I keep checking my blog everyday hoping that there is something new posted here. But yet, nothing. So I guess I should do something about that.

We had a good Christmas, New Year & Brady's birthday. We started at my mother-in-law's on the 20th. Justin made her an adirondak loveseat for Christmas and it is really nice. The plan is for him to make one for my parents for their anniversary too. He wanted to make one for them for Xmas but ran out of time. Anyway, we just relaxed, ate and played games (Taboo & Bramble). Emma, Brady & Bowie got to spend some quality time together which is great. They don't get to see each other very often because of Emma's busy schedule. And did I mention that we ate? I did, a bunch.

Then on the 24th we had Christmas with Justin's dad, Granny & Pop, and the Heards. That was nice too. This year we had a new baby to celebrate with- Avery. He slept through the presents. Brady got some noisy guns from his Grandpa. He loves them. And we ate.

Then Santa came. Brady & Bowie both got bicycles. Brady was thrilled. Bowie's legs are a little short for his. After that we went to my parents. That is always fun and now that there are 5 kids running around it is kinda crazy. This year mom timed it perfectly. Presents, dinner, relaxing. It was very nice. Erin & Joe got a Wii for Xmas so that was one of the highlights. I didn't manage to play it but it seems like fun. Brady got a Leapster and Bowie got a baby 4 wheeler. And I believe that I ate from the moment I walked in the door until the moment I walked out.

New Year's Eve is Brady's birthday. He was born at 12:16 a.m. on 12/31/04. I think that he thinks that the fireworks and noisemakers are for him. We went to the park, because that is what Brady wanted to do. Very cold but we had fun. Then we had Mexican with Cristen and Avery. They came over and we did fireworks, opened presents and had birthday cake. We just hung around the house and drank champagne and watched the ball drop. On New Years Day we went to Justin's grandparents for dinner. I ate a bunch of black eyed peas and collard greens. I hate greens but I need some green in my bank account so I went for it. That night I made up a new New Years Day dish that was delish and guess what, it has greens & black eyed peas in it. So I doubled up on the greens- lets hope it makes a difference.

This past Sunday we went to Chuck E Cheese for Brady's birthday party. As usual it was fun and he had a great time. I think he was getting the "Too Much Christmas & Birthday" attitude by the end. Ripping through presents without even looking at them. However, at home he has played with each one and seems to really appreciate them. I guess he just gets a little rush ripping through the wrapping paper.

So now the holidays are over and we can get back to normal. Which hopefully means normal eating too. I gained 7 lbs over the month of December. Yikes! So I am back on track and hitting the gym. I exercised throught the month but not as much as usual and I really ate anything that I thought i might want.

I started school this week. So far so good. I had Algebra last night. Algebra is my Achilles heel. But I must conquer it. I think that if I can get a good/decent grade in there it will be a load off my shoulders. It all started back in high school, I just have not been able to do well in it. But this time is different. Before when I took it, in high school & college the 1st time, I did not know that there were harder things in life than Algebra. So maybe if I have to be older, maybe I get to be a little wiser too.

I will post pictures later. I have to compress them so that it doesn't take forever to upload.