Decorating the Christmas Tree

This year was so much fun decorating the tree. Addie helped by making a pile under the tree of ornaments, it was so funny. Dilan and Haylee hung so many ornaments this year. I basically did the top of the tree and unwrapped them. Andre took lots of pictures (normally that's my job). We listened to Christmas music on the TV, sang and had hot chocolate.

Happy Thanksgiving

We celebrated Thanksgiving at my Mom and Arthur's house. It was so much fun. The kids had a ball that day. Andre was in charge of the turkey. I made the stuffing and my mom cooked the rest. It was also the Anniversary of my Dad's death, 15 years.

#8 for Dilan

Tooth #8 came out for Dilan! WOW, those things are falling out like crazy.

MOMS Club Fire Station Tour

Today we took a tour of our local fire station. The kids all had a blast. Well, Addie stayed attached to my leg the entire time but every other kid loved it. The tour was special because my friend Nicole who works for NBC Channel 12 did a news story on our kids on how to inexpensively give. All the kids brought stuffed animals to give to kids when the fire fighters go to a call. Haylee got to be on TV and everything!

Christmas Card Pictures

This year I decided to brave Christmas card pictures by myself. I wanted the pictures to be a surprise for my mom for Christmas. I generally have her as back-up at the Picture People for the disastrous hour that will happen. Well this time I decided to actually hire a photographer and go to The Fairmont Princess. I had an entire new set of elements to handle this time. Three kids, fancy clothes, the outdoors, me and a new photographer. In all, it actually went pretty well. Addie was a tough cookie but I got shots that were printable. The only thing I didn't think of was that my mom would get her XMAS card and go when did you do this? So I gave her the 11x14 early and she loved it!

Silver Strand 1/2 Marathon

On November 15, 2009 I completed my very 1st 1/2 marathon in 3 hours and 43 minutes. I know it took forever but I did finish. Wahoo! It was a fun filled girls weekend with great friends. We stayed in Carlsbad at the Deatsch's "Beatsch" house which was so nice. Betty always has posh accommodations for all of Natalie's friends :) We had fabulous dinners (lots of carbs), blistered and bloody feet, lots of limping but in all, totally worth it. Thank you to Natalie for being our chauffeur during and after the race. Great job to my fellow Carlsbad racers, Katy, Jen and Jessica!

Shari's Baby Shower

I spent a weekend in Carlsbad for a half marathon and was fortunate enough to be able to attend one of my oldest and dearest friends baby shower. This is Shari's first baby and it was so wonderful to be able to share this day with her.

Poor Addie

Out of nowhere Addie came up to me and said, "I don't feel good, tummy hurts." By the next day she was vomiting with 104.9 temperature. Addie has been sick a lot as we all know but this is the worst I have ever seen her. She went to see Dr. Kanagal the next day and she thinks it was probably swine flu. She started immediately on Tamiflu which helped her and in 24 hours she was doing great. Nobody else in the house got it thankfully.