Resolution Time!

I am in the process of brainstorming and recording our family's 2010 goals. Stay tuned...

A Year in Review

I cannot believe we will be saying good-bye to another year tonight! How can it be 2010 when it feels like we just celebrated the start of 2009? The year has flown by...I can honestly say that it does go faster as we get older. Someone told me this would happen, and it is most certainly true. Maybe it's because we're so much busier (especially since the kids have come into the picture) or could it be that many exciting and challenging responsibilities have been added to our lives as we continue to grow older? Whatever the case may be, times flies by!

I took about an hour today to go back and look at everything our family has done over the year. Close to 150 journal entries were documented this year as evidence of the fun times we shared, the projects we completed, the challenges we faced, and the memories we made. Blogging is something I've enjoyed doing over the past two years, and hearing that my family members and close friends also enjoy keeping tabs on us, helps keep me on track (even when life seems to be spinning out of control). It's days like today, that I am so grateful for the hours I've spent journaling about the happenings in the Houghton house. There is no way I would be able to remember all the "little" things that took place in 2009 without it. What seemed "little" at the time, seem "big" to me today.

Both of the kids have grown and changed so much over the year. Many milestones were reached, celebrations were shared, and big changes took place in our home(s) this past year. We have so much to be thankful for! The year 2009 was wonderful...a year that (because of this blog) I/we can cherish forever! Happy New Year everyone...best wishes for a happy, healthy, fun, memorable,and rewarding 2010!

Bring It On!

Hello Winter...we're so glad you're here!
Hang on!
First attempt @ snowboarding...
hoping to enjoy the sport with his dad for years to come!

Looking good Carter!
Nice form Brandon...he was a natural!
Lilly was along for the ride...and enjoyed every minute of it (at Mike's expense). :)
Learning how to hang with the real pros...Bring it On!!!

The snow couldn't have come at a more perfect time! Thankfully, we didn't have to travel too far this holiday season, so in our opinion...the more the better! With a whole week off of school~ there is nothing better than fresh powder to play in.

Mike and Nolan have been working hard to build up a huge snow pile in the front of our yard. The blueprints for the ultimate snow fort have been made, complete with tunnels and trails throughout our entire yard. They are pretty excited about it and have begun the construction process... I can't wait to see it all come together! (I will be sure to post pictures of it when it's finished.)

Mike and I also dug out and dusted off our snowshoes this week. We both got out for a peaceful afternoon hike behind our house. The field and woods were a perfect escape and allowed us to mix-up our exercise routines a bit.

We also managed to spend a day sledding and snowboarding with our cousins at the biggest snow hill in Sartell. Brandon, Carter, and Nolan all received snowboards for Christmas, so it was fun for the three of them to hit the slopes. Lilly enjoyed being pulled in the sled and excitedly went down the hill with her daddy, auntie, brother, and myself. The boys enjoyed racing each other on various sleds and Mike and Jason got a workout carting everyone and everything up the hill for another run. We spent close to two hours at the hill and then made it back to our house for pizza and breadsticks. Our family has really enjoyed the first big snowfall of the year...we are hoping for more and can't wait to get back outside to play. Bring it on!

The Magic of Christmas

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Lilly's Christmas Wish

Lilly really seemed to enjoy her visit with Santa, but hasn't been completely honest with me about what it was she asked him for this year. The minute she stepped off of his lap, she was tight lipped about what it was she wanted and when I would ask her, she would only smile at me. I played 20 questions with her, thinking it would be easy to get it out of her...but it honestly wasn't. I asked her if she asked him for an Easy Bake Oven? The answer I got was....No. Did you ask him for a doll house? No, again was her reply. How about Littlest Pet Shop? Nope! Did you ask him for a new doll? No, I didn't mommy. What did you ask Santa for Lilly??????? It was then, that she told me she had told Santa that he could bring her anything. I thought this was pretty sweet, and also thought she would be happy with just about anything.

Well....about a week ago, she was having a private conversation with her Grandpa Jim in the car on the way to the cities. She told him that she had asked Santa for Zhu Zhu pets. She also told grandpa that she had a lot of toys already, and that Santa might not be able to bring them for her. (This makes me wonder if Santa is helping all the moms and dads out there who are frantically searching for the "Toy of the Year"... so these little boys and girls who so desperately want them, won't get disappointed Christmas morning...when there are NO Zhu Zhu pets under the tree!) Thanks Santa!

