Christmas Pics

Back to normal!

If has been busy since Christmas!
I am glad it is over. Part of me even wants to take down the tree and all the decorations. I am in a cleaning and organzing mode!
I got rid of one garbage bag of toys to donate and packed another one away for storage.

I think I am in the mode because of the amount of stuff we got for christmas!!! ACK!
I have not even opened most of the kids new toys. they got spoiled.
This has to be the last year for it!!! Soon enough Arianna will start to expect so much.
We are very thankful for what we got. The kids got great toys that will help keep the occupied when I need to study.
It is nice to replace the babyish toys with toys they can use there imaginations with.

We had a great Christmas at my parents. Had some people over Christmas eve. Lots of food and drinks! Stayed up til 2 am as the adults opened their presents.
The kids got up around 8 am to open theres.
they LOVED it. I think they liked the opening part more then seeing what was inside. hehe.
It was great to have everyone there.
I will not even try to list what they got. I dont want people to really know how spoiled they got LOL.

The kids are still sick a bit with colds as am I. Just seems to keep hanging on.
Brandon avoided it all...lucky him!

Today when I went to costco to exchange some things (smaller sizes :) ) James threw up in the store! ICK. It wasnt much but I have NO idea why he did....I hope it passes and was a one time thing.

Overall I think I did ok with the holiday eating...didnt gain any pounds hehe.
I am back on my healthy eating. Just need to get to the gym.
I didnt get to today, due to the puking.
But I think I am burning some calories with the crazy cleaning!

I want to mention how spoiled I got from Brandon. It was super nice of him. Besides my CC, he got my the super duper kitchenaid HD professional mixer in black (already nicely displayed on my counter..you can see it here http://www.lnt.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1917054&cp=1331607.1331947.1969028&parentPage=family

AND a diamond tennis bracelet!! It is super nice...looks like x's 0's
I got a bunch of stuff from my secret santa (which was my mom)
It was a great Christmas.

Now on to the new year. Which is making me more nervous about starting school!!!!
I need to start looking for a dayhome for the kids. I saw a couple of signs around the neighbourhood. I will have to give them a call and see what they have open. I also want to give the kids a trial day. so make sure they will like it.

I will upload the pictures now.
Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.
Andrea

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I want to wish you a very Merry Christmas!
We are of to my parents for a few days.

sniff

I have been battling a sinus cold now for a few days.
It seems to be getting better, hopefully by tomorrow night I will have my appetite back.
I had one sleepless night from a sinus headache....ugh.

I finished the last of my stocking stuffers. All presents are wrapped. So I am good to go!
We will be staying at my parents place christmas eve and christmas night.
Christmas eve we have all the family over and a couple close friends. Lots of yummy appetizers. Adults will open presents late that night.
In the morning the kiddies get their turn. We will have a couple spoiled kids by the end of it I am sure. My mom likes to shop :)

Christmas day we will have the big turkey dinner. I am cooking it this year.
I am looking forward to tomorrow!

Today I have my Almond Roca bars to make and my turtle temptations fudge.
The kids made iced sugar cookies yesterday with uncle natchy(mikey). Natchy is what they called him when they couldnt say mikey...and it just stuck.

I will upload pictures of the camera, so I have room for christmas. Should get a chance to post them later.

I want to wish you all a very merry christmas and a healthy, happy new year.
I really hope we can see some of you distance relatives soon. Or feel free to come visit here ok!!! We miss you!

I hope Santa is good to you all!
All my love

Andrea

So we have a carbon monoxide detector downstairs by the furnace that we got installed with the alarm..so it is monitored.
Yesterday Brandon was downstairs with the kids and decided to check it out.He saw a button on it the said "test" he figured it was similar to a smoke detector where you can test it to see if the battery still works...so he presses it.it sets of the alarm.I am upstairs so I immediately turn the alarm off.
The alarm company calls a couple mins later and asks if we are ok.Brandon tells them yes..he was just testing LOL
So they tell him they automatically dispatch the fire department! LOL They said they would call and cancel that....So I am upstairs about 10 mins later in my bathroom and I think I hear a large truck outside...I look out the window and its a firetruck!!!
they come to the door, tanks on and everything!Brandon tells them what happened, and they said they knew it was called of, but came anyways to really make sure all was ok.
It was so funny.
brandon was so embarrassed.
Brandon told me they probably still came to see if it was a "desperate housewife" in trouble hehe
Did I mention they were young and hot?
I said oh darn you just had to be here Brandon. If you werent I could have told them I wasnt feeling well and needed oxygen LOL....or better yet
Mouth to mouth....hahahahah
It was priceless.

