Tennis Anyone?

Nolan started tennis lessons this week at Gold's Gym in Sartell. This summer he really enjoyed hitting balls around our yard with the tennis racket, so we thought this would be a great opportunity for him. He got to practice in the big, white dome on Monday night...which was probably the most exciting part of the experience. He has been curious and intrigued by the dome since he was about one year's old, so for him to actually be able to step foot in it- made the night even more special.

The instructors did an excellent job of teaching the fundamentals of the game. Nolan discovered there is a lot more to the game than just using the racket like a baseball bat! He did very well and is excited about his next lesson.

Letting off some steam...

With the cold and snowy weather, the kids haven't been able to get outside like they should. I am a little bit of a wimp when it comes to the cold, but I do bundle up from time to time to make sure my kids are getting some fresh air. I have a hard time with sitting still as many of you know, and being cooped up in a small apartment makes it ten times worse. The kids have energy coming out of their ears and really do need the opportunity to release it... therefore, we have been taking full advantage of the amenities here. The kids, Mike, and I are all loving every minute of it. Tonight we swam in the pool, used the workout room, and ran around in the racquetball court for close to 40 minutes. The kids call it their gym...they bring their bouncy balls in and have a grand old time. Nolan dug out his hockey sticks tonight and thought it was great! Lilly loves to yell, "On your market, get set, go!" and chase the balls back and forth across the gym. Nolan loves to bounce and throw the balls as high as he can...the ceiling being his target. He also loves to run and slide on his knees across the floor. Both kids are becoming better swimmers, and Mike and I take turns working out at night. It has been and will be the perfect place to release some energy during these cold winter months.

Welcome 2009

I apologize if you're tired of viewing these scrapbooks and slide shows. But for those of you who know me really well, I get camera happy and feel I need to capture everything. I mananged to take 111 photos of all the fun last night, and am once again using Smilebox to help me narrow down the selection and post a lot of pictures in less time. We had several friends and their kids over to our new apartment for a night of swimming, games, food, and fun. The community rooms were the perfect party spot...we hope everyone had a great night and best wishes in 2009!

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My '09 Resolutions

I have heard that in order to accomplish goals, you have to state them, make them known...so that others can help you attain them.

These are my goals for 2009:

*** play with my kids more...household duties can wait

*** plan a date night w/Mike each month

*** obsess less...worry less...everything doesn't have to be perfect

*** exercise more

*** save more money...so we can build our dream home

*** donate more...it feels so good

*** volunteer more at my church

*** balance work and home as best I can

*** do random acts of kindness...it's so rewarding to see others smile

*** be positive...look at the bright side

*** be a more patient mother...even when the kids test it over and over and over

*** count my blessings...everyday

*** read at least 6 books (not school, work, or kid related)

*** take a new class of some sort

*** sleep more

*** get better at recycling things

*** go on enough scrapbooking retreats to stay caught up

*** cherish each day and remember to thank God...for He is good!

*** take time for myself

*** always wear a smile

*** be happy!

I've been tagged!

Thanks Jessica! I hope I am understanding this correctly... I am supposed to pull the sixth photo, from my sixth folder, and write about it...is that correct?

This photo was taken a long time ago, when Nolan was just three months old. It brings back a lot of memories for me. Nolan wasn't the easiest baby. In fact, I am surprised he is not crying in this photo. Many of you remember the tummy troubles he had and all the crying he did. There were only a few of you who could actually calm him down. He wasn't sleeping through the night yet! Actually, he was still sleeping in a bouncer. I was worried we would never get him to convert to the crib, but we managed.

Thank goodness that colic behavior subsided...I was a little cautious about having baby number two. He really made up for it though...no terrible two's and now he's a very delightful, kind hearted boy. Look at my hair...glad I decided to grow it out! And that entertainment center...what a dusting nightmare! Glad that is gone too. What a flash back!

I tag Terri and Noel!

Christmas w/ the Houghton's

Yipee! I love my polka-dot jammies...they even have a cupcake on the front of them.

Papa Marty has the best treats ever!

Thanks Grandpa John and Grandma Rita for everything!

Shirley was really excited about getting her first digital camera...

