Should old acquaintance be forgot.......

Happy New Year!

Doesn't it feel so FRESH and NEW?

I have heard so many bid 2009 good-bye without sadness. I think it was a tough year for many, but even so I look back at the good things of 2009.

As much as I hate the idea of a Resolution, I cannot help myself from wanting to start some new habits, like working out and eating better (CLASSIC) and potty training Fin or for Gabbie to start helping around the house (for an allowance of course).

How ever you are looking at 2010,I hope the future is BRIGHT(er).

Merry CHristmas to ALL...

You did not think I could end the year without some Santa pics right??

I also added the random pictures from most of November.

It seems the busier we are, the less I blog and we have been pretty busy.

Check it out!

Gabrielle and Finley with Santa

2009

The Big Sister with Santa

(Finley wanted nothing to do with a picture alone with Santa)

One of my FAVORITE days this season.

Prairie Berry, limo, my best Girls and a FABULOUS DAY!!!!!

Thanks Kim, Steph, Angela, Amy N, Amy and Erin.

Jason's RESPEC Holiday Party.

Some of the Water & Natural Resources Dept.

Have a great 2010 guys!

Our annual pre-party photo.




Gabbie's first night "down on the floor" at gymnastics. She did so awesome.
It was a tough decision on whether to make the move, but now we are glad we did.





Gabbie and the Nutcracker at "The Nutcracker Ballet"
I was mesmerized, but Gabbie got a little bored.
It is mostly locals and I can't wait for the next one!!








Happy Birthday Jason!
We had an awesome dinner at "The Corn Exchange"









The Festival of Trees 2009
Grandma got stuck in this photo, but I think it is pretty cute.








Balance, Girl!

Gabbie and Jas at a Rush Hockey game.

Me and the girl, goofing around.

The game really was good.

HOPPY Easter!!!

We hope you all are enjoying your Easter Sunday!

Gabbie, Jason & I dyed Easter eggs last Sunday.

I am so glad I started getting ready for Easter early, because of our busy schedule this week.

I also realized that the simple, no-gimmick dye kits are the easiest and the prettiest.

OOPS!!!!
We had only one sacrificed out of 1 & 1/2 dozen...not bad!

On a side note:

I added a couple of new blogs to my faves.

Check out "The Celebrity Juice".

It is a SHAMELESS obsession!

Christmas Pictures!

I am just not ready for the holidays to be over.

Remember my post about all the stress?...Well, I am ready for that to be over, but this time of year seems gloomy to me.

COLD, GRAY, DARK...YUCK!

So, I am gonna FINALLY post some Christmas photos, just so I can relive the holidays.

All the stress was worth it. It was the best Christmas ever!

Princess Gabrielle at her finest.

Amy at Legacy always gets the shot!




Sweet, sweet Finley!




Gabbie is becoming a ROCK STAR!
Funny Story:
Jas & I both bought Guitar Hero for each other.
I think it was a gift for himself, but it is fun!




Tutorial?!?

This was Fin's present from Santa.

This is the exact scene "Santa" pictured when he brought the kitchen to our house.

The Burrus Family

Davin, Shelby Jr, Diane, Shelby Sr, Jason, Sonja

Brayden (7), Hadley (8 mos), Finley (1), Gabbie (4)

OK Cute Gabs, but check out Jason's face..."What am I going to do with her when she is 16?!"

"Hello!"

Barbie has a mansion.

Christmas Eve with Nanna. So fun!

We have sort of started a tradition to cooksomething new for our dinner.

We have had a few FAILURES (gnocci, lamb), but we always have fun!

The Holiday Season

These are the BIG TICKET items that we are asking Santa for this year. Can you guess who wants what? :) I think mom will be the only naughty girl, because that picture DOES NOT mean that I want to clean the house for Christmas, but I think I will be doing just that.

This item is actually in our basement right now. He is "just trialling it."

This is sooo cute!

Barbie MUST have 3 stories!!!!

As the countdown to Christmas gets serious, I have started to FREAK out a little.

Birthday party, Christmas program, Christmas dresses, Christmas pictures, Christmas cookies, Christmas decorations, Christmas tree, Christmas presents and the list goes on and on.

I have always had a theory about starting all of this early (like in the summer): I think that if I started that early, I would still continue to shop, decorate and plan up to the 25th, which does not mean less stress or less cost. I also really love "The Spirit" of the holidays. I like to shop with the Christmas music up above. I feel like I get more creative as the days in December go by.

After saying all of that...I am going to try to plan for next year starting December 26th. I am not sure what has changed this year to make me feel a little more stressed. I have added more stuff to our family commitments, but I am not willing to let anything go. I guess you can say...I WANT IT ALL!!!

This post is not meant to be negative. I really love the holidays and the girls have brought a whole new level of anticipation. If you can relate to this at all, I hope you have time to ENJOY a few of your own things this season!

Here are a few of the things we've been up to.

Gabbie and Finley's childcare center have a Christmas program every year. The kids get all dressed up and the older ones sing. They sit with Santa and play a few games. It has become a tradition! (Fin was not crazy about the big guy in red.)

This is the first of 4 Christmas functions for Jason's company.

Gabbie's class went to the public library for a field trip. She's getting so big!

Gabbie had her second gymnastics awards night. She really enjoys this activity and she got her balance beam award. PRESENT!

Halloween & Jason's Deer

We had an awesome Halloween. I really think it is one of my favorite holidays. It has even become sort of it's own season. We had such amazing weather this year. I have so many fun ideas for next year if the weather is as nice...it will probably BLIZZARD!! ;)

My 2 Tinkerbells with Great Grandma.

OOHHH Gabs!?!?

!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BOO

Our Peter Pan Theme...I will keep a family theme going every year for as long as I can. Next year...Alice in Wonderland?



Isn't she lovely?



We had a pumpkin carving party at Grandma and Grandpa's. I think they turned out pretty good. Brayden & Gabbie had a great time.

Just a fun shot of my peanut. Fin has had a rough couple of weeks with a flu bug. We have gone through lots of pedia-lyte, diapers and balmex, but I think we are getting over it.

Well, I warned you all that these pics were coming.

Jas got his Hills Archery Buck and it is a nice one.

GOOD JOB!!

What's with the tongue?