SPT - I Resolve To Take More Self-Portraits

Lelly has some interesting SPT challenges in January. If you are looking for an interesting addition to your blogging routine...feel free to join in the fun.

This week, the challenge is "I Resolve to Take More Self-Portrait." Taking self-portraits is not my favorite thing. My first attempt is rarely the money shot and if I'm anywhere but home, taking picture after picture can turn into quite a spectacle.

So, most of the time, I don't do it. However, after looking through my picture folders to illustrate my new year's post, I realized that because I don't, I'm not present in most pictures.


So, I've decided enough whining about how anyone would hardly know I am part of this family due to the lack of pictures with me included. I'm going to stop worrying about vanity. I'm going to stop fretting about what others think (or at least sincerely try to). Truth is...I do exist. And this year - I'm going to prove it.

Seth and Sam had their first piano lesson yesterday and today was the first day of practicing.

Winter Break

The first day of snowmobiling. Cold, but fun.

Getting Henry back to the house after his snowmobile ride. The snow was too deep for him to walk through.

Same day. Crazy, huh? Seth is helping create a new sledding track.

What a trail blazer.

When Henry got too cold, he was able to go sit in the van and watch a movie. That's the perk of being able to snowmobile around the house instead of hitching them up to the truck and taking them to the mountains.

A final ride for Henry. Zonked out.

Grandpa got home from the temple and needed to plow the circle drive. Lucky Henry got to help him in the big John Deere.

More Snowmobiling

Taking down the tree. It was quite dead and left a trail of pine needles through the house.

Kelly, Jerry and family came for a quick visit which meant more sledding and more snowmobiling.

Seth braved driving a snowmobile by himself. He's in front and his cousin Derek right behind to make sure he's o.k.

Henry getting read to lose another pair of mittens. Notice these two don't even match.

Sam is definitely the daredevil sledder. He was never content to go face first on his bum. Each time down was a new and riskier position.

Seth looking pretty grown up to me. Sigh.

Sam. Again.

Matt was warm enough to go without his coat

Delanie sledding with a coat but without sleeves or gloves either. Crazy girl.

Derek after a run.

I was there too.

Sara in her pink glory.

Building a snowman.

Grandpa shoveling off the deck in his furry (and most assuredly warm) hat.

Almost done.

Just a cute picture of Henry

Matt took old sled with a steering wheel out for a run and hit his face pretty hard on the wheel. He lost a tooth (that was already loose) which made all the pain somehow o.k.

Henry admiring the snowman.

It's not a party at the in-laws if there isn't a pinata involved. I had forgotten how much fun new years eve was over there. Tamales and posole soup. Good times.

An action shot of Sammy taking a swing

Seth broke it open after some help from his cousins

Everyone in for the loot

Smiles....smiles....

But wait. Not Sammy. Just like after the last pinata...he was upset over something. This time, I don't think he wanted chocolate. I don't even know where he came from.

Sad Sam.

Henry ruined Matt's K'Nex truck so Jerry and Jay had to put it back together. I thought the picture of the two of them on the floor "playing" was funny.

Uncle Jay holding Sara. Such a cute girl!

Matt spent the night and he and Sammy built a fort (threw a blanket from the top bunk down) and Jay told them a silly story before bed.

Seth listening outside the fort.

Last night before Kelly's family went home. Grandma has the best toys and they make it out...every time.

Derek and Seth playing ping pong. I like how Seth's eye is on the ball.

...unless the ball comes too fast.

Jay wore his warm, green PJs. And you all thought he was being a good sport by putting them on. He loves them.

Kate started entertaining us with a musical performance.

Like all good performers, she accepted our praise with a humble bow.

Then Henry had to try it out.

He's got some work to do on the bow.

Then came the duet.

Then the trio.

Matt kept to the Legos during the fine arts performance. The boy is a Lego genius.

That's it! Of course, there were things I didn't get pictures of like going to the movies (Benjamin Button, Despereux) or playing on the Wii (DDR, NCAA 09 football, Mario Galaxy), but I think you get the gist. The break was nice and come Monday, we are all in for a rude jolt back to reality. Piano lessons start, basketball practice and scouts and twice a week speech therapy and Jay's surgery in a week and a half. It's going to get busy, real soon, but we are so glad for all the fun we've had with no school.

A Thoughtful Gift

I know whenever I hear the phrase, "It's the thought that counts," I assume the person speaking is grateful for whatever it was she received even though it wasn't exactly what she wanted (and I think men say it as well. I just used the she pronoun because I can).

However, in my case, it's proof that the joy does come from the thought...even when the gift is perfect.

My husband does not understand, at all, why someone, who I have never met personally, would send me a household cleaner from distant North Carolina.

He doesn't understand that every time I reach into the cupboard under the kitchen sink to get my Method Hollyberry spray that I feel my spirits lift a bit because Lelly in blogland, Elie on Facebook and Elinor by birth sent me my favorite smelling cleaner that is only available at Christmas time from a store that now requires travel to get to.

He doesn't understand that Lelly/Elie/Elinor knew all of these details...even though we have never "officially" met.

Thank you, Lelly.

It's already half gone, but I still haven't taken off the festive ribbon.

By the way, for those who were too creeped out at the thought of having your counter tops smell like Jay, know that now, the smell makes me think of Lelly which is much less complicated. Although, you might have to wait until next year to try it.