A New Year is Upon Us!

OK, so I've been busy...for some strange reason.

December was a busy month, but my biggest reason for not blogging was that I was lacking energy and motivation.  I just didn't want to spend the time to blog as I was having trouble finding the time to do more important things like plan for Christmas, do Christmas activities and such.  I was struggling with some physical challenges, most of which I have overcome now.

I've also been thinking about blogging and wondering if it is really worth the time.  Does it really matter to anyone if I blog about our life - I don't think we're all that interesting, really!  I haven't had a comment on my blog here in months.  I might just lay off doing this.  If  you like reading my blog, please leave a comment to encourage me to continue.  I do enjoy blogging, but I don't want to do it just to toot my own horn, so to speak.  I need to know if you enjoy reading my blog as much as I enjoy writing it!

Speaking of writing - I'm writing a chapter for a book about women's fertility in the 40s!  I get to write about all my childbearing experiences and then answer questions that were submitted by prospective readers!  I'm not sure what the book's title will be, but it will be published electronically.  It will be published in June - let me know if you are interested in knowing how to get the book!

So here are some high lights of the last month:

First off, here's what happens when the kids steal my camera - I get great photos that I wouldn't have otherwise, but I have to dig through hundreds of goofy/unusable photos to fine the gems!

 Wow - This photo was amazing, but scary at the same time, know what I mean?

Carese has been crawling for about two months now

Esther loves to help me fill my daily vitamin organizer - this time Elizabeth was helping her too!

Elizabeth and I had a very special birthday - 12-12-12!  We had a lot of friends over and had a 12 themed party - dozens of sandwhiches and cookies, and we sang The Twelve Days of Christmas at 12:12:12!  

We even found matching skirts for her and her best friend to wear!

This year I directed the church choir for the fall and Christmas seasons, and I so enjoyed it.  Jessica did a special braid for the day that the choir sang for the service!  She's getting amazing at doing great braids!

Great long, fingerless glove for the big girls from their grandparents!

The boys got cool black ties from the grandparents!

Carese's unique balancing act!

She was so ready to walk!

Esther decorated one cookie and then went to eating the chocolate chips!

Christmas Eve Caos!

Little girls and dolls at Christmas, they just go together!

Our New Christmas tradition - Shooting Practice.  Daryl is our gun safety guy, he's always close by to make sure we are all being as safe as possible!

Post Christmas Breakfast - notice that Carese is fast asleep!  I think Esther had too much to eat!  LOL!

 

Esther got lots of help unwrapping!

 

Esther LOVED the nerf gun - only problem was she kept shooting her daddy!

So sweet!

Pure awesomeness!!!

Our favorite family pasttime - a game of Nerts!

My artsy girl getting a very unique gift - gummy snake, chocolate covered insects and a sucker with a scorpian in it!  She took it well!  She also got a very nice gift too (I've forgotten what it was though)

This gift was a big hit with everyone!

Daryl teaching the girls how to aim and how to be safe!

Goody Bags on Christmas Morning!

We even got a White Christmas!

I even got to do some target practice!

More snow after Christmas and that's Esther out running around!

Did I mention that Esther liked the snow?

And the yummiest Christmas Tradition - Nanaimo Bars!

Hope you enjoyed the update!  Please keep Esther in your prayers as she is having her tonsils and adenoids removed on Monday - she'll be down at Children's in Seattle for at least one night.