Sydney's Beauty Shop

So Sydney wanted to "make me beautiful" one day last week. I couldn't resist! I love when she wants to do sweet little girl things like that, plus I'm always making her sit still day after day to make her pretty, so I figured I owed her this much. She probably used every hair bow and clippie we have, but it was SO worth it! I mean, just look at how amazingly hot I look!!! Haha! It really was fun, though, to have an hour of just me and her, and I'm so glad I took the time, because I know someday all too soon, she's no longer going to want to do things like this anymore and that will make me a little (or a lot...) sad.

P.S. Can you see how cute HER hair was that day?

Woodman Reunion 2009

Great People...

Great Food...

Great Moves...

Great GOAT!!!

Well, I'm finally getting around to blogging about our big, fat family reunion last month. Jake and I went to the great state of Texas Dec. 28th through Jan. 2nd. It was so much fun to see everyone, play games, and eat, and eat, and eat... We were the last ones to arrive, and everyone else had been waiting and waiting to have pie and Madi's birthday cake, so they were very happy to see us!

Melanie and Peter let us ALL stay at their house, which so SO gracious. It was really crowded, but we all made it work. It would have been so nice if my parents' house had been completed in time, but no such luck...

We played lots of games. My favorite was Apples to Apples, mostly because I kicked everyone's trash!! We also went bowling, which I haven't done in a really long time, and what do you know--I still stink at it! It was really fun, but I think from now on, I'll stick to WII bowling!

We also went to the Longview Stake New Year's Eve dance, which I haven't been to since I was single...more than a few years ago... It was pretty lame when I was in high school, and it still is, big surprise, but it was fun to be there with a gazillion members of my family and just play and laugh and dance. We did the Cotton-eyed Joe, each got a dance (with a dip) from my dad, and plenty of line dancing. We left WAY before midnight, which was fine with me, and even better with Jake, since he was uber-tired.

Tim had the other 3 kids at home for those 5 1/2 days. He was awesome! He remembered to take them to get their swine flu booster shots (with NO reminder from me!!!) and even took down and boxed up all my Christmas decorations. I know it was a long week for him, but I so appreciate his help and making it possible for me to go bond with the fam!!

Chirstmas (better late than never...)

So I know I wrote all about making Christmas cookies with my girlie, but I didn't ever put up the pictures, so here are a few. I can sometimes be anal and bossy about how the cookies look and what type of sprinkles need to be used, but every now and then I remember to be the "fun mom" and I relax (I'm working on it, o.k.!). So Santa got some Christmas cookies AND some Valentine's Day cookies. It was so much fun to just have a little Mommy/Daughter time. I love that girl!See how happy she is to have full control of the sprinkles?!?

Here, you can see some of the fruits of our labors. Not that this is the place to brag, but dang, I make amazing sugar cookies! Those of you that have had the pleasure of tasting them know what I'm talking about! Too bad I ate so many...now I have to be more careful and watch the sweets for a while. :(

All my kiddos in their new Christmas Eve jammies waiting upstairs to start our Christmas eve movie, Home Alone. I just love jammie pictures!

One of the hit toys in their stockings: squishy worm-thingys that have flashing different colored lights that go off and on. They're pretty cool!

Sydney Christmas morning with one of many presents: a magnetic doll set--like paper dolls, but without the ripped paper the next day!

All Ryan wanted was a WII game called Mario and Sonic at the Winter Olympic Games. I hope it's as cool as he's been imagining!

Brandon also had video games on the mind. His request: Madden 2010 football.

Jake just wanted to finally be able to rip open some presents without getting in trouble. He was much better at opening Christmas gifts than he was at birthday gifts. Must be all that practice he got in the weeks leading up...let's just say that I had a lot of re-wrapping that took place.

The usual family Christmas morning picture. This year I was smart and put on some make-up first. :) It was a great Christmas. We love to always be in our own house and make our own memories. Tim's parents came over for a nice ham dinner around 1 pm and the kids loved showing off their stuff. They all have plenty to keep themselves busy now!