on the eve of a new year...

it seems appropriate to look back at this year we are soon to complete...
2012
another year filled with blessings, laughter...and countless memories
as I looked back through the pictures looking for one to capture each month
I revisted and remembered many moments shared with family and friends,
many ordinary moments etched in my memory, the milestones, birthdays and
vacations.  The smiles of all those faces who fill my days...
what a gift this year has been, how incredible blessed I am...
looking forward to 2013
can't wait to see it unfold....

poptart maker...

 

 

a find while shopping...loved the idea of being able to make our own poptarts
those packaged ones no longer make it in our cart...too many bad ingredients as the kids would say
but here is an option that made all of us happy, make our own using ingredients that mom approves of
a win, win...and judging by the smiles as they ate their poptarts, the kids agreed too.

after christmas clearance...

rocks!
I had looked at this set a week earlier and decided that the sticker price was just a bit much..
saturday while roaming the toy aisle in target (I have a weakness for toy aisles, and Target)
I glanced up and there on the top shelf was the duplo train set..I pulled it down and almost did a happy dance in the aisle, the price was a lot closer to half the original price and that was the most awesome discovery!  naturally it went into my cart...yesterday I set about assembling the set. 
much to reyna and pedro's excitement..
and today that excitement continued when the daycare kids discovered the new train set

 

 

 

 

pancakes for breakfast...

 

they thought it was an awesome idea

the end of a long day

 

we spent the day in mankato...leaving the house at 8am
rosie and yahaira had went to mankato the night before to stay with beckie and cassandra
we spent the day running errands, some of us went to a movie (cassandra anthony, grace and I) The Hobbit, there was some shoping, one must go to target especially for after christmas bargains.
we went out to eat with beckie...and finally two carfuls took in the lights at sibley park, the first time for gracie and rosie...a very long, full, busy day.  a picture of those coming home we got home after 8 (yes 12 hours we were gone), anthony, yahaira and gracie stayed with beckie and cassandra until monday...it was quiet around our house with just three kids home...but we were all excited to see anthony and yahaira return today.

Anthony's turn

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Sledding at sibley park

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Sibley park light display ...round two

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a group shot

is never easy. never.
it had been my plan to do this earlier in the day
the shirts were a gift from my sister thus solving the what to wear thing.
this happened late on christmas day, and by then moods and energy were
a little bit interesting...
I count it a success if all 7 are in the photo and no one is sobbing

christmas morning

santa brought her an apron and a cake pop machine
so now my little chef will be able to cook to her little heart's delight

a new helicopter had him busy the entire day

a lego princess castle...had the inner princess in her singing

a new doll with glasses just like her

and stockings for the older ones
I heard him say I needed this to the toothbrush and shower gel

both girls said yes I can shave
apparently those needed necessities that filled their stockings were indeed a hit

 

Merry Christmas!

from our family to you...

Twas the night before Christmas....

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so blessed

to share this holiday with so many friends, and family
a full house and laughter is the best gift.

 

 

ryan and amy were home for christmas with ryan's family
so thrilled that took some time out of their stay to visit with us.

Christmas eve

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all home for christmas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

best gift ever!