Sore throat

ACK Just in time for christmas.
Of course!
I had felt a cold coming on a few days ago, so I started fighting it. Just when I felt fine, it brews over night!!!!
I hope it is short lived I dont want to be sick for christmas...or worse have the kids be!

James had his last swimming lesson of the session. He got a little report card. It was great.
When he is 2.5 and a bit taller, he can go in the 3-5 class. he is a great swimmer.
Arianna has her last class on sunday. I am not sure if she will pass. She has a short attention span sometimes. AND this was her first by herself class. She made need another round. She still is a good swimmer.

Brandon has the day off today! yay!
Not sure what we will do since I feel crappy.
He gave me the best christmas present yesterday. Lets just say it involves my credit card (used for business mostly)
I was stressed about it, going back to school and all. Now I feel awesome thanks to him. The slate is clean ;) I have never been more happy with things!!!
He can take back all my other presents! ;) lol....It was the nicest thing he has done for me in awhile.

I think the tea kettle has finised boiling. time to go scald my throat! Have a good day!

(oh yes I have made this blog semi-private. It is NOT listed in the blog listings. So no more strangers...I didnt make it fully private as I know some of you dont have accounts. So less worry )

Good Morning

Had a sleepover last night with Uncle Natchy. We watched a movie and were supposed to finish wrapping presents...didnt happen.
I have no idea why I am procrastinating on getting them wrapped lol.
Arianna and I took a trip to the mall yesterday. She ran into santa claus and he gave her a couple candy canes. she was so happy and even told him Merry Christmas.
When I was shopping in Gymboree, she was watching the tv and shared a candy cane with a little girl (I made she to ok it with her mom lol) It was sweet to see she CAN share! hehe
Today we are off to her last gym class. I havent decided what she will do in the new year besides swimming. the next session runs into me starting school (yikes it is coming fast!)
Uncle is coming to. Then we will go do his shopping!
I need to get the baking done too. I have a few things ready to go..Just the time to do it, or the motivation!
I have been going to the gym to help counter all the extra calories I am sure I will be eating on christmas eve and christmas!
My brothers finacee will most likely be joining us for christmas. (was supposed to be going to her parents out of town) It will be sooo nice to have us all together.

Well I better go make breakfast. I will try and get some pictures at Ariannas class today.
Have a good day
Andrea

Mikey is home!

W have been spending the last couple of days with my brother who has come home for the holidays from calgary.
the kids missed him (Arianna mostly, she was all over him!) James took a few mins to warm up..as usual lol.

Last night we watched the hockey game together. It was like old times. I even streaked his hair for him.
Today we are going to our neighbours for a Chanukah party. Yes, that is how they spelled it!
I have never been to one. And we were told not to bring anything. Should be fun!

Arianna has swimming lessons today. Uncle Natchy is coming to watch (thats what the kids call him)
Tonight is the survivor finally too. Should be good!
Thats all thats been happening around here.
Andrea

Our family pre-haircuts LOL

Santa

Arianna loves him...James is terrified.
Arianna and I went to pick up her santa picture from the mall. She loves it, and has it in her room. Her smile is nice LOL...and she is wearing her hat...again!

I spent the day at my parents cleaning out the basement. It was pretty messy! I even steam cleaned the carpets. My brother Mike is coming home on friday, so I wanted to make it nice for him. Arianna and I even went and bought a small christmas tree and decorations for him. It looks really nice now.

James had swimming lessons. He did awesome again. Nobody shows up for class. The last 3 times we have gone it has been only him...or one other kid too.
It is great for one thing, the teacher can see how he is doing easier.
James is well advanced. even better then arianna. If he was a bit taller he could be in Ariannas class.
He loves it anyways. She just gives us more challenging things for him to do.

I bought a bunch of pointsettas today to replace all the ones I killed already lol. I got some good advice this time. So hopefully I have better luck.

Here are a few pics. Arianna with santa...and ones from Brandons christmas party at work.

