It's About Time!

Here is my official Christmas/New Year's post.

It's about time, right?

Let's get started.

One of the many perks of being a teacher

is having 2 whole weeks off work to spend with my family during Christmas.

Prior to the big day,

most of our time was spent buying last minute gifts, sleeping late,

doing a craft or two

and hanging out.

My kind of winter break.

Ryan and I didn't have our boys for Christmas Eve this year,

so we spent the evening with Carol at one of our all time favorite places to eat with Ed and Carol.

Definitely a great time but would been perfect if Ed could have been with us.

Ryan and I got up the next morning and opened presents together in front of the fire.

Don't gag, but it was really romantic

and helped with the sting of our children not being with us.

Next, we picked up my boys and Carol

and drove out to my parents to celebrate Christmas with my whole family.

There are always tons of gifts!

And my mother always has their house decked beyond greatness.

She is so incredibly talented.

The cousins always have such a great time together!

Can you tell my boys love having their picture taken?

It gets a little crazy when the kids start opening up their presents.

I managed to sneak a quick pic with my hubby.

Now, getting one with the whole family is another story

because I don't think they stayed still longer than 5 seconds.

Melts my heart watching Ryan with our nieces.

They love Uncle Ryan. =)

Next on the list was Christmas at home with my boys.

Carter is the only one left, for the most part, that still believes, so watching him is still so much fun.

He was so excited about getting a fishtank for his betta he named, Eddie.

So excited!

Carter and his Razorback pillow pet.

That thing was a beating to wrap.

Preston asked for a PS3 and a Kindle Fire this year.

His father and I split the list, so he could have both.

He's already reading Hunger Games on the Kindle.

Makes a mama proud.

Yes, Austin was present on Christmas day but isn't much on letting me take his picture these days.

Teenagers.

On to the day after Christmas.

Trysten arrives, and we celebrate with our whole little crew together.

It's finally T's turn!

 Later that evening,

we went over to Carol's to hang out and let the boys open their gifts

from Grandma, and we can't forget

The Soladay Family Scavenger Hunt.

Ryan and I helped Carol put it together this year.

It wasn't the same without Pop...

The boys read their clues

 And searched high and low, until they found the surprise.

A 22 inch touch screen computer!

I think I'm enjoying it as much as they are!

Thanks, Grandma!

 We love you!

Last, but certainly not least, New Year's Eve!

My parents graciously hosted a grand kids sleepover on New Year's Eve!!!

The kids were ecstatic and can't wait to do it again next year!

 The grandkids brought their stuff:

My mother, again, had the house ready to go!

The snack bar:

Some games:

(Not pictured....the countless number of Nerf guns and bullets)

The table:

(Complete with blowers which my parents let the kids blow, scream and go wild with at midnight!)

They had an absolute blast,

as did Ryan and I on our kid-free New Year's Eve.

We arrived at my parents around 1:00 PM the next day

to find a house full of crazy kids and 2 VERY tired grandparents!

Everyone came together for lunch, complete with black eyed peas....of course!

Trysten with my neices.

Makes me smile.

 Alexis loves my grandmother's cane.

Go figure.

She scouts it out every time.

My brother made some bloody marys

Great way to start the year!

Thanks for a wonderful New Year's, Mimi and Grandaddy!

We love you!!!!

To round out the Christmas break,

Ryan made steamed lobster and grilled some steaks

for the whole fam the night before the boys went back to school.

Yum.

Now, that's what I call 2 weeks of fun.

Glad it only took me a month to put this post together.

Have a great, my friends!!

A Simple Resolution for 2012

Hello, friends!

I haven't even done our Christmas or New Year post

because I haven't downloaded the pics yet.

I vow to do that this weekend.

As for now,

I'm documenting my resolution for 2012.

It's always nice to make a fresh start and fix what's broken or needs a tune up.

*My personal resolution for this year is pretty simple.

I am permanently removing myself from all drama and negativity around me.

There is little of it in my life...on purpose, but what there is, I am done with.

Let's face it, life's too short to dwell on what we can't control.

I've been working on this for awhile,

but I've finally realized I'm wasting my time.

It feels like a huge burden lifted off my shoulders,
and I can't believe it took me so long to get here.

There is too much good in my life.

Now.....on to enjoy that good stuff. =)

Have a wonderful rest of your week!

Together...2011

It's Official!

I took the Art EC-12 exam last Friday,

and I received the results this afternoon.

It's official, friends!

I am a certified art teacher!!!

I am so excited!

How many people are lucky enough to find their absolute dream job?

I feel very blessed in so many ways.

It's been a rough year, friends, and things are finally looking up for the Soladay family.

Here's to more good news to come!

Hello Out There...

Hello, friends!

I have not logged onto our blog since November.

Lots going on.

This is such a crazy, busy time of year.

We have had something holiday related to attend every weekend.

Ryan and I have been to 3 Christmas parties already and have another one on Saturday night.

In addition, the kids have had family events at school and several end-of-the-year projects to work on.

On top of all that, we've been studying with The Teenager every night for his semester exams

which take place next Monday, Wednesday and Friday before the Christmas break,

while I, myself, am studying for the Art EC-12 test.

Busy.

* Last Sunday was the annual neighborhood cookie exchange.
This year I made a little something I found on Pinterest.
Oreos, white chocolate and sprinkles
Easy.
Even though the party was only for the moms,
it didn't stop our sweet little guys from helping make the cookies.

Yum.

They were a huge hit.

One of my students told me he brought one for his lunch on Monday since his mother was at the party too.

What a great group of women.

So glad we moved here.

*I decorated for Christmas right after Thanksgiving as usual

but haven't even felt like posting any pics.

It's a weird holiday season this year.

Our first without Ed.

There is definitely a big hole in our hearts.

It actually, literally hurts thinking about it.

The kids are feeling it too.

They asked recently to watch the video I put together for Ed's funeral

but only made it through a few pictures.

He had quite an impact on our little boys.

It still doesn't seem real.

Ryan and I sadly don't have our boys on Christmas Eve this year,

so we are going to dinner with Carol that night

to celebrate the memory of Ed at one of our favorite places we used to all go together.

So.....here's what I came up with this Christmas.

Not a lot changed from last year except for the table in the dining room.

I can't wait to recover these chairs.

I love the fabric, but I want to lighten them up, and make them a little less color specific.

This pillow is from our trip to New York last year

where we visited the Mackenzie Child's factory with Ed and Carol.

{A close up of the Christmas banner I made}

I love the way red and black look together.

On to the front porch.

It wouldn't be Christmas without our stocking.

And my favorite signs everywhere

{A collection of old and new}

Some new Santas, some from Ryan's bachelor days and some from his childhood

The Santa from my precious mother and the reindeer Ed made when Ryan was little.

The monkey I bought last year at Frisco Mercantile.

Still love that place.

The mantle looking the same as last year.

This pillow is one of my favorites for many reasons!

The Christmas rug Carol bought me for my birthday last year.

I was in New York with her on that day, and despite the horrific blizzard going on,

she was determined to take me out for some retail therapy.

*And finally, a few of my current favorite finds from "that" website.

How true is this:

I'm totally copying this for Carter's Valentine cards this year.

How cute are these!

I want this mug.

She was my very favorite author I read during college in my literature classes.

Brothers are awesome. 

I want it all:

And last but not least,

for your pure enjoyment:

Have a great day, friends!!