That Week Sure Did Fly By.....

Boy, once the kids get back in the swing of school, it all just flies by. Kevin started basketball this week, game is tomorrow morning. I had to buy him high tops and we left with size 8 1/2. Good God. He's 11. Weird part is his twin is 6 inches shorter than he is. They are quite the pair. :)

Biggest news of the week, Simon's neurologist called to tell me that his MRI came back clear.  WHEW... But that he finds his diagnosis of mild cp odd since he can't find it in his brain. So we're in a monitoring phase along with continuing his physical therapy. I can do that, no problem. The doctor did say that we may either see more difficulties with spatial abilities as he gets older or that epilepsy could appear. Well, that's no sweat off my nose (is that a real saying?), I have epilepsy myself, so we aren't in uncharted territory at all. Most importantly, my sweet, sweet Simon seems to be ok. And if something appears later, we will deal with whatever he has. I believe more and more each day that this is the home God intended for this boy from the beginning. :)

Drama news... Olivia came home from school yesterday freaking out because some boy told her that another boy said she was "dating" him. I put quotes on dating because these are 5th graders and it involves saying you're dating and then seeing each other at school. They rarely even talk on the phone. Anyway, then she said when she went to pack up for the day, this lovebird put an envelope in her cubby with a necklace in it. That boy is claiming his woman, isn't he?! She is mortified, she has no interest in any of this and she just wants him to leave her alone. That's my girl! :) Today she didn't say a word to him, but I'm sure there is more to come...

Well, tonight is game night at the Ryann's, so I must end this before I get yelled at. :) Have a great weekend!!

Happy New Year, What's On The Horizon???

Wow, 2011 went by quick... Here I am, overfed and ready to dig into 2012. Of course that means, diet and work outs resume, that goes without saying. And cheating on said diet, keeps you sane you know.... I did gain more than I expected over Christmas, I am kind of bummed about that. You just can run away from the too tight jeans, no escape. Last night we had a buffet style late dinner after church, little ones went to bed around 8, and the big kids, Billy and I waited for midnight with Ryan Seacrest, like so many others... I must say, Ryan looked a bit too fresh faced for my taste, lay off the Botox, men look better with a few lines. He's still cute to me, even hobbit-sized...

To catch up on everything we've been busy with this week, I'll say that in pictures. We went downtown to have dinner and see the lights on the Riverwalk. Billy and I were so disappointed in the new LEDs that our charming mayor insisted we needed. Hundreds of thousands of dollars later and it's crap. No lights hanging from the trees, the lights have a blue hue instead of the warm glow before.

Lights before:

Lights now:

It just isn't the same.... We did enjoy the company, and of course, ice cream at Mr. Ice Cream...



On New Year's Eve we ate a lot and hung out until it was Champagne/Sparkling Cider time...

And this morning as I was taking down Christmas, Billy took the kids out back, armed them with silly string, poppers, and goodness knows what else....



I hope that you all have a healthy and happy 2012...I'm not sure what's in store for us, I hope for good health for my family, wonderful things for my kiddos, and continued success for Billy... On a side note, how fabulous is my new camera?!?! LOVE it!!!!

And Just Like That It's Over.....

The day after Christmas is such a downer for me. Nothing left to go do or see, just clean ups. At least the kids still have things to put together and play with, so I have yet to hear, "I'm bored" today. Lucky for me, Billy took the day off, so he took the big kids to an eye appointment and is now installing some whachamacallit somewhere for someone. :) Both Aaron and Olivia's eyes changed for the worse, total bummer....

My iphone is a disaster, that's what I get for letting all 5 kids play with it. It's "restoring" right now, says it will be done in 2 hours. Awesome.

I gained a lot of weight and it isn't even New Years, shame on me. I put on work out clothes this morning to get me in the mind set, needless to say, I have yet to sweat a drop. Bad me... I figure if I can be really good food wise for the week, then maybe I'll lose some and also get to enjoy New Years goodies without a ton of guilt.

Billy bought me an awesome new camera, way too much for my gift, but I am excited. Problem is that it's going to take me forever to learn it all. Good problem to have though, right?!

I better go feed the troops and get some laundry done. Just like I said, blink of an eye and it's over. Back to chores.... :)

Christmas Day At Our House.....

I was happily surprised to see 6:45 on the clock Christmas morning. We went right to work, Simon and Emi's first Christmas where they really understood what was going on....

And I'll even post one of me getting my new camera. God only knows how long it will take for me to learn. I hope your holiday was all that you hoped for.....

Our Family Christmas Eve In Pictures....

Not much to say, we had a lovely Christmas and Santa was very good to us... Probably better than we deserved.... :)

We managed a gingerbread house with few tears...

We went to our annual Christmas Eve dinner @ Magic Time Machine...

We ate too much....

We survived all of mom's picture moments... :)



Then we headed home to get into our coordinated pajamas and head for bed.....

Smiles Are My Favorite....

It couldn't be Christmastime at the Ryann's without watching "Elf" together... Last night we curled up with too much buttery popcorn and coke and spent great family time together... Well, 5 of us. I just don't think my 3 year olds would appreciate Buddy the elf just yet. :)

Today Billy plugged in a heater in the garage and I wrapped a bunch of presents. The only place to go really and quietly get it done. I actually missed my Connecticut basement at that moment. Why don't Texans put in basements?! What is wrong with us??? Then we hopped in the car, stopped for dinner and went to look at Christmas lights. I just looooovvvveeee Christmas.... Except for that "I need to pee" moment in the middle of a neighborhood away from public bathrooms. Sigh... It's always something. :)

Tomorrow we're trying something different, a late lunch out, then the 4pm children's mass. Billy wanted to change it up, and it may work out better for Santa if there is more time to build and wrap. Christmas morning is relaxed (as far as 5 kids on Christmas morning can be relaxed...) and then my dad is coming over for lunch. We'll probably head over to the nursing home soon after that to see my mom, then throw in the towel and call it a day.

I hope you all have a blessed and wonderful Christmas. I know that I am blessed to have this family and I plan on soaking it all up. In a blink of an eye, they'll be grown up and with a family of their own...

It's Time For the Christmas Parties....

Well, today is the big kids' last day of school. Basically, party all day for Olivia (still in elementary school) and home with a belly full of sugary goodness. The boys will come home slightly bitter since they had 9 week exams instead. :) I am thrilled that all my baking for teachers and helpers is done, and soon I will have 3 extra people home to entertain Simon and Emi who, quite honestly, are sick of me. :) I get it, I get sick of myself sometimes too...

Last Sunday, Olivia's school choir performed at the San Antonio Rampage game (hockey) and here she is on the Jumbotron... Needless to say, she was a very happy camper that her daddy caught this shot.

Olivia is far right.

The big kids went together to the game, complete with a glass pane shattering and all, while I had 2 baking assistants with me... And one of which is slightly OCD... I lost count with how many times we had to wash our hands because they were dirty... Sigh....

Tomorrow I plan on hauling all the kids around for gifts for their dad, grocery shopping for the week and then hopefully I am done with the crowds. Billy is taking a half day Thursday and then won't go back in until Tuesday. That will be so nice and we are really lucky that he is able to take that much time off. If I don't post until after Christmas, have a very merry one, enjoy your families, and eat lots... You can make that dreaded lose weight resolution next week!