Anyway, my dad filled me in with the latest revelation. So, I again questioned Lilly about what it was she asked for. Our stubborn, or should I say our "strong willed" child still wouldn't fill me in on her secret. I didn't want to ask about the Zhu Zhu pet thing, because if it really was what she asked for, I was in trouble and needed to start hunting...now! or two months ago!!!
Celina had filled me in on a place that carried them and I was able to score on a couple of items. We even ended up ordering two accessories from her I Phone in the middle of the Disney on Ice show. (That alone shows you how desperate I was to find these!)

The truth came out this weekend...only because I think I caught her off guard. She mentioned after a late bath on Saturday night, that she wanted Zhu Zhu pets. I played dumb and acted like I had never heard of them before. I wanted her to explain them to me, to see if she really knew what it was they were, how they worked, and if this whole "wanting" them was legitimate. Sure enough, she knew everything!!! I give the T.V. commercials credit~ they have my three year old SOLD!...and her mom too!

Let's just hope the Ebay sleigh arrives before Santa's on Christmas Eve! ;)



Check them out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rl85OM_GuLQ&feature=player_embedded

The Recital

Lilly has been going to the St. Cloud School of Dance and Gymnastics on Tuesday nights for the past few months. Even though we've been dealing with a little separation anxiety, it is something she truly enjoys doing. She has a bounce in her step, and her personality is quite bubbly, so this extra-curricular activity has been very fitting. Lilly is as "girly-girl" as they come. She's been waiting to put this princess costume on since the minute it came through our front door. In fact, it's been neatly hanging in her closet for close to a month...and just about every night she'd ask me how much longer until she could wear it.

Lilly was so proud and felt so beautiful the minute she stepped into it today. In fact, I didn't even have to deal with the tights rubbing wrong, or the tu-tu begin itchy, or the tag scratching her in the back. (On a typical day, if one thing...even the tiniest thing feels uncomfortable, off goes the outfit! Some mornings it takes three pairs of socks until she finds a pair that is comfortable. I've actually had to give up on matching outfits some mornings, just to keep the peace.) Anyway, she was in ahhhh over the whole outfit. Even if something was bothering her, all she could think about was how beautiful she looked and felt.

She picked out nail polish and had me paint her nails, put on her own eyeshadow, and insisted on curling her hair. (I usually have to beg to fix her hair!) After she felt put together, she looked me straight in the eyes and gave me the sweetest, most innocent smile I have ever seen. It truly melted my heart! My heart swelled with love for my sweet little princess. She wore this pride on her sleeve and skipped over to the mirror and said, "I can't wait to show my daddy. He is probably going to cry when he sees me." That alone brought tears to my eyes.

She pranced down to the kitchen and called for her dad. Like a little angel she stood waiting for his approval. I could tell by the look in his eyes that his heart was overflowing with love and pride too.

Lilly told Nolan that he was not allowed to bring any toys to the recital, because he had to make sure he was paying attention. She didn't him to miss any part of her performance. With confidence, she told him that she was going to dance like a "Rock-Star" when it was her turn.

The Cathedral High School gym was packed with proud parents today. Close to 200 dancers took their turn out on the dance floor, and Lilly was one of them. She followed her class to the front of the dance floor without a single tear. She spotted us in the audience, smiled, and slowly, but surely did the routine (or parts of the routine) that her class had practiced.

We are so proud of you sweetie!

My Little Helpers

The Christmas Season wouldn't be complete without a night spent together baking in the kitchen. After watching me prepare seven dozen Roly-Poly Peanut Butter Balls

for my cookie exchange party this week,

the kids were anxious to get in the kitchen to make some tasty treats of their own.

Nolan was really concentrating on the sprinkles this year.

I love the tongue hanging out as he diligently works!

In the oven they go....

Call me when they're ready mom, and I will be the first to sample them.

It wouldn't be right to let Santa eat them if they weren't yummy.

Nolan enjoyed three warm cookies with milk...which tells you they passed the taste test.

Let's just hope we don't have to bake another batch before Christmas Eve.

Lilly enjoyed making sugar cookies with sprinkles. She didn't skimp on them either!

Lilly played peek-a-boo in the oven window as she patiently waited for her batch to come out of the oven. Lilly was so proud of hers, that she hauled a container full to daycare to share with her friends at snack break time. They were a hit! We froze a couple for the "Man in the Red Suit"...Lilly was told that they are his favorite.

Disney on Ice

The kids and I, along with Grandpa Jim and Grandma Mary, and Celina and her boys traveled down to the Excel Energy Center to see Disney on Ice. Celina and I remember going to this show with our Grandparents when were were little girls and thought it would be a fun experience for our kids.