Andrea

Good Feeling

Last night I just finished putting my big box together for a needy family. A neighbour and I did an Adopt a Family this year. The family has a 7 year old girl and a 5 year old boy. I spent over $100 of my christmas shopping money to help them out.
We definately do all right, so I wanted to be able to give someone else a special christmas too.
I really hope they like it.
It feels nice!!!!
Merry Christmas :)

Must be the weather.

Man I have been feeling cruddy.
It isnt even my time of the month lol.
I am not going to go into details as this is a very public place and I dont want to share my feelings about certain things to the world.

I am just unsure what to do. It seems I live in a vicious cycle. Happy for awhile and then it all goes downhill.
I just dont think this is the way I want things anymore.

Besides that the kids are doing well. And loving the holiday season.
We went to brandons work christmas party on the weekend. It was a breakfast with santa. Arianna loves santa. James still will not go near him! lol He is my shy guy.

I drew a train on the wall of James' room. I am going to paint it. He loves it already.
His room was so plain, I wanted to do something special for him. He loves his trains! I will take a pic when it is done.
I still never finished Ariannas mural. It is half way done.
It is just a difficult one. I think I may end up doing something simple for her. Otherwise I will never do anything. I like their rooms to be personal. not just stickies on the wall like she has now.

I made myself a christmas cd yesterday. yay!
Holiday music always makes me smile.
The Brad Paisley christmas cd is great in case you are looking for a new one :)

Well I better go, I am going to do some more cleaning to keep my mind off the bad.
Big rain and wind storm coming, so it will be a fun day.
Andrea

I have been putting together some christmas crafts for my last craft sale of the year. It is tomorrow at murrayville hall again (langley ladies come see me!)
I made some santa cookie mix in a jar and snowman soup in a cellophane cone. they are super cute. I am proud of how well they turned out. I took some pics, will post them when I get a chance :)

I will be at the sale tomorrow from 9-10 and 1-3. I have to skip out for a couple hours to take the kids with brandon to breakfast with santa at his work. It should be fun! My soon to be SIL Mayra is going to take over for me and stay with my mom. She is such a sweetie!
Hopefully it is busier and I sell some more.
I will have 4 nursing necklaces and a pile of baby shirts from my website for super cheap!

Tomorrow after the sale there is an open house at my brothers. We will stop by for a bit but wont stay too long. I am sure I will be pooped.

I still need to wrap the kids presents. I cant stop shopping for them either. I went to gymboree 2 times this week. Spent over $100 (BUT for $50 in gymbucks LOL) I got good deals. the jammies were on 2 for $25. so I had to go! lol

well time to get to the laundry and make sure all is prepared for tomorrow.
ta ta for now.
Andrea

James new haircut

A few birthday Pics

Well I am 26! hehe
My birthday went well. I was a little dissapointed with grouse mountain. We read on the website about their restaurants. We wanted to go to the bistro one which it said was open til 10. So we get there and find out they closed it at 3 due to a private function! grrr
so we go up anyways (paying $30 a person) to go ice skating and walk around up there.
It was absolutely gorgeous. The ice rink is smaller then it used to be..another annoying thing!
I had fun though. I think I am going to complain about the restaurant thing...I mean they should have some calendar letting you know when it will be closed for private events. We drove all that way!!!

Anyways. I went out shopping and got some new jeans, a sweater, a cashmere sweater (so soft!) a new down jacket and new pjs and slippers! lucky me!

After ice skating we went to the cactus club. Had yummy dinner and too many drinks! LOL
I even got a naughty drink for my bday...called a muff diver! haha. I will post a pic of that and you can see for yourself. It was a shot of amaretto in a martini glass with whip cream...I had to use my mouth to get it out!

I was a little queasy the next morning! hehe

I made some christmas cards tonight...only 9 LOL the rest I will buy. It takes a long time to make them!!!! It was fun though.
Nothing to exciting going on here this week. Enjoying the good ol rain again..

I read some sad news on LP website I belong to. A member was 7 months pregnant and the baby boy died. She has to deliver him tomorrow. I can only imagine the pain she and her family are going through. They have a young daughter who will have a hard time understanding. I cant stop thinking about them. I feel so sad.
If I were in Edmonton I would help out in any way I could.
There family is in my prayers.

