Okay, okay... so I didn't quite make it with a post in 2009... but with a little push from my big sis, let me fill you in on last year.

Owen turned 4 in March and is still all BOY! He gives me a heart attack every other day but is still the most lovable, hugable and kissable little man I know. He attends The Plaid Giraffe Pre-school and loves his teachers and the program. He has really opened up to learning this year (yes I thought for 2 sec he was a lost cause because the boy never sits still). He loves going to school and learning to write and he LOOOVES his teacher (2009-2010) Miss DJ. He also taught himself how to ride a bike with 2 wheels and has already gone through 2 sets of tires, taken his bikes wheels off (you must hide screw drivers from this boy) and put them back on. He also got into his first major bike wreck which has earned him a very ugly battle scar on his elbow that he will proudly carry with him through life.

Sophie turned 7 last September and is still the drama queen of the party. In one of her crying fits this past summer I told her I knew what she should be when she gets older and just like turning off a faucet she looked at me with a plain face and asked "What" to which I replied "an actress". She continues to take ballet and has become so unbelievably graceful. She will be in a recital this April and it is something we all look forward to. Sophie loves playing DSi, drawing and making crafts. She has learned to read this past year and has quite the book collection. She often sings herself to sleep at night which is one of the most precious things I have ever heard.

Jake is still working at General Mills (on the bloody night shift) but it pays the bills so we can't complain to much. He still wants to finish school (1 1/2 YEARS LEFT TO GET HIS BIOLOGY DEGREE) but with his schedule which includes mucho grande overtime we have found it very difficult for him to attain that. Jake turned 32 this last July and has been debating joining the local over 30 (hehe) soccer team to give him a little something extra to look forward to each week. ( I hope he does it) Other than that, Jake spends a lot of time at home with the kids getting them all rowdy for me to calm down.

Let's see, where do I begin with me.... Oh yes, PARIS! I got to go to the beautiful "City of Lights" this past May and it was more than I dreamed it could be. It was a trip I have dreamt about taking for a long time so I can definitely say I can mark something off my bucket list. I hope to go back in the next few years and take Jake with me. I also turned 30 this past year, no grey hairs yet just a few crows feet to wrinkle my nose over. I am still working part time for a surgeon's office 4 days a week so between full-time mom and part time office help I think I have my hands full.

More on the family front... Jake and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary!!!!!! So weird to say I've been married 10 years but I love it and feel it is an accomplishment in today's society. I can't wait for 10 more and 10 more etc... We also bought a house this past October not far from my mom's in an awesome neighborhood where the kids can ride bikes, play in our huge back yard and now have there own rooms to destroy. I love my new house so much and feel so lucky to have my family support us through what has been a very lllooooonnnnggggg and drawn out process. While in the process of moving my little sis got hitched (she was beautiful) and then shortly after that we lost my husbands grandfather (toot-toot peanut butter). So although the last few months of the year seemed filled with good times and bad we did it all togther and that's whats most important.

This next year holds many exciting things for us as a family. We are planning a fabulous family trip (with my mom and dad, sister and family) to DISNEY WORLD!!!!!!!!! We are so stoked about going it's only 4 months away! After Disney we plan on sticking close to home for the summer with lots and lots of swimming involved. And then we gear up for a very important school year.... Owen hits kindergarten by storm!!! So check our blog occasionally for updates, I promise this year will not be like last.

Coming this Dec 2009......... An updated Blog! Can you feel the excitement?

Sophie got a Hippo Chia Pet for Christmas. It is supposed to start growing after 3-5 days. This picture was taking on day 3.

....day 7. Don't think it is doing so well. Darn Chia!!

Owen started preschool January 4th. He goes two days a week (soon will be three) at the same place Sophie goes. He was very excited in the morning to get there, however he cried for about 15 minutes after we left. His teacher Miss Angela said he did very well his first day and after crying he perked up and played. I tried very hard not to cry as we left. I am so excited he get s to go learn and play, but I just don't know what to do with myself when I'm alone. Maybe I should get a hobby!

Anticipating the day maybe?

A few years ago when I was still pregnant with Owen all the grand kids piled on the bed with Grandma and Grandpa and took a picture. It was so cute we decided to update it this year. 9 grand kids, man!!

We unfortunately did not get to many pictures at Grandma and Grandpa Martin's on Christmas Eve because we rolled out the video tape and well, I only have two hands.

But I thought these pictures turned out well!!

Christmas morning at our house. We opened presents and ate our favorite biscuits and gravy with scrambled eggs. The kids loved there gifts and Jake and I enjoyed watching their excitement. Owen was all about opening the presents and tried to move in on his sister's gifts. I love Christmas time, but man am I glad it is over. Till next year I suppose!!!

