Wow, sometimes I just forget that I am a blogger. I used to be so faithful . . . but then the holidays hit and so did life for us. Things have been absolutely crazy for us lately. With Cory starting up his new business which included 2 trips to Washington and 1 to Oregon so far in the past 2 months, his school, the holidays-- and now us moving into our own place again (yes it was like 4 days before Christmas . . its been insane. I have had NO time for thought. We are STILL not fully packed into our new place--- but I have never been more relieved to call a place home again. Araleigh is absolutely LOVING where we live now. Though it's temporary--- its better than nothing and to be honest its so comfortable in this new apartment. Its HUGE. So thats been nice. Anyways, I do have to say that I was a bit on the spoiled side this year. Cory suprised me back in November for my birthday my nice slr camera and then he suprised me with a brand new chest drawers that is awesome for Christmas. I was shocked-- he spent WAY over the budget we gave each other. Not fair. I LOVE LOVE it though. Christmas was so fun with Araleigh and Canden this year. Araleigh got her "frog" (leapster) game that she has been asking for for 6 months--- she ran right up to it and hasn't let go of it since. We spent this year with my parents. Since we had just moved our stuff into the apartment and it was like wall to wall with boxes = we went and stayed with them for less stress and of course-- they had the Christmas tree. I am antsy now for this rush of holidays to be over so we can settle down again. Cory is going to be gone a bunch the next couple of months so it will be nice to have my own place. Thanksgiving was crazy fun this year. Everyone came up. The kids had a blast and it was good having everyone around! We did a small little picture session with the Ports-- ours didn't turn out as well as I wanted but we will redo later!
After Thanksgiving we were able to go meet Uncle Bryce at the airport. He came off of his mission the Wednseday after. It was a lot of fun to see him and his excitement to see everyone! It has been great having him home and suprisingly Araleigh LOVES him. She is ALWAYS concerned about where Bryce is and if she gets to go talk to him. Bryce has really taken to Canden as well. Canden is just the cutest, happiest thing ever and Bryce seems to enjoy holding him.
The weekend after we took a quick trip to Utah and did the Polar Express. We stayed with the Shirts family, which is always fun. We ended up leaving Canden with Rebecca because of how cold it was and took Araleigh. It was good for us to just take her and do our thing with just her. It t ook us about an HOUR of her screaming because we took her from her "friends" (Sara and Kate). . . she was so mad at us and fought us the whole way up but absolutely LOVED the train when we finally got there. She was so excited when she saw Santa outside at the North Pole. We had hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies made from Mrs. Claus. She loved it. Cory got to play a key role in the singing festevities. He was "8 Milking Maids" and he thought it was pretty funny . . and was very loud on his part. It was fun and we ended the trip at Brocks house with some dinner and some Rock Band playing. It was a good weekend. Then we spent that next week running around like chickens. Araleigh had her first Cheer recital. WOW . . can I say it was the proudest moment for me. I will post it later if I can. SO CUTE! I loved going and even both grandparents showed up to support her. She loved it. Then same week was her Preschool Christmas program. She was an angel. It was so fun being able to go to all these things for her. It has kept her busy and excited about going and doing things. At cheer she has now accomplished her bridge . . perfectly. Her teacher says she will most likely be doing walk overs by April. CRAZY that she learned so fast. But she is doing way better than expected.
The Hendricks side had TWO Christmas parties this year. One at the beginning . . . we had a dinner/get together and Santa showed up. The kids had wrote him letters before he came and ended up just giving them to him instead of having to mail them out. Great timing Santa! Then we had our official party on the 23rd. Of course Grandma Chrys went all out like always--- making a turkey and such. The kids got some great presents and did we and we did the toilet paper roll-- which the kids always love. Canden LOVED when Grandpa read the Nativity story from the Bible. He just kept smiling and talking to Grandpa while he tried to read it. Grandpa did all he could not to talk to him back and continue on with the story. It was pretty cute!Christm
as Eve we spent at the Arnolds-- doing the annual Seafood Dinner. It was amazing! Always is . . but this week had been sio stressful because of us moving into the new apartment this week. I cannot believe we got through it. We ended up sleeping at Grandma/Pa Hendricks because we weren't settled yet into the apartment. It was so much fun to wake up and have a Christmas with two kids. . . . and sharing it with my mom and dad. I must say . . Santa must have really graded on a curve this year. . because Araleigh was spoiled rotten. Canden was too-- but he is nothing but smiling gem right now. Araleigh has been quite the pill lately. For some reason-- she has found her attitude and seems to NOT want to adjust it. We butt heads quite often. I do love her -- but I have realized that I am officially getting a taste of my own medicine... and I am not liking it (sorry mom for throwing those tantrums when i was younger!!) I CANNOT believe the sass that girl can dish . . . but we have been okay because we have a mediator to get us through those tough times. Not sure what I am going to do when Cory leaves for Oregon for a while. We might be spending more time at Grandmas so we don't end up yelling and spanking each other all the time. (FYI. . when I discipline for some reason she does it right back. REALLY annoying sometimes . . . but I guess its still cute).
as Eve we spent at the Arnolds-- doing the annual Seafood Dinner. It was amazing! Always is . . but this week had been sio stressful because of us moving into the new apartment this week. I cannot believe we got through it. We ended up sleeping at Grandma/Pa Hendricks because we weren't settled yet into the apartment. It was so much fun to wake up and have a Christmas with two kids. . . . and sharing it with my mom and dad. I must say . . Santa must have really graded on a curve this year. . because Araleigh was spoiled rotten. Canden was too-- but he is nothing but smiling gem right now. Araleigh has been quite the pill lately. For some reason-- she has found her attitude and seems to NOT want to adjust it. We butt heads quite often. I do love her -- but I have realized that I am officially getting a taste of my own medicine... and I am not liking it (sorry mom for throwing those tantrums when i was younger!!) I CANNOT believe the sass that girl can dish . . . but we have been okay because we have a mediator to get us through those tough times. Not sure what I am going to do when Cory leaves for Oregon for a while. We might be spending more time at Grandmas so we don't end up yelling and spanking each other all the time. (FYI. . when I discipline for some reason she does it right back. REALLY annoying sometimes . . . but I guess its still cute). 
As for this coming year . . . I cannot believe it has gone and past. Last year I was newly pregnant and was so excited. Seriously . . this was the FASTEST year of my life so far. EVEN with pregnancy. I CANNOT believe that Canden is ALMOST 7 months old. Thats one thing about having kids that is sad---- time flies by and before you know it your baby is 3 and you have another that is 7 months. Seems like yesterday we were living in our house in I.F. Araleigh was on a sleep schedule and it was just us three. I have realized now that time goes by so fast that you just have to quickly cherish the moments and then say bu-bye to them because they are gone in an instant. New Years Resolutions this year will not be happening because I feel disappointed when I NEVER do them. So I am just setting ONE goal . . . get this darn baby weight off. BUT I am not holding myself to it. I love me some cookies and some mom cooking so I am not force dieting to do it! So we will see what happens in the next year. Hope everyone had a great New Years and wish all a Happy 2010!!!
