Alex's Birthday

Alex turned one in January! He is the sweetest, most content baby in the world and we all love him soooo much! We celebrated with family, had cake, and he even got some present, including a signed Jimmer picture! Score!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas seems like it was a few months ago, but it was just one month ago! We had a great Christmas and like always, I didn't take as many pictures as I wished I had. But here's some evidence of our holidays (in reverse order).

Great Grandma Hall with Alex

Christmas Craziness with the Hall Family

Ryan in his new hockey costume

Jane excited with clothes

Christmas Eve Jammies

Acting out the Nativity

Principal's Pride

Ever since Jane learned about the Principal's Pride Award, she has wanted it! I don't know exactly how it works, but it goes something like this: Each teacher picks one student a month to receive this award, the Principal comes in to award the student, and then the student gets to eat lunch with the Principal. Today the Principal came in and awarded it to Jane! She was so excited to tell me the good news and I am soooo proud of her! Tomorrow she gets to eat lunch with Mr. Finch and she's more than thrilled to do so! Funny! Here's to you Jane, you earned it ;)

No Shopper's Remorse Here!

Sometimes I buy things and later think Why oh why did I buy that? Other times (most times) I buy something and don't give it another thought. But every once in a while, a purchase is made that makes me thankful everyday for it! These shoes are my most favorite purchase of 2010. Keep in mind people that 9 times out of 10 I will choose comfort over style. That's just me :) SO they might not be the most attractive shoes, but long ago I learned a valuable lesson from my Old Man. The lesson is this - "Good Enough"

So in the cuteness department, the shoes are good enough. In the comfort department, these shoes are AMAZING!!! They are as soft as slippers inside and never had a "wearing in" phase. I wear them daily and I think how much I love them daily. I usually do not like giving up my flip flops, but this time I made the switch without a grudge. And now I will stop talking about my shoes

Santa

Finally, a good Santa picture! This year I decided to not make my kids sit on Santa's lap. Usually I do because I think the screaming pictures are hilarious, but this year I thought why would I do that to my kids? I should be praising them that they're uncomfortable sitting on a strange man's lap and want to scream and run away! Isn't that what I've been trying to teach them this whole time? So they asked if we were going and I said no we didn't have to, only if they wanted to. And they said they did! Weird!

Day of Santa mall visit they still wanted to go but said they were a little nervous. I told them they could just stand by Santa and didn't have to sit on his lap. When we got to the front of the line, Jane said she wanted to stand, Ryan wanted to sit on Santa's lap, and Alex didn't have a choice :) He cried at first, but calmed down once he realized Jane and Ryan were right there.

Best part was what they told Santa they wanted.

Jane - "I want a pink telescope"

Ryan - "I want a blur telescope"

Hmmmm, hopefully the bikes will be good enough ;)