Things that confuse me

• why do I always lose a sock in the dryer?
• where does the dust come from?
• how can Irelyn be so happy and then the next second screaming and crying for no reason?
• how my car got scratched on the hood
• why there are always dishes on the counter next to the sink
• why does Sleeping Beauty have purple eyes?
• why is my AV Trader Joe's not open yet?
• the annoying Kindergarten cut-off date that no one follows...
• why they put onions and hot sauce on Taco Bell burritos- yuck!
• why the food just disappears around here
• why everyone just can't get along

10 things I loved about 2008

In no particular order-

1. Going to Portland, Oregon in May. It was a great trip, we did so many fun things... except that I got sick on the plane.

2. Starting my job in September. It has been a true blessing- what else can I say?

3. Watching Irelyn play on her first soccer team.

4. Getting in touch with so many new and old friends on facebook.

5. The little weekend getaways that George and I had. They were much needed :)

6. Celebrating new babies, new marriages etc. with lifelong friends.

7. Everything we did this summer! The parks, the beach, the time with cousins...

8. Going to Disneyland!!!!!! We just renewed our passes so we are looking forward to more good times in '09!


9. Our wonderful, amazing neighbors! Raising kids(or kid) would not be as much fun if they weren't around.

10. Irelyn! She is just so funny, sweet, caring, thoughtful, and fun to be around. She makes our lives fuller and we are so lucky that God gave her to us :)

I probably could keep going and I'm sure I forgot some... Happy '09 to you!!!!!!!!

After Christmas

I can't even begin to describe the past 2 days... Nor do I have the brain power to write right now. So, I'm only posting pictures until later :)

Polar Express Bell

Christmas morning at our house

Trevor(9), Irelyn(4), Zac(7), Kanaya(6), Lauren(4)- bowling on Christmas Eve

December 21

Only a few more days...and Irelyn is about to burst with excitement. Last year she kind of understood Christmas, but this year she really does. She walks around singing Christmas songs and "todays holiday music- KOST 103.5!" It so cute and I love the Christmas spirit she has.

We have been making Christmas cookies for the past few days and I think I am "cookied" out! We made about 150 sugar cookies on Thursday and had to frost them. They are my absolute favorite- my mom has this special recipe that we have been making since I can remember. The cookies have a little lemon extract in them and they are so light and soft. And the frosting is just a powdered sugar glaze :) We gave most away and saved a few for Santa.

2008 has been a great year. A few new adjustments to our life occurred and we are still waiting to find out on a few more. I can already see that 2009 will hold some wonderful things for us :) I hope that you enjoy your Holidays and that 2009 has exciting new adventures for you.

Tuesday

Christmas through the eyes of a child is so much fun!

Irelyn came down this morning and saw presents wrapped under the tree. She immediately went over to read the tags and had a huge smile when she saw that most were for her. She turned around and said "Someone must love me a lot!"

We went to look at Christmas lights last night and Irelyn said "Wow blue lights. That's a creative way to decorate your house."

My parents have a Santa and Mrs. Claus...I don't even know what you call them, but they were Coca Cola displays at least 40 years ago and they are each about 4 feet tall. They have velvet suits on. Oh gosh, I should have taken a picture of them, but now they are back in their caskets in the attic. Back to the story- they haven't been out of the attic since Irelyn was born so she has never seen them. They used to be my favorite Christmas decoration...I would sometimes put them in the window so that people passing by could see them. So, when my dad brought them down Irelyn took one look and left the room. She wouldn't talk to anyone about it or go back into the room. And back up to the attic Mr. and Mrs. Claus went...


George and I just crack up at all of the things she says lately. She has such a funny sense of humor.

As I was writing this- Irelyn spilled glitter glue all over her art table and went into the bathroom and got the hand towels to clean up the mess. I love her for trying to help... Laundry here I come

Secret Santa

We have Secret Santa's at work and ever since I told Irelyn about it she has been wanting a Secret Santa of her own. Well, guess what appeared in my stocking at work? 2 presents for Irelyn! She was so excited and it was better to watch her open a surprise present then to open my own. I still don't know who my Secret Santa is, but I have a pretty good idea. How thoughtful was she to give Irelyn something?

And...some news I have to write down. Irelyn sang in the Christmas show at school last night. She didn't cry or anything. I was convinced she wouldn't do it because 3 days before at church she didn't. She cried and wouldn't even go on stage. So, jokingly George and I made a bet. I wasn't trying to bet against Irelyn, but I was going with the odds. I lost the bet, but I'm so happy she got up there and had fun :)

woohoo!

Irelyn turned her car into a sleigh for Christmas time. We took her to the park that we used to go cardboard sliding/ice-blocking at when we were kids. We took her to the smaller hill to start. She loved it!

awww

There's not much better than Daddy coming home from a trip

Finally!

They are done! Yay! In order- George, Irelyn, Me

Getting ready for Christmas

Although I claimed to be boycotting the moving of Santa we (of course) went to see him at his new location.... And they did a great job. Mrs. Claus was a little weird, but the whole set up was super cute. Irelyn is sort of liking Santa but she really just wants the candy cane. I think she has already seen Santa at least 5 times.

Cookie decorating at Santa's with Gaga and Papa

I've been wanting to make our family stockings for years, but have never done it. So, here they are- not completed of course. I'm hoping they will be ready to hang after the weekend. They will be much cuter :)

Christmas List

This is Irelyn's Christmas List this year. She has some crazy items on there-isn't that the fun of a Santa list though? You can ask for anything! I can't wait to see what she gets.

She mailed it to the North Pole and should receive a letter back any day.