Every year we try to take a family picture and every year it is a production. Trying to get two kids to look at the camera at the same time and smile as well as making sure mom doesn't have an irritated look on her face from demanding perfection from 3 other people. It's a small miracle we got the shot above.

Christmas started on Sunday for us. We went to Jake's mom's house and had turkey dinner and opened presents. The kids get so spoiled every year. And believe it or not so does Jake. This year he got a Wii and it is SO FUN! My arms are sore from playing tennis and my bum is sore from bowling. The kids love it to. It's fun to watch Owen boxing and Sophie has become a master at golf already.

Well with the little bit of snow we got this year we had to take the kids out to play. Sophie just had to throw snowballs this year and even Owen got in on the action. Afterwards we came in and had hot chocolate (yum) and warmed up by the fire. Of course the snow was melted the next day, but Sophie is still talking about throwing snowballs.

I set up a little surprise for my in-law's this year and got my sister-in-law to fly in from Gulfport, MS a couple of weeks before Christmas. She doesn't usually get to come home this time of year so it was a nice treat. Joe and Sylvia were so shocked when she came down the stairs it even took them a minute to process who she was.

These are some pictures I took this year in my mother-in-law's backyard. The kids are getting so big. I just can't believe time flies by as fast as it does.

Sophie and her friend Jaxson at their Thanksgiving party. They all had indian names given to them and wore vests, necklaces and headdress to celebrate such a great time of year. Sophie's name this year was "Shining Star". I think it suits her quite nicely, don't you?

Random Halloween Pictures.

Halloween started at preschool. Sophie dressed as a cat and looked oh, so cute!! They set up a little carnival and also performed several halloween songs for the parents.

...sitting in a barrel waiting for a ride.
....dressed as a pirate for the actual trick-or-treating. Arrrrgh Matey!!!!
....in one of his many costumes (he only kept on for 5 min)
....in the outift, I mean costume, he actually wore to trick-or-treat in. That boy won't wear anything that doesn't feel like clothes.

General Mills rents out Route 66 Carousel Park every year for their employees for a family day of fun (plus it's all free). We took Nick, the boy I babysit, for Sophia to have fun with. We rode every ride there and some twice. And believe it or not so did Owen. He even loved the ferris wheel which I think is just a little scary. 3 hours later and we were so ready to go!!

Sophie and Owen on the mini alligator roller coaster. Laughing all the way!!
...and Owen and Jake on the slightly bigger and much rougher tiger roller coaster. Yes, laughing and screaming all the way!
On the whirl wind (like Disney's teacup's). Jake had to sit the next ride out becasue he was a little dizzy afterwards.

Pumpkin Patch 2007!

The annual pumpkin patch field trip was lots of fun. The kids go on a hay ride and get to pick pumpkins (the smallest ones in the patch).

This is both the 3 year and 4 yearl Mon-Tues-Fri classes at The Plaid Giraffe.

Sophie and her friend Reece with their pumpkins. How cute!

Sophie's Horse Cake! Thanks to Mac's Bakery. Delicious!!!

Just a few pictures of the party we had at the park. All of Sophie's favorite people were there (minus a few cousins and Aunts and Uncles). The kids had a great time playing on the slide. So much in fact they really didn't wait for anyone to get all the way down EVER!

Sophie opening a few presents at the party. She got 2 really awesome horse collections. One represented all different sorts of breeds and came with cards explaining about each one. Her second favorite gift was a 2-wheel scooter (had to be 2 wheels not 3) thanks to Papa and Grandma Martin. Oh, and thanks to Nana we I haven't gotten her to stop listening to the Highschool Musical Cd yet.

The gang at the park.

...and the slumber party that evening. Can you imagine what they are dancing to? Yep, Highschool Musical!

Just a few pics of Sophie opening presents throughout the day. She abosolutely loves the Barbie movies (she's holding the newest one Barbie and the Island Princess). We also got her a Webkinz since she just recently started playing games on the computer. Her Webkinz is Pink Pony (how original) and she actually showed me how to do everything on its website. What a smartipants!

Happy 5th Birthday Sophia

Date: September 19th 2002

Time: 11:29am

Length: 19 1/2 inches

Weight: 7lb 7oz

(Oh how I remember the 11 hours of labor like it was yesterday)

So we started the morning off with breakfast in bed. She also got her first bouquet of flowers from her daddy. After Jake read her birthday card she reached up and hugged him, told him "I love you daddy", and said that"this is the best birthday ever"! I can't believe she's 5! We are so blessed to have her in our lives. She is a wonderful big sister, truly talented, and such a joy to watch. She makes every day special!