My "best" of 2009

Brandon took 1st place in the Big Horn Nationals. 8 and under 40 pounds...

Family days spent at the pool...

Tap Out...I love that your a rough and tough boy one minute and a cuddle bug the next

Alyssa dancing the roll of Fritz in the 2009 Nutcracker. She was amazing and we were very proud!

1st place in a California Jiu Jitsu tournament

Watching Alyssa dance.

More family days...

Brandon was in the spelling bee

Alyssa graduated from the DARE program

We always love to watch her dance...

Brandon took 1st place in the Beehive Brawl...6 and under 40 pounds

Another great year with my hubby....we marked 11 years of marriage in January

Brandon placed 3rd in the state for Greco, Freestyle and Folkstyle

My best friend, Jess, had a beautiful baby girl in March

Gabriella took her 1st steps...FINALLY at 16 months old


2009 was good to us. Sure, like everyone else we had our share of ups and downs with the crappy economy, but we made it through. I could go on and on with a list of things that made 2009 a special/memorable year for both good and bad reasons. I'll spare you all of that. :) I learned a lot this year. I discovered that I have a pretty awesome family. Always knew I did, but this year made me see how blessed I am. I'm looking forward to 2010...it will be intresting to see what this year has in store for us. :)

Rose Petal Cottage

Let me first say that Gabriella LOVES her house. It's so cute and though when it's all set up it takes up a TON of room, it does pack away nicely.
Now, allow me to vent. The instructions to put it together SUCKED! building the frame....piece of cake. Putting the LARGE canvas cover on. Well, I just about went crazy. It didn't help that a certain way excited someone kept going in the house...
in the end the cottage is all put together. I have enjoyed many home cooked meals prepared especially for me by Gabriella in her washer machine. She's a happy girl so that means I am a happy mommy.

Christmas at Great Grandmas

Christmas Morning...

We had a great Christmas. Thanks for all Jeff's long hours at work we were able to provide everything on the kids lists and never once touched a credit card. YAY!
Santa brought LOTS of Legos, Little People, a Netbook computer for Alyssa and TONS of other things too. I purchased a new cell phone for Jeffrey as his gift. I was so proud of myself...thinking I had actually kept a secret. Come to find out after the fact I had the stupid shipping confirmation emailed to Jeff. DUH!
I can't believe another Christmas has come and gone. Time really does fly!

Gift of Lights

Besides the bright flash of the camera this girl is in heaven...Starbucks and Christmas lights...life is good!



Our yearly tradition is the Gift of Lights at Sunset Park. The kids and I along with Grandma make the drive thru trip every year. This year was extra fun as Gabriella LOVES Christmas lights!

Brandon's Class Party...

The Friday before Christmas I was able to sneak away from work early and Gabriella and I got to help out in Brandon's class.
I LOVE his teacher. I have to admit as a member of the PTA we are usually given the choice of teachers. She was not my 1st choice...mainly because I really didn't know much about her. Again I say this is a time where God stepped in. She is so good with him. She is very involved and loves what she does. I am so thankful for her!
They made "moose munch" aka popcorn, pretzels, white chocolate and I think nuts all mixed up. They also sang Jingle Bells and Gabriella joined in too. I'm glad I had the chance to be there. I know Brandon was excited to have his sister in class to show off. :)

Christmas at my moms...

On Christmas Eve we celebrated Christmas with my mom and sister, Julie. As usual the kids were showered with TONS of gifts. Jeff and I got our new Oven...wooo hooo. I tell you, I love having a nice new oven. We've been busy baking. Brandon got a bunch of Lego sets, Alyssa got her American Girl doll...I believe it was Chrissa. That one with the one Santa brought brings her total of American Girl dolls to 5. Gabriella got the entire Rose Petal Cottage set! (more to come on that)
Of course they also got clothes and other toys too. Jeff was sick that night and was supposed to work. Lucky for us...he was sent home and was able to enjoy a little bit of the night. Even if it was just to build a Lego set.