The kids loved all the bright lights, special effects, and energetic characters. They viewed some of the best clips from various popular Disney movies and listened and sang along with favorite Disney songs. It was a special day for everyone!

P.S. A special thank-you goes out to Great Grandma for providing us with the opportunity to share this same joyous occasion with our kids...just like the one she shared with us so many years ago! Hugs XOXO

Santa Visit

Santa: Did you know all my elves have been talking about you? They are very impressed with how well you've been doing in kindergarten this year. Mrs. Claus and I are proud of you too. The elves and I have been busy building toys and getting my sleigh ready for the big trip. Mrs. Claus is hard at work making me a new outfit. It seems that I've outgrown my suit from last year! It sure looks like you've gotten a lot taller too. The elves and I are searching the Toy Workshop for your special gift. What would a nice little boy like you enjoy? Nolan: Well, I have been working pretty hard Santa. My mom and dad ask me to help out around the house and I am pretty willing listen and help. I am really good at putting away my own clothes, setting the table, and unloading the groceries. I have also been kind to my sister...for the most part. (Sometimes it can be fun to pick on her, but I feel it is my brotherly duty to cause a little commotion from time to time.) Wink! Wink! School is going well too. I am learning to read and write better this year and that has been fun. Have you seen how much I like to play the computer and video games this past month? It's true! Unfortunately, my mom and dad are working really hard to limit the amount of time I spend playing with these electronic devices. :) If it wouldn't be too much to ask, I would like a Batman Cave and a Wii game. Thanks Santa!

Santa: Hello little Lilly! I've been checking my list and then had my elves check it twice, and I see that you have been a good girl this year. I know you are three years old and getting so big! You're even going to preschool and dance like a big girl. My elves and I are making something very special for you this year Lilly. So try very hard to be a good little girl until Christmas. I will soon be on my way to visit your new house in Sartell. Sugar cookies are my favorite if you want to leave one for me...I've heard you really like to help your mommy in the kitchen. See you soon!

Lilly: Hi Santa! You're right, I am a big girl. I crawled up on your lap without my brother and didn't shed a tear! I have been working hard to be good this year and hope that you've seen how much I enjoy playing with my brother Nolan, cuddling with my mom and dad, and even helping around the house when I can. You can surprise me this year Santa, because I know I'll like whatever you bring me. Thanks Santa!

The big question... How do Mom and Dad feel? Will these two munchkins get what they wish for this holiday??? Santa seems to think they've been pretty good this year, so based off of his recommendation, I think the kids will be excited Christmas morning! :)

Happy 74th Birthday Great Grandma!

Our family gathered to celebrate a very special person....

Mom, Grandma, and Great Grandma!

We had a traditional pizza party, with punch, cake, and presents.

Of course she doesn't like it when we make a big fuss,

but a birthday party is a MUST!

She is always there for us and we are so grateful for the gift of her.

I guess you could say that

"she is the gift...that keeps on giving"!

It was fun sharing this special day together!

The Great Grandkids were excited to be together too.

There is nothing better than a pizza party, complete with punch and cake!

Happy Birthday to you G-Grandma!

Calling All Fashion Models

I got the giggles when I walked into Old Navy and saw both Nolan and Lilly in the display. Nolan has done this several times and is quite good at it. He can stand as still as the mannequins and pose like one for quite some time. Lilly and I get a kick out of it when he does it. Today they both thought it looked like fun...and luckily, I had my camera in my purse!

Live~ Love~ Scrapbook!!!

With the big move, getting settled, and back to school, my scrapbooking has been sitting on the back burner. I hadn't touched it since the summer and felt a little overwhelmed getting back into it...especially right before Christmas! The weekend away was just what I needed. It felt so good to be creative again and I had a lot of fun spending time with my friends.

Another productive weekend at Raspberry Ridge:

Make a Smilebox slideshow

There is still work to be done...and for that I am grateful. I need to journal on several of the pages and have a bin of pages ready to be worked on. (It's just a matter of finding the time.) Hopefully, I will be able to break in my scrapbooking room after the holidays.

Whiz Kid

Nolan absolutely loves school and learning new things. He has really become a successful reader and has recently been asking us how to spell everything he sees. When he isn't playing computer and video games, he can be found drawing, coloring, and spelling. He even turned his lunch into a spelling activity. Of course, as his mom, I was impressed. I think you will be too:

Make a Smilebox slideshow