Where to begin...

...maybe with the new year. I have been walking around in a haze the last couple of days. Nothing to get done and nothing to do. I don't know what to do with myself after the craziness of Christmas and my sister's wedding. Just so I remember what has happened since Thanksgiving...I am going to digress.

Went to Maui with the kids and Clint and Christie!!! Had J.J.'s Star Wars Themed party with 19 kids (WHAT WAS I THINKING)...Best part, the Darth Vador Pinata. My birthday was uneventful this year and that was perfectly fine with me. Up to Idaho for Christmas and 8 days of getting everything ready for my sister's wedding. Sister's wedding on the 30th (I was the photographer). I think everything turned out great except for me trying to get used to my new flash. Drive home...new years eve was at home. I think I was asleep before the ball even dropped. The last week we have all been sick with the cold and flu. I think we are all starting to feel better. So, I am now ready to start the new year.

Here is what we sent home with the kids for a thank you. (of course with their own picture).

HAWAII!!

Mike and Saundra...aren't they adorable?

I looked over my New Year Resolutions from last year, and I accomplished all of them except one (lose weight). Why is this always the bane of my existence? So this year, it isn't even going to be a resolution. Of course I am still going to be healthy and try, but I am NOT making it a resolution. This year, only one resolution. Find Joy in everyday, no matter how crazy. So, since i am behind, I have a few for today...

1. old school Sarah Mclaughlin. It reminds me of making out with my husband in college. JOY!
2. Cate saying "cupcake". It is adorable. i always ask her to say it because it is so cute.
3. How do you find joy in sick kids...I think the joy is that they will cuddle with you. Cate does not like to snuggle and so that is the joy...she will snuggle with me.
4. instead of getting irritated that my husband doesn't replace the trash bag when he takes the trash out, I am going to be happy that I have a husband that will take the trash out. Thank you honey!
5. I am even going to be joyful about the cold weather...How? hmmm...I am joyful because I can stay inside and finish a really good book in less than 24 hours. There, I did it.
6. J.J. learning to spell. Whenever he wants me, he says M-O-M. It makes me smile. I am not going to be sad that he is growing up so fast. Well, maybe a little.

More tomorrow.

Naughty or Nice

I know I have been Naughty and have not posted in a few weeks or more. Naughty list for me! Everything is great. What has happened? Trevor's best friend got married, my sis is getting married, Trevor's step-grandma passed away, and J.J. and Cate are growing up. We had a great Halloween...Cate was a bumble bee and J.J. was Optimus Prime. Here is a little story that I do not want to forget that makes me smile.

One of J.J.'s friends was not sharing the other day, and after he went home he was complaining that his friend never shares and if it was his toy he would be nice and share. After explaining this to me he stood there for a second and let out a sigh and said very matter of factly, "I guess he is on the Naughty list." Then he shrugged his shoulders as if it was very sad that he was and there was nothing he could do about it. These are the moments that make all of the stressed-want-to-scream moments worth it.
Did I mention that Cate fell and hit her head again? Oi!

Same old, same old...

Did I really think I would change? I guess this is how my updating goes. All or nothing! So, here it goes. Here is my ode to summer. We already miss you!

J.J.

We spent most of our time at Cherry Hill water park...probably 1-2 times a week. You would think I had some pictures. Well, here is the only one I took all summer. I am such a slacker.

J.J. and Jack at Cherry Hill

We also went boating. Not as much as we wanted, but we did get out a few times. We are still hoping there is one day left in the boat.

J.J. again with Jack


This summer J.J. grew up! He would go outside at 9:30 am and play until bedtime playing with Jack, Cade, and Connor. They would ride bikes at the rally, go to the park, sell lemonade or ottor pops, and play basketball. He learned how to ride his bike. Thanks Jack! He had a blast! He would also go to the driving range with dad and go flying with dad. It was hard for me to let him be outside by himself, but he would stay in his boundaries, and I would check on him every 20 minutes. He loved it! Now, all of his friends are in school and he is getting really bored...any good ideas for indoor activities with mom???


He would also go to the driving range with dad and go flying with dad. To be a kid again...


Cate

She grew up too. She is now walking, talking, and dancing. She loves to dance and sing. She also LOVES puppies. In fact, that was her first word. She is always carrying a little puppy around, and we had to visit the next door neighbors dog every day this summer. She has quite a few words now that she says; puppy, mommy, daddy, j.j., baby, eye, nose, ear, mouth, fingers, dance, bottle. She loves her bigger brother and always wants to do what he is doing. She is still climbing everything (even after her skull fracture). Oi!



Trevor

I think he enjoyed his summer too. He was golfing and flying a lot. He even competed in a flying competition and did pretty good. I think his favorite part of summer was his trip to Alaska with the boys. (I know. I bet you thought I was going to say Paris). I am sure he loved that too. He spent a lot of the summer studying for the GRE. He passed and is now getting his MBA. He has school every Tuesday and Thursday nights. It's only for two years. Only.



If you look closely, there are two brown bears right across the river from them

Me

I have had a great summer as well. I checked a few things off of my life list. Go to a tennis open...check. I was able to go to two tennis opens (French, US). Travel the world...check. I went to France and NYC. Run a half marathon...check. I ran the Mesa Falls Half Marathon in August. It was probably the hardest thing that I have ever done. But, it was definitely worth it. Now, I have to get the mindset to run a marathon so I can check that off my life list. As for the rest of the time, I played mom. Good thing I like being a mom. Only drawback...sometimes I am so busy being mom, I forget how to be Nicole. So, I am glad that this summer reminded me a little bit of how to be me.

THANK YOU, Crystal. I couldn't of done it without you.

See the Tetons behind me.

French Open-Federer accepting the trophy, and Andre Agassi there to present it to him.I wish I could say that our lives are going to slow down, but they aren't. J.J. has started preschool and soccer. I am now on a tennis league. First one in my life. I love it! Trevor is busy with work and going to school. As quoted in Spaceballs and by J.J., we are traveling at "ludicrous speed!"