Ok so here are some pics (a small collection since there were a bazillion pics) from Dec. They are from the many Xmas's we had with family and friends, Beth's family baby shower, and other misc ones taken. They are in no particular order. Enjoy! :-)

Our family, Chrismas Day 2009

Whoa!! Cool present from Santa!!

Such a cutie pie!

Yeah!! I love presents!!

Opening gifts with Gma and Gpa Smith...a new shopping cart!!

Kisses and snuggles with Gma Bailey!

Girls Bake Day 2009...Addi actually got to help out this year!!

Ohhh Snow!!

We actually got a pretty good amount of snow...

Our little drummer girl!

Addi riding her new Choo-Choo train she got from Santa

Our house for Xmas...just call us the Griswalds!!

Dan and I walked into her room and yelled, "Merry Christmas!!!" I don't think she was quite awake yet. HEHE

In her pretty Xmas dress for Xmas at Grammy's

Uncle Todd and Addi girl playing on Xmas...

Such a silly girl!!

Our new little nephew, Baby Tyler...ETA: March 5th

Happy 2010!!

Well, it's finally 2010! A new year is upon us. Out with the old, in with the new. Gone is the bad, and here is hopefully a new year full of all good. Well that's the plan anyways. :-)

I really love this time of year. It's a time where I feel cleansed or at least the need to cleanse my life. Not sure exactly why now, as opposed to any other time of the year, except that every year around this time I feel the need to completely go through our closet and get rid of old stuff, organize and clean each room to a "T", start new projects and finish old ones, and of course start...or should I say...get back on a mini-diet and start working out again. Some of these are of course more fun than others LOL. But either way, they all kind of come about around this time of year. I guess most people think that way. We think of a new year as a new start in a way. Like we erased the chalkboard and get to start all over, fresh. Not really, but we all have that mind set. I know I do. Our family had a lot happen last year, both good and not so good. So starting a new year, with as crazy as a year as we have coming up, is kinda refreshing. Looking forward to new things and new changes and trying to not look back on some things that weren't so great is part of what makes the new year...just that, a new year.

Part One of my new year, new changes attitude is to, blog more. I never really liked writing papers or writing in general but as I've gotten older I've actually surprised myself and enjoy it. I know alot of people only check out my blog from time to time and of course it's mostly family, but even if no one read it, I think just being able to "talk" about my life happenings is some sort of release for me. So Part One is def off to a great start, more blogging. :-)

Part Two of my new year, new changes attitude is to get my house in order. I've been working two jobs for the last 6 months or so and it's really taken a toll on me physically and mentally...which makes sense because the more time I spend working, the less time I have for everything else. Which def would include my house. For instance. I have wanted to paint our bedroom since we moved into our house, which was about a year and a half ago, but just haven't because of time, money, or just will. Whatever it was, it just hadn't gotten done. But then last week in the midst of all the holiday madness, between work and family and everything else...I was sitting in our room staring at my completely plain tan walls and thought to myself, shoot I'm just gonna do it! So, I told Dan...Babe, were painting our room this weekend. No excuses, it's getting done. I've been wanting to do it and now that it's a new year it's time for a new room. He said alright, let's do it. So, Sunday while Addi was down for a nap, we did it. And let me tell you...it's looks awesome!! What a difference. What a difference such a small adjustment can make. And that's part of why I have this new attitude this year. I have let things slide and it makes a difference in how you feel and the overall flow of your life. So, a few more tweaks to our room and that part is done. Next is organizing the hall closet and cupboards, like organizing my scrap booking stuff for one, and then organizing the garage and getting all the "Crap" in there in order, and then finally the backyard. Which is quite a task because we need money to do what we want back there...but I think the few ideas we have for now will make a big difference for now until we're able to make major changes. So even though part two is an ongoing project for the whole year, it def feels good to have a goal to work towards and get my house back to normal.

