Avery thought it would be "cool" to stick a popcorn kernel up her nose, after many excruciating minutes, tears and digging it out with a hair dye stick she soon came to realize how "uncool" her choice to stick it up her nose was. Luckily, Ryan is specialized on how to handle these type of things and with the hands like a seasoned surgeon, delicately removed the foreign object from the sinus passage.

We are glad she is ok and that she survived this traumatic ordeal.

We are Alive.

Some family and friends have been wondering if we are still alive down here in the south! And I am happy to report we are alive, and well. However, Ryan and I are definitely feeling homesick for our family and good friends we have left behind. It's been awhile since I have updated our blog and I like to keep up on it as it has turned into more or less our family journal. It's nice to be able to record our happenings and also share it with those closest to us. Not a lot to report on this month but it has been a busy one. We are still adjusting to our new surroundings; our new house, new ward, new friends, new job, new callings, new school for Madisen, and the weather. Although, the weather has been the easiest adjustment for us the other adjustments will come with time I am sure. :) Even though we miss our old ward, friends, and family we feel very blessed to be here in Texas and we know we were meant to come to this part of Texas and be in this ward for a reason. Which reasons, we are already coming to know, which makes us feel even more humbled as we know Heavenly Father is always there for us, teaching us and guiding us in our life. It's amazing to see His hand in everything. 

Anyway, my parents and Ryan's parents don't get to see the girls much, except for on Skype every once in awhile, so these video's are for them. Of course you can watch too, if you dare =).

Warning: This first video demonstrates how NOT to sing. It may cause unpleasant sounds to your ears...

Can't say I didn't warn you!

(And to those friends who say my house is never dirty...LOOK here's proof that it is! haha!)

In this next video Avery caught a bad case of the "sneezes" and well, Emily thought it was pretty hysterical.

These last videos are of Bubbies, I mean Emily, TALKING! She is really starting to talk!!! 

...If ONLY we could understand what she is saying...hmmm.

And I can't forget Pictures! Here's a few recent ones from this month:

This was a really cool scripture book I made for Primary. It's laying down in this picture, but it's six feet tall by 4 feet wide. It has four sides with hinges so it opens just like a book. I really liked how it turned out and thought I would share it. I printed the letters with my Circuit machine. Every month in Primary we have a scripture character come out of the book and share their story with the kids. This month we had "Sam" Nephi's brother come dressed in character and talk to the kids about his father Lehi and his brother Nephi and getting the gold plates. It was so neat! And the kids loved seeing him come to life!

Avery and Madisen love getting in their "princess" dresses. They love getting pictures taken when they are "princesses".

How did this picture get on here? And who's kid is that?

Anyway...moving on....

This is the coolest park I have ever been too! It's got everything a kid could imagine! Castles, walkways, slides, swings, tires, cars, houses, ropes and a prison! The girls love going to this park a few times a week.

 Here they are up above waving to me!

 Emily exploring...

Emily crying as she did NOT want to leave... 

Emily back at home and happy with her ONE shoe....

Hope everyone is doing well! 

New Year's Resolutions

Happy New Year everyone!!! I am really excited about 2011. I think it's going to be a great year, I just feel it! We partied hard...till 8pm last night. I know, late huh? 

Emily, Avery and Madi bringing in the New Year with Style.

Family bringing in the New Year by playing Wii.

Spare! good job Madi!

Kisses all around

Yay for ice cream!

Emily takes eating her ice cream very seriously.

Everyone make a New Year's Resolution already??  So I gotta be honest here, I have never really gotten into the whole "New Year's resolutions", unless that means just the month of January, excluding weekends, holidays and "I'm too tired" days. haha!

Everyone has made New Year's goals through out their life some year or another, but not many people actually go a WHOLE year keeping that resolution. I would say it's pretty slim that most people do. I am not trying to be negative in saying that, just saying most people I know, including myself, set a New Year's resolution but seem to give up or stop for some reason, usually only a few weeks into January!

For example, if you have ever gone to the gym the first week of January, there are tons of people there, vigorously working out! However, by mid-Jan, not as many and by the end of January you wonder if there was a fire alarm, because you and the tough guy benching 350 lbs were the only ones not notified that the gym was closed. It's almost hysterical...and would be if I didn't find myself being one of the people quiting by the end of January. So why is that? Why do so many people make new "year" resolutions and only get through the first month?

I am also troubled that we seem to have to wait till New Year's to make these "life changing" commitments and promises to do better or to be a better friend, mom, dad, sister,wife, etc. Why do we wait till New Year's Day?

Many New Year's resolutions seem to be commitments of some sort to a diet plan, workout or exercise routine, which only last again through the first few weeks and they are right back where they started from. Discouraged and eating a box of chocolate chip cookies dipped in chocolate while watching the Biggest Loser...oh, wait, that's just me. :)

This post sounds so discouraging, doesn't it!!??

I am sorry, really I am. I will get off my soap box now.

This Year, I will be better, promise. =)

I have to say that my husband has made me a little more optimistic about conquering a New Year's Resolution than ever before. Why? Well this last year, as I have mentioned in a previous post, his goal was to not drink ANY pop/soda for an ENTIRE year. And he did it! I was so shocked. I honestly didn't think he could do it. For his love of pop is as great as my love for chocolate chip cookies! So in honor of my husband who stuck by his Resolution last year here he is drinking his first Root Beer in a year.

wait for it....

Happy New Year! chug, chug, chug...

   Ahhhh!

 His response, "It doesn't taste as good as I thought it was going to."

HUH?

Anyway, I know this post is long enough, but I wanted to share my resolution for this year...this may be easy for some of you but for me it's challenging...

Working out AT least three times a week. (or more if I feel so inclined). 

And my month of January resolution: I am giving up sweets for a month! 

What is your resolution?