Monday, December 31, 2007

New Year's Eve 2007


This year for New Year's Eve we decided to stay home in the comfort of our own home. We had a wonderful time with my parents, sister, brother and their families. We played "Are you Smarter Than A 5th Grader (I think I need to go back to school (ha ha), Taboo, etc" Toasted the New Years and probably ate too much food, but everyone including the kids had a great time.

Happy New Year!!!

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Logged In for 13 Months


Today we were officially logged in for 13 months. Bitter sweet. Glad to have 13 months behind us, but disappointed that I feel we haven't yet made a dent in moving ahead. All in due time I guess. I plan on hanging in there. It's going to be a long...long.. journey, but it will be well worth it in the end. This is truly a test of patience and trust.

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

December Cybershower


Corinne, Joe, & Maggie Beth

Thank you for the very creative gifts. I love the moody bear. What a great idea, I didn't even know they sold these. All the gifts are so wonderful. The Pink Oink bank is so precious and I can't wait to start saving for her. The little reindeer slippers will keep her tiny toes and feet nice and cozy. I look forward to reading the Five Little Puppies to Kayla and putting her pictures in the baby bottle photo album. I also loved the Christmas Tree wooden puzzle. I received your package Christmas Eve just prior to leaving for my sisters and my little boy Rylan (2 1/2 yrs old) actually started crying cause he wanted the puzzle, so I hope you don't mind, but I gave in and he now says "mine" "mine".

Thank you for all the terrific gifts and I hope you and your family have blessed and safe holiday.

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Christmas Day


















Merry Christmas!!!

Each year my sister and I alternate who gets to have mom and dad spend the night at their house. We started this tradition 4 years ago and I cherish it every time. This year it was my turn for mom and dad (hip hip hooray). We all had such a wonderful Christmas together. I honestly have to save that I have the best parents. They are so wonderful and the kids can never get enough of grandma and grandpa "Pa".

After our celebration at my sisters house, mom and dad settled in at our house and then we prepared for bedtime. We made hot cocoa and then Craigy, our oldest, read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" to all of us. Daddy sneaked out and when I looked up he was video taping Craigy reading the story. This will be a tradition that I will forever hold near and dear my heart.

Afterwards, the kids scrambled to their bedrooms, although once in there they were a little too anxious to fall asleep, so needless to say, Santa didn't come to our house till almost morning, but he made it (he he).

As you can tell, the boys were very excited with all their toys and Rylan got a bike.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Monday, December 24, 2007

Christmas Eve 2007









Every year we gather at my sisters house on Christmas Eve and have a big dinner of Ham, Turkey, casseroles, and all the fixings. We have our parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and cousins. We start off by eating at 1:30 p.m. and then after we have a full belly move to the living room to open up our gifts from each other. Afterwords we fill up on dessert and packup and head off to church and then head to bed in time for Santa.

Christmas time is my favorite time of the year. I love being able to sit by the warm cozy fireplace and take time for rest and relaxation and enjoy each others company. I especially enjoy seeing the excitement and watching the twinkle in each child's eyes as they open their gifts. Wrapping paper and boxes flying everywhere and the complete and utter craziness of the kids excitement.



I feel very blessed to have such a loving, caring, and devoted family. I can't image a Christmas without my family. This year was sad without Grandpa, but I know he's up there in heaven telling his oh.... so many jokes. He was a very special man and a terrific grandpa. We love and miss you Grandpa. Merry Christmas.

Thank you Secret Buddy for Dec, Jan, and Feb










It's a pleasure to meet my new (not so secret) secret buddy. I
noticed that you're from Novia Scotia. It's nice to meet others
from all over.

Thank you for our December, January, and February secret buddy
gifts. We loved everything from the soft fleece pink blanket, to
the Asian figure ornament to the personalized snowman ornament. I
absolutely fell in love with the snowman ornament that was
personalized with each family members name including the "waiting
for Kayla". That was so incredibly thoughtful of you. Thank you
also for the maple cream candle. I love candles.

Thanks again for everything and we anxiously await to see out next
surprise in March. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and Happy
and safe New Year.

Hair Bow Swap (December)


Thank you to the Campbell family for the adorable red bow with the festive green ceramic Christmas tree. I hope some day soon Kayla can wear it. It will look adorable with her black hair.

Thank you Bib Swap Buddy (December)


Thank you to the Darlington family for the most precious bibs. We received a pink bib that reads "I love my Daddy" oh, how I can't wait for Daddy to be able to wear this on his little girl. We also loved the red Christmas bib "santa's little helper" with the cutest little penguin. We are all so anxious for the day we have our little girl and little sister home for her first Christmas. We have a long wait, but we'll wait patiently for her....ok maybe not so patiently (he he).

Saturday, December 22, 2007

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Review Room Through October 31, 2006


What's this mean? This means that we are now in the review room. It's nail biting time. I've so anxiously awaited this moment and now that it's here and I just want it to be over and hear that me and all my fellow November buddies made it thru with flying colors. Let's hope that this month gets thru review quickly, so that we can move on from Dept. 1 (Review Room) to Dept. 2 (Matching Room).