Part three of my new year, new changes attitude is to (which I'm sure this won't surprise you...) start eating healthier and working out. I say this every year of course and usually I do pretty good, but eventually, after boat season winds down I slack off and get way out of shape. So this year, my goal is to lose the extra flab and to keep it off, for good. Also to have a healthier lifestyle. Eating better foods, like fruits and veggies, and cutting out the fast food and....the hardest part for me...the candy. I know, I'm like a 5 year old when it comes to candy. I love it and can never get enough of it. Sad, but so true. Dan makes fun of me all the time cause I can never just have one piece...I'll eat the whole bag. And because we have so many weddings this year and events that I would like to look slim and trim for, I figure now is as good a time as any to get with the program. Not that it'll be easy by any means, cause I will be the first to admit that I really don't like working out...but Dan and I are both on the same page and are willing to sweat it out, literally, to get in shape and get healthy. So with that, I'm hitting the treadmill tomorrow!! One last day to vege out and eat my fave, pizza. :-)

And the final part of my new year, new change attitude is just that...a new attitude. I'm the kinda person that stresses when there's not enough money, or my outfit isn't just right, or things don't go according to plan. I've def gotten better over the years, because we all know that with a baby you kinda just have to. But I've realized looking back on 2009 that I stressed ALOT about stuff that honestly, didn't really matter. Looking back I have realized that things have a way of working out somehow and in the end all will be OK.

So I guess my new year's resolution this year (if you want to call it that...) is to take things as I go and try to stress less, not just with money, but with everything in my life. This year...and from now on...I'm going to try to stress less, try to go with the flow, and try to not sweat the small stuff. And to go for what I want, without hesitation. My first order of business, start school! This year is going to be a year full of changes and new things, school being one of them. I know I'm def looking forward to starting a new career and starting this new year with a new attitude!! I'm hoping in the end it'll all pay off!

So with that, Happy 2010 everyone! And good luck with all of your "new years resolutions", whatever they may be....

PS...LOTS of pics to follow. My camera battery was dead, and then I couldn't find the battery charger. But now I've found it so I'll be posting pics from the end of 2009 shortly. :-) Thanks!

We're Back!!

OK, so I know I have been completely MIA for the last...well...SEVERAL months. I know it's been forever! Well, I have been very very busy to say the least. Working 2 jobs and trying to maintain a household, let alone be a good mother and wife has not been an easy task for me. It was def something that I thought would come more natural to me or at least flow alittle bit better than it has. Well, in any case, I had some inspiration from an old friend from college The Pinckney Family Blog and decided to jump back into it. Since it has been quite some time...there are tons of photos and updates so instead of just boring you with all the details...I will upload some recent photos of what's been happening in our lives and then from there simply start fresh. For family...if you would like all of our recent photos..I have them uploaded to snapfish and I can email you them all if you would like. Just let me know. OK well that's it for today. I'll be working on getting pics up in the next day or so so until then...ttyl.

Oh by the way...I must mention...in case you didn't know already...it SNOWED in Sacramento yesterday. Yep, I know it sounds too good to be true but it totally did!! It was awesome!! :-)

New pics

So it's been quite awhile since my last blog...I know, I know....but I must admit that things have been sooo crazy around our household!!! I guess just the fact that it is summer is reason enough because with summer comes tons of fun stuff....like going boating, swimming, BBQ'ing. All the fun stuff that fills up our nights and weekends :-) And, since so much has gone on, I think it would take forever to write about...So I think I will just share some recent photos that I've taken over the last couple of weeks. And since I am at least acknowledging the fact that I am slacking on this blog...I am hoping you will cut me some slack ;-) I will def try to keep on it as there is alot of stuff coming up these next couple of months including the big 1ST BIRTHDAY for my Addi girl!! As well as other birthdays, parties, and events. So....I hope everyone is having an amazing summer and we'll talk soon.... xoxo

Gpa Kruse & Gma Cheryl took Addi to her very first
River Cats game and make it extra special!! Check
out the scoreboard!! So cool huh!!?!?!





On June 19th our 2 best friends, Dave and Katie,
had their engagement party...they will be getting
married June 19th, 2010. Dan, Addi, and I are all
in the wedding and we are so honored that they choose
us to share in their special day...this day has been
a long time coming and we are sooo excited and
happy for them!!

