Christmas Advent

Here's some pictures of our first week's advent (I forgot to take the last two). Aren't those two little boys adorable?!

I know Amanda is going to kill me for posting this picture of her, but this is the only one where Tasha is not hiding her face, sorry Amandy. So from left to right: Amanda, Bobby Doran, Paige holding Lilly, Amanda's girl; Tasha, Tom, Lydia, Keith, Paige's husband (first year podiatry..go feet!) their son Jackson and Paul.

Isn't that the most precious advent picture? I don't care that it came out fuzzy, this sums up why Tom and I do this. Hopefully each year we can invite a couple new families and enjoy this fun tradition. I just want to say: If we could we would invite everyone we know, but our house and advent weeks are limited.

All About Paul the little details

While I fold laundry I let the kids do whatever they want so as not to ruin my piles. Paul wanted to color. Paul needed a boost. Paul found my scriptures. What is that saying?... Build on the Rock of Christ? or something?

Yes, he still makes this face.

Boy do we love cars! AND, this is the closest we come to seeing a buffalo out here.

I've been working on Christmas crafts this month. That white case is where I store my sewing machine for quick access. Aparently Paul thought so too. I found him here moments after entering our house. Lydia had to use the bathroom. When I got back I found a trail of shoes, socks and ohhh, look where he ended up. And for the record he has my keys in his hands, no wonder I can never find them. That is a face that has been caught.

And finally, this is the trick I use to keep Paul quiet while I put Lyddie down for a nap (yes, I do lay by her still and I still enjoy it). A Box of raisins. It has to be this certain box that doesn't have the wrapper in the inside of the box. Just give Paul a box of raisins and he'll sit right there for ten minutes!!! It's the most wonderful idea I've ever had. This particular time I fell asleep with Lyd so I had been away for 15 mins. Look how happy he is! He is a wonderful boy when he as a box of Sunmaid Raisins. Oh and don't worry, we've been giving him raisins since before he had teeth.

October and November Reads

NASM Personal Fitness Training--Actually, I'm still reading and re-reading this book throughout the year. It's more of a science study book. This is the highest certification you can get in this field, so it really is like taking a college course. I don't think I'll get re-certified any time soon, but I like to read the latest and rummage through this book. It's like my hobby(lame I know)...I'll open it if I get an ich or just bored. I just finished my favorite section this month though so I counted it as a read. Should you read this? ABSOLUTELY MY FRIENDS!!!!! Okay, maybe you'll get bored, but maybe not... Frankenstein--I was intrigued but it wasn't extremely gripping. However, it had great points to argue...just ask Julie and Spencer. Although we all agreed it wasn't the best book ever, it was a great bookclub book. We really discussed it a ton and had great perspectives.

Count of Monte Cristo- I loved this book so much I finished in one and a half weeks. Then I found out I read the unabrigdged 700 page book. I was severely upset. I guess next year I'll have to find the unabridged to find out what happened exactly. If you haven't, read it. It's about revenge and God's blessing.

Moonstone--Loved this book. A great English mystery. I will admit the first hundred pages were hard for me to get into but then it flew by. This is a book that gets over looked. It is a classic and the plot is nice and thick. I think it was only 400 pages, so not too bad. Do I think you should read it? YES!

I think there was another, but I've completely forgotten, so it must have been a lame book.

Youth Trip

These are the most awesome bunch of teenagers I've ever spent the day with. I joined their crew for a day while Tom was busy with school. We voluntered for the Special Olympic that day(about a month ago). Most of these kids are inner-city and belong to this community group called "Building for Books" or something like that. They volunteer their services everyweek doing goodworks. I thought that was awesome, so I took the kids on a Saturday and went with them. I think I am the first person to do that, but they loved the kids anyway and thought I wasn't too old. The only member is Freddy: she's the one with her hands in the air in the top photo. She's the coolest and got me hooked up with this group.

I'd love to be a group leader, but I don't know if they'd let me haul my kids around every Saturday! Anyway, it was a great experience and I love youth who are actively involved in a good cause.