Welcome 2011

This is the year! The year I am going to lose weight, the year I am going to pay down debt, the year I am going to get my tonsils out, the year that I ? I can finish this sentence in so many ways. I am excited for this year. Out with the old and in with the new. I am itching to clean my house out! I want to donate and throw out all of my stuff!

So, I haven't worked out in months. I am always making excuses that I don't have time and the house work and laundry come first. Well, not this year! I am putting myself first for once. The laundry and dishes will wait!!!! My body needs me! and need it. I need to get healthy for me and for my kids. I am tired of wearing tight ugly clothes. I am tired of being self conscious all the time. I am just plain tired.

This is going to be a great year! New healthy habits will hopefully take control!!!!

Happy Birthday to me!

I have to say I had a great birthday this year. I did have to work the night before and early morning of my birthday, but that is okay, I took a vacation day for my actual day. I slept until 5 in the evening then spent time with my fam. My kids were so excited to share my day with me. They wished me happy birthday so many times and were just so kind and loving. They made me feel so special! I love those kids!

My mom had a few free hotel rooms at the local casino so we decided to try our luck. I lost, but I had a great time. My kids had fun too, yes they went to the casino, but they didn't play slots, they played in the hotel pool and had a blast.

Allie even said, "Mom, can I have my birthday here too?" ha ha...it would be funny to say that my 7 year olds birthday will take place at the casino. Anyway, it is nice to stay in a FREE hotel room!

We celebrated with some ice cream cake too which was delish!

Happy 32nd birthday to me!

snow day!

First snow day of the year....

This is what I see when I look out my front window....it is so pretty...

and here is what's inside....kids playing Wii.

Maddie's quiet again....

Baby power!

wait...

I mean Baby Powder!

The whole room smelled really nice....but you could taste the powder in your mouth! Yeah, there was powder everywhere!

Holiday fun

We went to a local light display a few days ago and it was lots of fun. We had some great quality family time and it was pretty affordable. This place had lights, horse carriage rides, games, face painting, Santa, rides, and more.

Gracie's first picture with Santa !

Did you notice who didn't take a pic with Santa? Yes, Maddie did not want anything to do with the jolly old man. She was terrified and cried and screamed. So,....we didn't make her take a pic.

The kids had such a good time. This is what they looked like when we got home! (Maddie and Gracie were also asleep.)

play time

I love how Gracie is watching Maddie ..... and how just minutes before Maddie placed all these toys out for Gracie to play with....just melts my heart.

four, five, and six

Where do I begin? I have so much to catch up on! Gracie has been growing like a weed and I am trying to keep up. Here she is at around 4 months old! Rocking the Buckeye wear.

Gracie at 5 months old...

Baptismal day with big sister and cousin Ryan

All three of my girls have worn this gown for Baptism...I hope some day, one of their girls can wear it.

Here she is sitting up like a big girl!

We went to the doctor today for her 6 month well baby check up. She is weighing in at 15 pounds and 9 oz. which puts her at the 43rd percentile and she is 26 inches long which places her in the 61st percentile.

Gracelyn is a bundle of joy! But she can be quite the drama queen at times....only happy when she is held by someone who is standing up....YES you have to stand up or else she will cry. Spoiled.. She does not sleep through the night yet....maybe one day....I can only hope! She refuses to eat solids! FLAT OUT REFUSES! She closes her mouth tight and swats at the spoon and makes a big mess everywhere. She just started sitting up on her own for a couple of weeks now...getting ready to make that move to start crawling. Not sure if I am ready for that yet. We are still nursing which we are both loving. Her nickname is Gracie Poo.

These past few months have been uneventful....except maybe for the day she fell off the changing table! That was a little scary.....but she was fine...just cried it out for a few minutes....no brain damage!

Life around here has been pretty hectic....cant seem to catch up with housework and organization which is making me grouchy. As long as I can keep up with pictures, I think I might be able to survive this time in my life with 2 kids in diapers and 2 kids in grade school...

we shall see.

Happy half year Gracie Poo!