Goodbye to 2011

I am glad to say goodbye to this year. This year has had a lot of ups and downs. Lots and lots of trying times. But also a lot of good times too. We got to go to Puerto Vallarta, NYC and Washington DC too. We are so lucky to be able to go to all those places, we made some wonderful memories :)

Our kids grew tons! Josh's braces have made a world of difference, his teeth are almost done, l am glad, he's done so well, not chewing gum or other bad foods. He is on meds still, but he's doing so well on them too. He's doing ok in school , he could be doing better though. Jake is growing so much too. He loves hunting and hanging out with his dad, and eating too. He's doing ok in school too, he loves going too school too. Alyssah is so big! She is in dance, girl scouts and in kindergarten too!! She's a busy girl! She love kindergarten and she loves doing any sort of writing. She try's hard and that's all we ask. She loves dancing so much! I'm glad she has fun with it and we love to go see her too.

So, I'm glad it's over though and here is to a great new year!! Hopefully 2012 will be a great year!

Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa Torno's

We went to Carol and Dennis's house for Christmas this year. The kids had a blast!

Alyssah picked out something for Grandma and Grandpa this year and she was so excited to give it to her!

Alyssah loved getting her soap from Grandma :)


Grandma made this for Alyssah

Jake holding his soap that he got! It is the little things!

My big kid!

Alyssah loved her headband that she got! She has been wearing it a lot too!

Overall Christmas with the Torno's was good! Taryn came to visit us, and we all enjoyed that too. I am glad to have family for the holidays.

Christmas 2011

We stayed here for Christmas morning. Santa came and the kids were anxious to open up there presents! I was excited to see them get what they thought they were going to get! ;)

Jake and all his lute!

Alyssah was all ready to open up her gifts! I am glad!

Josh with his stuff! I love his smile!

They were so happy with all of there gifts!

"Just what I have always wanted!"

I LOVE LOVE LOVE her face in this picture! Such a cute smiley girl!!

She got Kit for Christmas! I know she loves it!

Josh got a HUGE helicopter from Santa! He was excited!

Jake's was bigger than his last one, but not as big as Josh's, but that didn't matter to him! He was so excited anyways!

Alyssah and her 2 American Girl Dolls, Julie and Kit!

It was a great Christmas!

Ummmmm

I need some of this SIGH

Santa Came!!

Santa was here! The kids were so excited to see the presents under the tree!

Santa ate almost all his cookies, there were 5 of them, so I understand why he didn't finish the last one, I can't imagine how full he has to be by the end of his trip!
Jake wrote Santa a note, and he asked if rudolf was real, and he wanted a picture. Santa's reponse was,
Dear Josh, Jake and Alyssah,
Yes, Rudoph is real, and sorry no pictures. Be good, and thanks for the cookies and chololate milk. Santa
They were excited to see it! ;)

Checking out all there gifts!


Alyssah loved the gold glittery paper! She was so excited!

The Night Before Christmas

The night before Christmas, the kids were so excited! We got ready for Christmas Eve services.

I am so glad we went! (this underline stuff is annoying!!!) I love Christmas Eve services, it just reminds me how Jesus was born to save us. I am so glad He was!

My 3 kiddos ready for Church in there sunday best! They look so awesome!

Before we left they had to check out where Santa was in the world, they were so excited!

We let them open up one present, there christmas jammies! I love this pic! We ate pot roast for supper, then we opened up the present, then we made popcorn and then watched the Blind Side movie. It was a great night and I am so glad we had a great one!

Making Cookies

The kids were excited to help me make sugar cookies! They took extra care of them for Santa too. I am glad they are excited to help me :)

Frosting there cookies

I love Alyssah's face here! She looks so cute! And so excited for Christmas too!

Daddy and Alyssah

I LOVE THIS PICTURE!

She loves her daddy!

Red Belt Testing

My boys tested for there red belts on, December 17th. They were very nervous, there were a huge panel of judges, all black belts, and they were there to judge them, because this was the first group of kids who were going for there black belts. And they all got it!! There was a Master there, that is one of the highest you can get in TaeKwanDo.

There are a TON of pictures on here, I wanted to make this special, even though it wasn't my boys getting black belt yet, but to test infront of all those black belts, couldn't have been easy for them! So sit back, grab a pop, and enjoy!

Josh doing his form. He looks so stong here!

I love this picture of him, Mark did a great job!

Doing his weapons form

Jake doing his form too, he needed help halfway through, but he continued trying and he did great!

Working hard to compete it!

I love how he is thinking here, he has to work hard to remember his steps. There were 46 movements to remember, so I think for a 9 year old, he is doing great!

Time for sparing!

Check out that kick!!

Josh and Jake sparred each other, I love it when they can, they don't hold back then!

Going for the punch!

The whole group, waiting for the news, to see if they passed!

Jake getting his red belt recommended! I am so proud of him!

Master McKay, tying on his belt!

Josh getting his red belt!! Again, I am so proud of him!

Shaking Master McKay's hand!

The whole group! YAY!!

My boys with Master McKay

The red belt group, posing with Master McKay! I love this picture!

Josh and Jake with there instructors, Rollie and Vickie Frothinger