Merry Christmas and Happy 2012!

Another year has come and gone and what a year it's been. Before I get into the exciting things that happened in 2011, I want to apologize for being such a lousy blogger. I guess I've felt that I needed to be in the mood to write a big, long, funny, creative post every time. I avoided blogging a lot of days because I didn't think I'd have the energy to write up a "news paper article" type post. Today, as I was taking down the Christmas decorations, I realized that I should blog more even if it's short and sweet. After all, I started this blog as a journal type thing and I want to remember things that happen in my life. I need to write it weather I'm in the mood for a long creative post, or short and sweet post. It just needs to be documented, period. So I'm sure you've guessed what one of my new years resolutions is. That's right, to post more often on my blog.

Now, onto my reflections of 2011.

1. Taking our family to Utah. It was Rosie and Joseph's first time on an airplane and they loved it. They were so excited to be on a plane and everyone kept on commenting how cute they were. Joseph, because he was under the age of 2, was able to sit on my lap the entire flight. Although being huge a pregnant, it was nice to snuggle with my little guy all the way to Utah. I'd never been to Utah before, or seen mountains for that matter, so I was really excited too. I posted about that trip way back in January, so to find out more, read that post.

2. Dave's business (the quilt shop) has done amazing this year. We were finally able to take a pay cheque each month out of the business (at first all profits were re-invested into the business). What a blessing the quilt shop has become in our lives! I was even able to get my own sewing machine out of Dave's first pay cheque! I'm grateful for all the hard work Dave puts into his business and all he does to support our family.

3. Painting the kitchen and throwing out my back! My kitchen looks amazing, but I threw my back out in the process. I wrote a blog post about that when it happened in February. I never understood it when people would complain about their backs, but now I have huge amounts of sympathy for them. I couldn't do anything when it happened. I was so depressed because I couldn't even take care of the basic needs of my family. Changing a diapers was next to impossible even, and there was absolutely no way I could even attempt to pick up my kids. Another goal of mine is to strengthen my back so that things like that never happen again.

4. Finishing my third quilt. I made Dave an amazing quilt (which made have also contributed to my back problems. It was a difficult pattern, but it was worth all the hours and hours of work. I'm pretty impressed with myself!

5. Michael was born on June 3rd!!! This is the most exciting thing that has happened in 2011. He came basically on time according to my ultrasound (one said June 2, the other said June 4). My water broke at the in-laws house and about 14 hours later he was born. He weighed 8 pounds and 1 ounce. I was so surprised to see his blonde hair and even more surprised to see his blue eyes. I never thought I'd have a blued eyed baby, but I'm glad I do. It's fun to have children that look so different from each other. Michael is a very social baby and therefore never wants to be left alone, even at bedtime. I spent the first couple weeks of Michael's life holding him, ALL the time. He suffered from a bit of colic, but became a different baby once I cut of dairy and once Dave gave him a blessing. He's almost 7 months now and I'm so happy to have him in our family :)

6. I ran my second 5 km race. I raced at Bayfront park and it wasn't easy. I gained a lot of weight while being pregnant, more than I've ever gained, so I had more to carry around when I ran. It was a nice run and I'd like to do it again sometime. Running more is another goal of mine.

7. Rosie started school. It was very emotional sending my little girl off to school, but she's doing great. Her teacher is amazing and she's learning so much. It's like she woke up one morning and started coloring instead of scribbling, and she could suddenly write her name. She won the courage award and preformed in the holiday concert. I'm so proud of how far she's come since September.

8. Joseph went potty. Although he's nowhere near potty trained, he's gone on the potty a few times already! He's such a smart boy and I know he'll be trained in no time. Joseph also learned all his letters, uppercase and lowercase this year. Like I said, he's a smart boy!

9. Two of Dave's cousins were married this year.

10. Jane, Autumn, and Iris came for a visit. I really love that family and wished they lived closer, or could visit more often.... or maybe we should visit them in Hawaii (I like the sound of that!) Autumn and Iris are such beautiful and sweet girls and Rosie loves hanging out with them. I'm so glad the weather was nice the days they were here.

11. Halloween was a lot of fun. Rosie dressed as a princess, Joseph was Tigger, and Michael was a lobster and I was a chef and carried him around in a pot!

12. Thanksgiving was wonderful as always. It great to spend time with family, reflecting on our many blessings. I wrote a blog post about that too. I really love Thanksgiving and can't wait until we have a house large enough to host it. I have a lot of ideas up my sleeve, thanks to pinterest.com

13. Christmas was wonderful as always! I'll quickly list what the kids got for Christmas, since I neglected to write a Christmas post.

Rosie

- Ariel Barbie

- Gabriella Barbie (highschool musical)

- Purple slippers

- Light bright

- Tinkerbell sticker book

- Tinkerbell book with figurines

- New Christmas dress

- 150 piece puzzle

- New pajamas

- Color wand Fairy

- Princess Leia costume

- Princess dress

Joseph

- Thomas the Tank Engine puzzle

- Toy Story puzzle

- Winnie the Pooh puzzle

- Backpack from the Gap

- Cars sticker book

- Toy Story book with figurines

- Cars Color Wonder

- Superman T-shirt and new jeans

- Dinosaur toys

- Pirate ship

- New Pajamas

- Jedi Knight Costume

- Dragon hat

Michael

- Sophie the giraffe toy

- Fridge Zoo by Leapfrog

- Teething Toys

- New pajamas

- Canada outfit

- Yoda costume

- Baby toy car

I'm sure there's more stuff that each kid got, but I can't remember right now.