Other news...James had a haircut! He looks like a boy again LOL.
His hair was making him look like a girl...according to strangers!
He looks cute now....its short and curly...pics to come...some may have gotten them already in email.

well off to bed I go!
will get the pictures up tomorrow.

Goodnight...
and hugs out to Melanie and her family. God Bless you in this terrible time.

ALMOST 26!

Dec 2 1980. when I was born.
It is almost 11. so in an hour I will be 26.
thought I would post a little update now as I probably wont be around much tomorrow.
I am planning a shopping trip in the morning, dinner in top of grouse mountain and ice skating there as well. The kids are having a sleep over and grandmas.
ahhhh sleeping in!
Tonight I went out for dinner with my mom. we went to a yummy greek place. BUT I a paying for it now! I have the worst breath I swear. it was worth it though..it was awesome.
then we went shopping for a present. but i didnt find anything :(
we were rushed as we had to be home for brandon to go to poker.
I watched las vegas with my mom and now am heading to bed. James got up at 6 am...ack. I didnt nap so I am soooo tired.
Hope you liked the pics I emailed you. I will send along the family pic when I can.

hugs and kisses
off to sleep and turn 26.
lets see who remembers tomorrow lol

Andrea

the new hair

NOW: Its a lot darker..lighter hightlights make the top look lighter in this pic. But look at the bottom! I love it. Looks more natural to me :)


























Before:

I love the snow!!! I am sooo happy we got this big snow storm. It is soooo pretty! The kids LOVE it. They dont want to come inside. They were out for 2 hours the other day. When Brandon brought them in they had the reddest cheeks! hehe
I AM DONE shopping. YAY. It is so nice to be done. I can avoid the mad rushes at the malls.

Tonight I went and got may hair done. It was the only time this week.
I like it!....time to get a pic...and I will post!

Stay warm!
Andrea

SNOW!!!

I am so excited. It is snowing as I type.
We are supposed to get quite a bit. It will be play time for the kids tomorrow!
I need to go out first thing and get James some boots hehe.

I did a craft sale today. I wasnt that great. I am booked to do another one on Dec 9. Hopefully it goes better.

I am still trying to figure out what to do for my birthday. Brandon is off and we are able to go out. I still trying to find a hair place too. the school is booked. of course. the prices are so great! oh well next time!

I am 99 percent done my shopping. I finished getting brandons things last night. The malls are getting crazy I am glad I dont need to be part of that. Well except to get the kids pics done with santa!
I guess I should make sure James has something cute to wear...hehe (Arianna always does!)

Well off to finish laundry.
Post pics later and more of our snow adventure tomm.
goodnight!

Congratulations to our friends!!

Our Neighbour and friend plays for the BC lions. He is #9 Barron Miles. I am good friends with his wife and Arianna plays with Ava their daughter...oh yes Brandon goes to the Casino with Barron ;)

We would like to Congratulate him on the Grey Cup win, his amazing season of 10 interceptions and his new 2 year contract. We are happy they will still be our neighbours.

Here is the beautiful, happy family with the Grey Cup!

Ooops its been a few more days

Man when I say I am going to post pictures and update I never get to it!
Lets see the last few days we have been Christmas shopping. We got some $$ from FIL to spend on ourselves for Christmas. So Brandon and I split it and are going to shop for eachother. It was sooo nice!
I havent booked my hair appt. I think I am going to call tomm and get in the school in langley. I have heard good things about it and they have SUPER pricing.
I will definately post a picture. So you find that you hair always looks super when you JUST get it done...then the next day its so much work to do and it never looks the same....sigh.
I am excited. I love getting my hair done.

We went to the back this evening and got my LOC activated. Now I can pay for school. Yippie!
Tomorrow I am going to try on the bridesmaid dress for my brothers wedding, then go out for lunch with the girls.
Saturday I have a craft sale for my boobybuddy stuff. It is a Murrayville hall for all you ladies out in langley. Stop by and say hello! Its from 9-330 I believe. My mom will have he oh so cute nightlights from my site there too. I am going to make the necklaces this evening while my shows are on :)

You will be proud of me. I have gone for a jog 2 nights in a row. Even in the pissing rain. I just dont get to the Y half as often as I should since the accident. My friend Cathy has done and amazing job running, she looks fabulous, I thought I would try.I am no where near as good as she is..but I am sore, so it is working right? lol
I have many reasons to lost these last pounds.

