1. We spent Thanksgiving at my sisters cabin in Island Park with my family. It was so fun!! We went Hookie-Bobbin' behind the four-wheelers (the four-wheeler pulls you in a sled). That is always so much fun!! We ate a lot! Played in the Hot Tub! The guys went ice fishing to Henry's Lake! Slept! Ate some more! Played games! Ate some more! It was so much fun!! This is 11 of us in the hot tub...at one point there was thirteen! The other picture is my dad with one of the fish he caught ice fishing. They came back with quite a few pretty big fish! Good Job Boys!
2. We got our tree put up the Sunday after Thanksgiving! It has been such a pain to keep the little guy (Kelton) out of the tree! He has broken several ornaments, and our discipline is not working (little stinker). Our tree looks pretty similar to last years because I really didn't want to spend the money to go out and buy new stuff. Maybe next year I'll get some different ornaments and decor!
3. We had a new addition added to our family...not my family; my sister's. Sandra and Brandon Briggs welcomed a new baby girl into their family on December 8, 2009. They had to name her after her favorite aunt! No they did not name her Emily, but they did give her my middle name. It's also my Grandma Schnieters middle name. Ok ok, I'll tell you already they named her:
Taylee Ann Briggs
She is so beautiful and tiny. We just love her to death!!! Congratulations Sandra, Brandon, Bryson, and Hadlee!!!
4. Finances were pretty tight this year so we did a (almost) Homemade Christmas. It's after the new year and I am still working on a couple projects. For Brandon, I made an Ice Fishing Hut. I didn't get a picture of it because I had to be really sneaky about making it so I made it at my mom and dad's house with my mom and two of my brother's help and I didn't have a camera with me. Christmas morning I sat it up at 2:00 am and it was the first thing we pulled down before opening gifts so the boys could have room. I'll try and post a pic soon though. Brandon said he Loved it so, I am hoping he is being honest cause that thing took a lot of hard work. For the boys, my really good friend, Ruthan, gave us (well we still need to pay her but she won't name a price) a razor motorcycle and a power wheels truck. They both were faded and needed some minor mechanical work, but between I and Brandon we were able to get them cleaned up, painted, and we were also able to get them both up and running for Christmas morning. Yeah!! The Razor went to Kaython and the truck went to Kelton. We are probably going to need new carpetby the time spring gets here cause they drive them around the house like ALL day! It's fun to watch them love something so much that has been used. It goes to show that Christmas is not all about brand new items!
Here are some pics of the boys Christmas Morning:
Back to the Homemade Gifts. We drew family names. Brandon picked my brother-in-law Tony and I picked my brother-in-law Zack so we homemade Jerky for them. Long process....turned out fabulous! I think they liked it; I know Tony did cause he wouldn't share with anybody! I had my nephew Braxton. Braxton for some reason will not sleep in between his sheets. He will only sleep on his comforter with another blanket. He has the most adorable cowboy themed room and bedding that any other blanket just doesn't look right. Well on my search to find fleece to make Brandon's two nephews blankets, I found the most perfect cowboy themed fleece in the exact colors. I don't know how it happened, but it did and so I made him a fleece blanket. Kelton picked my niece Brindy so I assisted him in making her this adorable skirt and a watch with changeable bands. Here's the skirt:
For our Friends and Neighbor gifts we made Holiday S'More Kits! They were assembled with the graham crackers, chocolate, marshmallows, roasting sticks and directions. The whole family worked on these together and they ended up being SO cute! We also had to use them for teachers and co-workers as well!
5. It is a new year now! Welcome 2010!! I was supposed to work today (but of course got put on call) so, Brandon took the boys to my sister Anna's last night in Logan, Utah for their New Years Party and then to go ice fishing today. I stayed at home thinking I needed to get to bed early so I could get up early to go to work and not be dragging all day. What a waste of a New Years Eve. However, I got a lot of laundry done and got the boys toys a little bit organized and now I sit here blogging waiting for the phone to ring to tell me to come into work. I'm hoping if they don't call me in by 3, they'll let me have the rest of the day off and I'll ride to Logan with my mom. But who's to know what will happen at this point. Anyways, so to my New Years Resolution!! I could not think of anything I really wanted to make as a resolution until last night. Brandon has been talking about joining the gym and wanting me to too. I just don't know when I would get there. Yes, I need to lose weight, but if you are not 100% committed, it's not gonna happen. So, I was sitting here last night missing my family, reminiscing while painting my toenails and it occurred to me......for 2010 my New Years resolution is going to be based not only on me, but for my family as well! I'm Calling it a "Feeling Fabulous Family" Resolution!! Thirty minutes of exercise for the whole family at least three times a week. At least thirty minutes for the boys with mom and dad alone at least twice a week. Three fruits and vegetables a day..for everyone with one free day. At least one date night with my hubby each month; just the two of us! Visit at least two out of state relatives this year (the one's that we don't see often). And for me personally, I am going to find some time to pamper myself. I know it sounds selfish, but I really want to start feeling pretty again. I feel so blah lately that I think I need that boost that makes you feel good; wether it be as simple as painting my toenails, getting my hair cut or colored, to getting a pedicure or even going as far out as getting a message. I think a good self-esteem reflects on my boys and I want them to see me feeling good about myself, plus I want my hubby to be proud when he's with me, not embarrassed or ashamed (not that he has ever said or made me feel that he is, but I don't want him to have to hide it if he is). So, now I ask you.....what is your new year resolution?
I honestly and truely hope that 2010 will be a FABULOUS year for everyone! May it be the best year ever!!
