CHRISTMAS (memories)

Yes, I realize everyone beat me with their Christmas posts, but I'm not THAT late. It's still January, right.

For Christmas Jeff and I were able to take some extra time off work and we spent a few days prior to Christmas at my parents house and managed to do lots of shopping and baking. Christmas Eve was just the immediate family at Mom and Dad's and then Christmas Day my Mom's entire extended family came over to celebrate. The holidays go by so fast but it was nice to relax and see our family and friends!

We had a wonderful Christmas. Here are some pictures to prove it!

Jason - taking a power nap. He started on those Jack and Cokes around 11am so no wonder he passed out!

Danny - I think he was emotionally drained after his daughter got a promise ring from her boyfriend
Kaitie and Jake - they finally got a nice little nap

Dad and Me- Dad was working (he works so hard and is doing such a great job, I am so proud of him!) and I was watching 24 hours of a Christmas story ( I love that movie)

Ruby- Even the dogs were so bored us they just went to sleep too!

Don't we look like the life of the party here?!?!

We really weren't that boring but it seems we didn't take any pics of the fun stuff. It was so fun to play with Jacob and try to get him to pull on the wrapping paper and unwrap his toys. It is amazing how quickly he is growing up. He has such a personally, we can tell when he is faking a cry, he loves to watch people and see whats going on, and he love his Aunt (me)!!

Jake- Had fun tearing off the wrapping paper...okay, maybe not so much. Meg had to help him a lot

He got the last piece here! Next year he will be so fun to watch un wrap the gifts!

And he loves the toy Jeff and I got him. But of course he tried to put it in his mouth!

The season of giving

You know the saying "Christmas is the season of giving" well Mom and Dad were definitely in the giving mood this holiday season.

They totally spoiled us with an awesome video camera, Chanel earrings (they are awesome), as well as lots of other goodies!

But the highlight of the giving this year had the whole family in tears! Here's the story......

So besides my Dad and Mom being the is the most generous people I know. They always work so hard and have always done so much for my sister and I no matter how hard it was at the time. We appreciate and admire them so much. They are such a wonderful example to us of a mother and father, a wife and husband, and as friends! Okay, enough of that.... here's the story!

My Dad has been talking about getting a new car for awhile now. And he decided he would give the Mercedes to my cousin Ashley when he got his new car. Well, thanks to my Mom and Meg, they convinced him if he didn't give the Mercedes to Ash on Christmas he would never by himself a new car.

So, on Christmas Day after presents my Dad told Ashley in front of everyone that he had something for her in the garage and that if she promised to finish school and her dental program she could have this and he handed her the keys. OMG! She was stunned and in tears! It was so awesome to see her reaction. We all went outside while she checked out the car and took it spin around the block.

Well, Dad is now car less but he did buy a new car. Of course for the color combo and everything he wanted with it they had to special order and he now has to wait a couple weeks to get his car! At least he has a work truck to get him to and from!

Goodbye 2007

All about 2007...............

What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before?
Went to Chicago and had surgery

Did you keep your new year’s resolutions and will you make more next year?
I don't make to many resolutions! I just try to accomplish my goals all year long and focus those. I have been and will continue to study for the CPA exam. Hopefully in 2008 we can celebrate the passing scores!!

Did anyone close to you give birth?
My sister!!

Did anyone close to you die?
Jeff's Uncle and my friends Mom

What countries did you visit?
I never left the country but I did visit Chicago and New York.

What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
Self discipline and patience

What date from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory and why?
Our trips to Chicago and New York

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Staying at the same job all year!!

What was your biggest failure?
Not passing my CPA exam

Did you suffer illness or injury?
Yep, broke my tow in August, had surgery on it in October and it is still broken to this date!

Where did most of your money go?
Property Tax, the Mortgage and Nordstrom

What did you get really really really excited about?
Jacob's birth and my Dad finally owning the business

What song will always remind you of 2007?
Bubbly by Colbie Caillat

What do you wish you’d done more of?
Gotten involved in a Church and small group

What do you wish you’d done less of?
Stressing myself out

Did you fall in love in 2007?
I fall more in love with Jeff every day.

What was your favorite TV program?
The Hills and Take Home Chef

What was the best book you read?
Do the CPA study books count?

What was your greatest musical discovery of 2007?
XM Radio

What did you want and get?
A new car

What did you want and not get?
A whole lot, particularly passing my exam

What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?
I turned 27 and I worked on my birthday! It is in middle of tax season so I am lucky to leave work early to go to dinner with the family, my parents and sister came up!

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Passing the exam

How would you describe your personal fashion concept for 2007?
Brand name snob. I love wearing cute tops with the designer jeans and high heels!

What kept you sane?
My husband

Who do you miss?
My Uncle and Grandfathers

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007?
That I am not in control of the things in my life.
God is in total control whether I like it or not.

New Year, New You...

With the new year, as always, at least for me, comes the dream of making positive changes in my life... new goals that I would like to achieve. So, as 2007 comes to an end and the beginning of 2008 is looking upon us, I have been reflecting on what would I like to see change in my life in this new year. My top 3 things that I would like to see accomplished are:

1) For starters, I really want pass the CPA exam. I want/need to pass this exam so I can advance in my career and begin to start school for my Masters in Taxation. This year I will study more and really work hard on passing this exam!

2) I would also like for us to get active in a church that we can call home. We visited a church but we have been traveling so much we haven't made an effort to attend when we are here. And we want to join the small groups but we always find a reason not to go to church, so how can you commit to a group if you can't commit to church on Sunday. But really, none of that matters... what does matter is that we need to get involved in a church and small group and that is one of my goals for 2008!!

3) I also have the goal of getting up with Jeff in the morning. Normally, he gets up for work at 7:30 by himself and gets ready for work while I am still in bed sleeping. I am more of a night owl so I tend to stay up way too late. But that is going to change, I am going to start getting up when he does and start making it into work at a normal hour!!!

I hope you all have a most beautiful start to the new year!!!!!