Arianna woke up dry for the first time the other day!!! YAY! we are on are way with her :)

Andrea

Long time!

Our power was out for 4 days...YES 4 DAYS!
We lost basically everything perishable. It was awful.
Thank goodness for parents who live down the street who had power the entire time. So we stayed there :)
It has been so stormy around these parts. what a winter!

Well besides that I am 90% done my christmas shopping! I wanted to get it done early so I can enjoy december. I will do some baking and fun things with the kiddies.
I bought a gingerbread house kit from costco today. Have I mentioned how much I love costco? I got there a lot! I got the nicest christmas planter for $20.

I am all set to go for school! yippie! I got all approved by the bank so I am all covered.
Now when the new year hits it will be time to look for part time daycare for the kids. Between my parents, brandonn, brother and a wonderful friend kelly who offered to watch the kids when she can, they will just need care once in awhile! Yay!

Some sad news. My brother and his finacee just moved into their new condo, and already they got broken into. They took some things from the house and stole Mairas truck. :( How awful. I feel so bad. Yesterday Arianna and I took them over coffee and donuts and Roses for Maira. To cheer her up. She is so kind and friendly it is wrong that it happened to her. She is the best soon to be SIL I could ask for. I am so excited!

The kids are still enjoying swimming lessons. They are doing super!
I will have to get them into weekend sessions when I am in school for sure.

My birthday is coming up fast. I really want to get my hair done. I want to go shorter, thinner and a nice chocolate brown. My hair is too orangey right now. I hated it when I saw the color in the family picture we had done at walmart. Some nice hightlights too! hehe

Well I guess thats about it. Gotta go and make dinner. I am sure I have some pictures on the camera to upload, so maybe after brandon leaves for work tonight I will get on that!

Andrea

Sunny Saturday

A break from the rain! YAY!
Nothing really planned for this weekend. I want to get my christmas shopping done. We are taking it easy on the gifts this year. So it should be a little easier to get it done!
I have no idea what I am going to get Brandon. Usually I have a couple ideas...no such luck this year!

Arianna is a grump today. Last night after she went to bed around 800, Brandon and I started a movie. Around 930 when it was about over my friend came over and knocked on the back door. All the sudden Arianna came screaming down. She was scared, and apparently had been sitting on the stairs the entire time watching the movie. She was quiet as a mouse, and we cant see the stairs from where we were sitting! Silly girl.
So that explains the cry baby. She is VERY tired.
Its almost lunch time and nap time thank goodness!!

Brandon isnt home yet. He did a midnight and was working first. So he gets to go to bed around 2. I guess he got a good night sleep since it is 1120 and he isnt home yet!

Big football game tomorrow....GO BC!!! It would have been fun to go to the game. We will just have to do Pizza instead :)

Have a great weekend!
Andrea

SHOPPING!

I am addicted.
I drove to metrotown just to go to gymboree!
they had there 30% off sale (of course I got all sale items already)
So I got the kids a few things each for christmas.

THEN I just had to go to old navy.
now that is a sale.
50% off all clearance priced stuff!
things I got were between 1.99-9.00.
wow I got a big bag full for $42.00
I am soooo good LOL

Go shop!

James really liked boobies.....

I was looking back through baby pictures (can we say baby fever?) and came across my little boob man. He was so obsessed with breastfeeding early on, that when I layed him on the leather couch he would try and find the boobie! LOL
Thought I would share my silly little man! hehe
Good thing I have a couple friend who will have babies sooner then me!
It is going to be awhile for me !

Today James had another swimming lesson. He was moved to the next class up. And it is still so easy for him. He cant go up again until he is 3. So he is stuck with the babies lol. He is sure a little fishy. he goes under water now!It is fun to spend that half hour with him.Once I am in school I will put them in weekend classes so I can still be a part of that.

Tonight I am going out for dinner with a girlfriend and then over to her place to watch top model. what a wonderful girls night! I think I feel like pasta.I am back on the healthy eating and tons-o-water wagon after a lapse from halloween. I am unsure of how much exercise I can do, so I better eat well.that reminds me, time to go back to the doctor.....I rented a couple movies for the kids. they can have a movie night with daddy tonight. I got them CARS for that.Hope all is well for all you blogger readers!

Andrea

Swimming Arianna!