She's Licensed!!!

It's official! Lauren got her driver's license this morning! She was so excited. She's offered to get breakfast for everyone, gone to the store a couple of times. It is kind of nice having another driver!!!

Toddles!
Chelley

Ice Skating

Today, Lauren, Megan, Alyssa & Catarina went ice skating. This was Catarina's first time on skates. They all had a great time!! After skating, there was lunch and shopping, of course!!

Toodles,

Chelley

Pigs must be flying!!!!

After we finish family meals at mom's, Cheryl, Cara, Mom and I always do the dishes while the guys put the table and chairs away. Well, I don't know if anyone said anything to them, but Lauren and Alyssa came into the kitchen and STARTED WASHING DISHES!!!!! Mom grabbed her camera to prove it actually happened!!!

ETA: Mike did say something to them to get into the kitchen to help.


Toodles,
Chelley

Decking the Halls

I didn't get a chance to post this earlier, so I guess better late than never!! We don't have a themed tree, it pretty much a hodge-podge of ornaments. Basically, it tells the story of our life---ornaments that represent things the kids are involved in, that we have made or I have a few that belonged to my grandparents. I also have a nativity set that belonged to my grandparents. My grandfather made the barn. So, every year, Megan sets it up. She says that everyone is there to see the baby, so everyone is circled around Mary and the Baby Jesus. It is too cute!! Here are a few of our Christmas decorations.

My grandparent's Nativity

Ornaments that I remember seeing hanging on my grandparent's tree.

Our tree

Mr. Snowman candle holder.


Toodles,
Chelley

Merry Christmas

I almost didn't make it, but I did!!! On Saturday, I finished my last Christmas task---mailing my Christmas cards!! I've been so busy working on cards and pictures for other people, that I didn't get to mine in a timely fashion!

Christmas Eve came and we lounged around the house most of the day, Megan was checking NORAD for Santas location. We went to a candle-light service at church then out to dinner. After we got home, the kids got to open two gifts.....Christmas jammies and their gifts from each other. Mike and I open our gifts from each other, too. We sat in the dark with just the glow of the lights from our tree watching "A Christmas Story". We watch it every year, but we love watching it!

Megan woke up at 6:30 am, so everyone got up and got ready to see what Santa brought them. Santa did a good job, everyone was satisfied with what he brought them. We did some cooking for lunch and the kids played with their gadgets, gizmos & toys. We spent the afternoon at moms with my sisters and their families. It seems each year there is one more kiddo and it will be true again next year, too!! Cheryl is half way through her pregnancy---it's going to be a boy!!! Anyway, we had lots of good food and fun!!!

I hope that you and your family had a very blessed Christmas!

Toodles,

Chelley

Pay it Forward!!

Something very cool happened to us yesterday. Lauren got a Starbuck's gift card at the youth party on Wednesday night and I had a buy one/get one free, so she said she'd buy me a mocha on Thursday. We went through the drive-thru and ordered our drinks. When we got to the window, the guy told us our drinks had already been paid for.....by the car in front of us!!!! The car before her paid for hers, etc. So, Lauren, payed it forward and paid for the car behind us. I've always heard about his happening, but have never been a part of it. It really felt good to see my daughter, without any hesitation, offer to pay for a stranger and be excited about it!!

Toodles,
Chelley

Daddy's Home!!!!

Mike's home! He's been gone a week and believe it or not, we all missed him!! He was in Idaho visiting his parents. He took care of some things around their house. He also was picking up a little peek-a-poo puppy named Mattie. Her caregiver couldn't take care of her any more and Randal (Mike's bro) wanted this dog to give to his wife, Paula for Christmas. So, Mike has this little blue carrier with a prissy dog in it--carrying it on the airplane with him!! This dog is funny. When you take her outside to go potty, you take her out, let her leash out as far as it will go and while holding the leash, turn your back.....she won't do her business while you are watching!! Anyway, Mike got in at 11 pm last night and got up at 545 am to meet Randal in Alvarado. Paula wasn't supposed to come, but she did, so the had her get in the van and Lauren was cuddling the dog so she couldn't see it. After Randal got his camera ready, Lauren gave her the puppy and Randal told her it was hers. She cried. She was so happy!! She has wanted a little puppy for a while! Mattie will be the perfect dog for her.


Anyway, Mike left Sunday and got back last night. Megan and Lauren especially missed their daddy! Mike was ready to come home on Monday!! Our week started off rocky, but got better.


We have one more week of school til our Christmas vacation!!! Oh, we cannot wait!!! We will be out until the 7th. I'm not sure what we're going to do, but I do know that I'm not planning lots of things to do like I did during Thanksgiving break!


Everyone have a great week!!
Toodles,
Chelley

Believing

Megan still believes. So, I got a picture of her with "The Big Guy".

Toodles,

Chelley

Oh Happy Day!!!!!

I just got the phone call!!!! They arrested the punk who robbed us last month!!! He's probably already out on bond, but his criminal case is moving forward. We should be getting a call from the County DA's office soon. The trial will probably not happen for 6 months, but it will happen now!!!!!!

I'm so HAPPY!!! Happy Dancing going on here!!!

Toodles
Chelley

Lauren got her class ring today!!

Ok, here we go again!! I remember when Matt got his during his junior year and now he is graduated....that means that things are going to happen really fast from here on out!!! Lauren was so excited and this afternoon she is being fitted for her letterman jacket!! She's growing up, (sigh, wiping a tear from my eye!)

Toodles,

Chelley

Christmas pics & an outtake!

We had a family photo shoot for Christmas pictures. Below you will see a card for each of the kids and my kids are on one card. The first picture was really funny!! Matt put the antlers on and snuck in behind Alyssa (she had no clue he was there). I took the picture and then EVERYONE started laughing. Alyssa had no clue, because Matt had snuck out and ran away. When I showed her the picture, she went chasing after him. It turned out really great!!! Ok, I admit it, I put him up to it.

Enjoy!!

Toodles,

Chelley

Pictures as promised

Here are a few pictures from the banquet. Lauren with Kirsten & Taylor, they refer to themselves as Charlies Angels. They all look so pretty and clean up real nice!!

Toodles,

Chelley

WOW!!! What a week!!

I know I just had a week off, but I didn't get any rest....every moment was planned out and I was on the go!!! I'm tired!!! I think the rush has slowed down, but I still have lots of things to do!!! We had the volleyball banquet on Saturday night, and Lauren looked beautiful - Mike wasn't a fan of the dress--too short, too low cut and not enough material!!! One mom said next year just get her a habit!!! Megan's volleyball season is winding down and she will start a volleyball academy this week. Lauren has started club. She tried out and made the 18's team. We are excited because she has had Coach Ortiz before and Coach is an awesome teacher!!! She is planning on making Lauren a DS (defensive specialist). Matt's first semester should be ending in a couple of weeks---we'll see how he did, we have no clue!!!!

Just wanted to check and let you know we're still around. I'll post pictures from the banquet soon.

Toodles,
Chelley