Mike, Katie, and baby David have been visiting all December and that has been a lot of fun. It's will be sad to see them go next week.

14. Katie is pregnant! She's expecting her new baby boy in February!

15. Shannon had her baby a few days before Christmas. Her baby girl was named Gwendolyn.

16. My friend Tara also had a baby in December and she also had a girl, named Gabriella.

17. Dave attended quilt market this year in Texas. He had a great time meeting all the industry bigwigs and spending time with his BFF Al. I sure missed him when he was gone, but I'm glad he was home in time for Halloween.

18. Dave started teaching seminary this year. It's a calling that he's very excited about, but stressed at how much time it takes. It's hard when we have a family with 3 small kids. I know he loves his calling but will probably only teach for 1 year.

19. April got engaged! Her wedding will be in May :)

There are many more exciting things that I just can't think of right now. It's been a great year and I hope 2012 will be just as wonderful, or better.

Me Ka Aloha
- Elisabeth

Do the Potty Dance!

Guess who used the potty for the first time today?In the words for the man himself, J-O-S...E-P-H!! He went twice today, although I don't think he has any clue what's going on. I gave him some juice, then sat him down until he went. After he went we all cheered and I gave him a chocolate chip. Since Christmas is coming up, we're going to take it slow for now, but in the new year, it's potty training full speed ahead!

Me Ka Aloha

- Elisabeth

We have a 4 year old!

Today our dear daughter turns 4!!!! We celebrated with an amazing party put on by my Mom. It was a Princess Tea Party, and it was sooooo cute! All the guests got dressed up in a princess dress. They started with a craft where they decorated a picture frame

with glittery stickers. The frame had a certificate of completion of Princess Level 1 and there was a place on the top of the frame to hold their tiara. After, they danced the princess freeze dance, and got lip gloss and shimmer dust when they froze. They also learned how to be a real prin
cess by learning how to sing and stay away from poison apples. All the guests had a chance to meet the Grand Duke and try on Cinderella's glass slipper. They also took a
ride in Cinderella's carriage and posed for some pictures. Rosie loved her little mermaid cake too!! It was a blast and Rosie got some awesome gifts (lucky girl).

Happy Birthday Princess Rosie!! Mommy and Daddy love you soooooo much!

Yummy yummy!

On Saturday (November 19th) Michael tried baby food for the first time. I figure the little guy was ready because he's been mimicking chewing every time he sees me eat and he's 5 1/2 months old (already!). I've also been letting hum suck on an apple for the last few weeks and he LOVES that. When I take the apple away from him he cries his most angry cry until I bring it back. It's actually pretty funny to see. So any way, on Saturday I put a little breast milk in a bowl and mixed in some rice cereal. Michael loved it! He was a little surprised at first, but after the initial shock he did great. We even mixed in the tiniest amount of apple juice because we knew he'd love it. Unlike Joseph, who would gag when we fed him, Michael swallowed up his bowl of rice cereal and I had to make him more. Today, I think we're going to try carrots!

Me Ka Aloha
- Elisabeth

Post From Dave

Cute story. So today Whitney brings cupcakes to seminary to celebrate Nicole's birthday. Having some extra, she offers to let me take the remaining three cupcakes home and gives me the big white cardboard box they came in. Since I never reject food, I gladly accept her offer.

So I get home with a bunch of stuff in my hands and Rosie is waiting for me at the door with the magic fairy wand she made with Elisabeth. So she's talking to me and says "daddy, I'm gonna wave my magic wand and make some cupcakes (she honestly had no idea what was in the box (nor do I think she noticed it - this cupcake idea was completely random)". I said "oh that's cute honey". Then I remembered that I had the cupcakes. Perfect! So I said "Rosie, why don't you do your magic spell one more time and see if you can make cupcakes appear inside this box. So she sings "bibbity bobbity boo!" and touches the box with her wand. I open the box, to her absolute amazement, revealing the three cupcakes.

You should have seen the look on her face! At first she was awestruck, but soon started shaking out of pure excitement. Not sure what she's going to try to make next with her magic wand, but hopefully we'll have some of whatever it is in stock!

Requests

Dear Rosie's Future Husband,

Rosie has requested a purple butterfly engagement ring. Do not disappoint.

Sincerely,
You Future Mother-in-law

That Takes Courage

Last week was a busy week for all of us. Dave went to Missouri and Texas for quilt market which left me home alone with the kids. That same week Rose had picture day, her first ever class trip to a pumpkin farm, Halloween Day at school, and we all had a Halloween Trunk or Treat Party at the church. Oh and the best part, Rose won the courage award at her school's character assembly!! I went to the school to watch her receive her award. Her teacher said "at first she wouldn't say much to me and got upset a few times but now she's brave and talks and answers questions. That takes courage!" It was so adorable watching her go up and get her certificate.

At the Halloween party everyone loved mine and Michael's costume. Too bad they didn't give out awards because everyone said we would have won. Rose was too scared of some of the other costumes (I don't blame her) and she cried on my Mom's lap until she fell asleep. Joseph wasn't really into the whole Halloween thing. He wore a Tigger costume, but never wanted to wear the headpiece. Any way.... here's some pictures from last week...Me Ka Aloha
- Elisabeth