Look-out Ebay, here she comes!

Today we celebrated Christmas Houghton style. We all gathered at Mike's mom's house for an afternoon of food, gifts, games, and fun. Nolan was super excited to come home with Wall-E sheets and DVD and Lilly was really happy about her new cash register and polka dot pajamas. The kids enjoyed spending time with their cousin Ben and playing with their toys in the basement, while the adults visited. Of course, it wasn't the same without David and Marybeth around, but we were lucky enough to all take a turn talking to them on the phone. We miss them and hope that we won't have to spend too many more Christmas's without them in MN. Thanks everyone for everything. It was another wonderful day!

Snow Much Fun

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A True Christmas Miracle

Bonnie and I have celebrated Christmas together for as long as we can remember. Reminiscing about our grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins brings back so many good memories.

We love you Owen!

Tonight we got to celebrate with our godson, Owen. He is a true miracle and we have been so blessed to have him healthy and strong again. Owen is full of life and thriving like a three year-old should be. My cousin Bonnie and her husband Brain came with their family to celebrate Christmas with us last night. It was a lot of fun getting the kids together for swimming and pizza.

A Christmas Surprise

Mike never ceases to amaze me... I have been truly blessed with a very caring, giving, and romantic husband. He has always had a way of surprising me and out-doing me when it comes to gift giving and surprises. No matter how creative I think I am being, he still comes out on top. This is not a bad thing...it's another thing I am very lucky for.

We had decided that with all the moving expenses, an upcoming vacation, and a future house building project, we would only purchase stocking stuffers for each other this year. Mike played it cool and pretended on Christmas Eve to have nothing for me. He has done this in the past, so I really wasn't believing him and knew that there would be something small for me in the morning. However, what was in my stocking on Christmas morning took me by surprise. He made me a personalized photo album with pictures of the kids in it. He also managed to cut a small square out of the back of the album to place a very small treasure. I am not sure what was more sentimental, the photos and journaling or the treasure...check this out:

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Like I said, he is an amazing husband... with a big heart!

Our House Believes

We had a wonderful Christmas again this year. Having young children to celebrate with truly brings the magic back for everyone. It has been a tradition to spend Christmas Eve at my Mom and Bruce's house. With a car full of presents we headed there filled with anticipation and excitement. The children and the "big kids" were so happy to be together to celebrate Jesus' birthday. We were all spoiled with gifts galore...in fact, I couldn't use my rear view mirror to back out of the driveway. Nolan said we got the mother load, and I would have to agree.
The kids were pretty tired when we got home, so putting them to bed wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be. Nolan prepared a plate of cookies for Santa and they both settled in nicely to wait for him to come. At a shocking 8:00A.M., they yelled for us to see if they could get up. (I say shocking, because we are generally up before 7:00A.M. and it was a real Christmas treat for Mike and me to be able to sleep a whole extra hour.) We followed them to the kitchen where Nolan discovered only cookie crumbs left on the plate...then, low and behold...a living room full of presents! Santa came!!! They were so excited to unwrap their treasures. Nolan got the Lincoln Logs and basketball hoop he asked for and Lilly was tickled to see a magic wand, butterfly wings, and a Fur Real Puppy. Mike and I also exchanged stocking stuffers...(That's another blog posting in itself!) The kids opened presents from us and we got ready to head to Grandpa Jim and Grandma Mary's house.
The kids were not presented out yet, so off we went with as much excitement as the night before. Lilly was thrilled to get a highchair for her babies and her first Littlest Pet Shop and Nolan was very happy about his first pair of rollerblades and an Animal Scramble Game. He has decided our heated garage would be the perfect spot to skate this winter...pretty good idea! The kids all gathered around Jesus' birthday cake while we sang to our Savior. Mary always makes our favorite...confetti Angel Food with whipped strawberry frosting. Yummy! It was Mike's idea years ago to sing Happy Birthday to Jesus underwater style, and that tradition also lives on.
Each one of us felt joy in our heart this Christmas, not only because the children have brought back the magic, but because our house believes. Believing in the true meaning of Christmas...is reason to celebrate! Happy Birthday Jesus! We are truly blessed!

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