Long overdue recap!!

My life as a mom, wife, friend, sister, daughter and all the other "titles" I hold, are some of my greatest treasures. At times though, they can seem to feel as they will swallow me up sometimes - with the possibility of spitting me out...someday. There are times when I think I handle all my titles and responsibilities fairly well, and then there are times where I feel like I could drown and I am doing a crappy job with all of them. I think my lack of blogging over the last almost 2 months is probably due to the fact that I was just trying to keep my head afloat. I needed to do the best I could at my most important titles - that of being a wife and mom. I am not sure I really succeeded in that, but I know I tried.

So, since I haven't posted any pictures of my cute kids in forever and I know some grandma's and aunts out there are wishing I would....I will post lots of pictures! Lucky day for you, I know!

First up - my squishy, kissable baby!!! Dang, he's cute!! Can you believe his 1st birthday is coming up in February!!! Man, where does the time go?!!?As we were eating dinner one night, Parker decided to amuse us all with a game of Peek-a-boo.

Halloween 2009 - Zach as a Star Wars dude (don't remember the name), Chloe as Cinderella (thanks Morgan for the costume!!! It is getting lots of use!), and Parker as a chunky pumpkin!

Teach them while they are young....Wanna play the grass game anyone? (yes, my family is probably the only one's who know what I am talking about)

Thanksgiving was small and quite this year. We enjoyed a nice turkey dinner....just the 5 of us. Here are a few pics from the day.... Our turkey table decorations....(Chloe, Zach, Tracy, Chris)

The boys have been doing a lot of mountain biking lately. Chris was able to take off work for a week at Thanksgiving and then 2 weeks at Christmas. He used to mountain bike religiously before we got married. He finally just got a new bike so he could get riding again. Well, since Zach wants to do everything that his good old dad does - he had to get a bike too! I am glad they can go do this together.

Zach has been doing SO awesome in school lately!! He has stayed on the Honor Roll and has really been trying hard to do his best and behave his best. I am really, really proud of him and all he is accomplishing!! He brought home this certificate last month from the principal. He, along with 3 other kids were chosen to have lunch with the principal (on the stage in front of the cafeteria!!), and then they got an otter-pop from him! What a fun day that was!!

Chloe-girl waiting for Santa... Chloe insisted that she wear her Christmas dress (that Karleigh passed down to her!) to her Preschool Christmas party. She looked beautiful!Christmas Eve 2009 - For many years growing up, we put on the nativity while my dad read the Christmas story. I know as I got older and "cooler", I fought that tradition. But now I see how fun it must have been for my parents!! It was fun to get the kids dressed up - or at least 2 out of the 3 - even if it only lasted for a few minutes. Parker refused to keep anything on his head. At first we thought it would be funny to have him be baby Jesus - but we realized he wouldn't fit in the little cradle (this is my cradle that my dad made me when I was little!) - plus he surely wouldn't hold still! It was hard enough to get him to sit next to the cradle without him mauling our little baby Jesus!

Chloe was SO excited to be Mary!!

Christmas Morning 2009 - Coming down the stairs to check out what Santa brought! (yes I realize Chloe's pj's are mismatched! She did go to bed with matching pants....promise!

Santa did come and was very good to us this year! (and Grandpa and Grandma Clay) Thanks so much for everything!!!

I asked Chloe what she wanted to make for the boys for Christmas. Since her life right now revolves around playing dress-up, it makes sense that her immediate response was.....a Prince costume!! She helped me make them and was SO excited for them to open it!!

After opening up our presents, we had a yummy breakfast and then vegged the rest of the day. We watched movies, went to the park, ate yummy stuff from our stockings and then had a nice ham dinner later that night. I sure wish we could have been close to family this holiday season! We are so far away from anyone, but we appreciate you thinking of us and sending us gifts and love!! We love you all!!!

That is a quick, jumbled recap of the last few months. I hope everyone has had a fabulous holiday season. I will try to do better at posting from now on.....!