Kate and I

The Bride and her Bridesmaids

Such a cool idea for a cake!!

Dan and Big Dave

The girls...


Friends xoxo

Meggy and I

Part of the "quadpod"..missing Meggy

Soon to be Mr. and Mrs. Greenly!!! YAY!!


Some new pics of Addi girl...which btw...now has 2
bottom teeth!!! It is soo freakin' cute when she
smiles and you can see her little teeth! Adoreable!!

My Baby girl!!

Her 2 bottom teeth!!


Raspberries!!!

Silly girl!!

Sooo beautiful!!

Her and that tupae!! Haha too funny!


And I had to throw this one in there...this is what happens
when Momma says "No"...total meltdown! ;-)

sad, sad, sad...

So I'm sure most of you have heard all of the news but I just wanted to say how sad it is that 2 great entertainments icons have passed on. The beautiful Farah Fawcett and pop icon Michael Jackson have died...AND on the same day. Crazy! I have been listening to the radio for the past few days and it's interesting to say the least at the response of the public to both of these deaths. We first heard about Farrah dying, which we all knew was a matter of time really, such a sad story. Cancer must be such a slow and painful death, one I hope that I never have to endure. I watched her story on 20/20 and it was inspiring...her courage, faith, and hope, and the shrill will to continue living. It was absolutely amazing and really an inspiration. I think that sometimes, not always, but a lot of the time, we take for granted the simple pleasures of life...like our health and well-being and being able to do the simple things. Farrah has such a struggle these last 3 years and while its sad that she is gone, I almost feel a sense of relief for her and her family, that she is no longer trapped in her own body and now free of pain and suffering. If that makes sense...

Then in the same day, as a shock to all, pop icon Michael Jackson died from cardiac arrest!!! The news was crazy to say the least. Every media outlet from radio to web had update after update about his status, and unfortunately he ending up passing away. I think what's more sad than his actual death is that people are calling the radio stations saying that they are glad he is dead and one less child molester out there and so on. So sad. Whether or not he did the things he did or was crazy or whatever...which we all know he def had a screw loose up there...he was still a pop icon that changed the way we listened to pop music and changed the way we felt inside when we listened to his music. Now I will admit that I was not a fan when he started getting alittle cooky, starting I guess in the 90's or so, but I always loved his music. The 80's were the best by far with Thriller, Billy Jean, Man in the Mirror, and Beat it. It's funny cause we were just at the River Cats game last night with family and of course they were playing all of his old school songs and we were all rocking out :-) At that moment none of us were thinking about all the allegations or weird stunts he pulled, we were thinking of what an amazing artist he was and remembered how much we loved his music and how it made us feel when we listened to it. You all know what I am talking about...cause every time you hear Thriller you know you wanna bust a move too!! haha!

I guess my whole point to this post is that I feel bad that Farrah's death is being over shadowed by Michael Jackson's death and I feel sad that people are so quick to judge someone that they never even knew. That people are willing to remember someone for the negatives that happened in their life instead of the positives and the great things that they have given to us. Now, I am certainly not saying that Michael Jackson didn't do anything wrong...who knows really...but I do know that regardless of his personal actions, he was a POP ICON and he gave us GREAT music that I'm sure my children and even their children will continue to listen to in the years and decades to come. I hope that when I die people will remember me for the person I was inside and for the positive aspects of my life, instead of the things I did wrong and the negative things. I am hope that people do not speak ill of me after my death.

So, I guess I just wanted to say a few positive things in light of all the negative and remember these two icons for the positive things that they brought to our lifetime.

Thank you Farrah for making millions of young boys fantasies come to life and for giving us the feathered hair do...it will always live on!! ;-)

And MJ...thank you for all your amazing music. We will continue to listen to it for years to come!! You are a pop icon that will always be remembered for your amazing talents and of course for your famous "moonwalk".

And in memory of these two icons....
The BEAUTIFUL Farrah Fawcett

My favorite MJ song of all time....ENJOY!!


Photo of Farrah Fawcett can be found at Photobucket
Man in the Mirror music video can be found on You Tube