Los Aldama: January 2012

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Still Rolling

Hello blogging world! Sorry about the lack of posting. Life seems to be flying by faster than I can keep up with. Any time that would usually be spent on the internet (after kids go to bed) is spent on preschool lesson plans. Last night, for instance, I was up until 1:00 laminating superman shields and compiling packets on how children can develop good (super kid) habits. It is a lot of fun! The kids really enjoy our time together and I love that I can use my creative brain. 2012 has been good to us so far. Noelle is thriving in school and despite runny noses, we have been healthy. This last weekend we made the trek down to Salt Lake to spend a relaxing weekend with friends. On Saturday we took the kids to the Gateway Discovery Museum and later had a girls-night-out with with student apartment friends at the California Pizza Kitchen. (YUM!) Sunday we had a game night with some of the families. On Monday, Dan and I took the kids for a drive, went to Trolley Square, to lunch and to the temple. The kids really enjoyed temple square and the visitor's center. Such a peaceful family day. That night we went to Chucky Cheese with the Pierces. We ended up battling the stomach flu, but it didn't stop the kids for long. (Just made for some sleepless nights for the parents) The kids played and played and played. I have a bunch of photos and will post later. Hope you are all doing well. Thanks for not giving up on me...even though I am terrible about keeping in touch.

Monday, January 2, 2012

Christmas Magic!

How do I express our appreciation to all of those who helped make 2011 Christmas and New Year's events so precious? Where do I start? Three cheers to my family who endured the arduous journey across Nevada in the nearing 0 degree temps to spend 5 awesome days with us in our new Idahoan home! Kudos to my sister, Gina, for busting out wicked beanies with her thread and needles on the way (btw nice shot of the stockings!). The kids love their new headwear and I'll put out the word as to their origins. Thanks to Uncle Josh and Papa for the elvish help in the TKO room, I would've been sunk if I had to do that by myself. Special thanks to Nana for keeping the family Christmas breakfast tradition alive. Man, Christmas with kids is such a cool time of life! What better way to get them to behave than to bribe them with presents? If only that would work year round... We really had a great time this year. It started off with Noelle's party the week prior - princess motif, of course. Then her actual birthday was on the 24th. That afternoon we went to get her ears pierced! Dan, what were you thinking??? She looks very pretty with her new earrings, and took the piercing quite well, I think. On Christmas day we took the kids and Nana and Papa to Sacrament services, but allowed the kids to open their gifts prior to church. The boys thoroughly enjoyed the train table, and Noelle will move into her doll house next week, yes it is that big!

Unfortunately we didn't have a white Christmas this year, but let's consider it a blessing - Could you imagine Dad driving in snow on the way home??? We're glad the family made it home in one piece, and without killing each other :)
I shall ne'er forget New Year's eve! We went to our friends house out in the country (yes, more country than where we live) to enjoy an aerial fireworks show. How he is able to light off fireworks comparable to those on the 4th of July at big venues is beyond me. I'm bummed we didn't take any pictures of the event, but seriously, I think the camera's components would've froze. Oh, and thanks to Dave, the pyrotechnic, for the up close and personal finale - there was a foundation malfunction, and the firework went and blew up horizontally towards the crowd instead of vertically like all the other good little fireworks! Like I said I would ne'er forget the evening. The kids crammed and snuggled in the back of the Audi to keep warm, and then crashed on the way home.
Just as quick as the fireworks blew up, it seems like the holiday season is behind us. Let's keep the spirit of giving alive, and look to lend a helping hand. People need our help. Let that be our year long Christmas gift! Enjoy the photo montage:

Noelle's Birthday Party