DOVE FAMILY

So for those of you who know me very well know that I LOVE to organize and organize some more. Pantry, closet, kitchen drawers, papers and more! Sometimes I over do it and start a project and realize that its going to take longer than expected, I get frustrated but in the end...it looks great!

One thing I do at the beginning of each year is organize my family binder. This binder includes everything from coupons, tax documents, charity donations throughout the year, benefits information, daycare information, important phone numbers and more. I currently have two separate binders- one for coupons/take out menus and another binder for important documents. For 2011, I decided to create one big binder to house everything so its easy for us to find everything! Also, if there are any emergencies, family members will know what to look for if they need important information! Here are some shots and the final creation! I just love doing these things!

The 2 binders that I currently use:

I used transfered everything into a 3 ring binder like this one. It has a clear pocket in the front and side. I also used color index tabs with pockets to store important information and clear protector sheets to store take out menus & coupons!

Color coded index tabs for the binder. I put benefits information, tax, prescription,
daycare and more in these tabs!

I created the binder spine & cover for the new binder! How cute is this?!

Clear Protector sheets that I used for take out menus & coupons

The final product!

Yes...another year has come and gone. Welcome 2011 and Happy New Year! Our New Year's Eve was very nice. We had spur of the moment celebration dinner at my mom's house- all the kids were crazy as usual, running around, playing with their new Christmas toys and eating chocolate. Later that evening once the kids were in bed, Dave & I watched a movie and enjoyed a quiet night at home to ring in the New Year.

I don't make resolutions, I never have, really. I don't come up with a promise to lose weight or spend less money. I don't join a gym in January and then stop going in May. I don't write out a list of things that I want to be or do for the year. The only things I do each New Year is promise myself to continue to be ME, continue to be the best mom & wife I can be and continue to do the best I can with any issues that may come up through out the year. Most importantly, I am thankful each year and everyday for what I have, what God has given me and for my family.

Christmas was extra special this year because Matthew & Julia really "believed" and everything was so magical to them. From all the holiday movies such as "Elf", "Polar Express" and "The Santa Clause" to the lights, decorations and the christmas songs they learned at daycare. They counted down til the night before Christmas, planned and set up the fireplace for Santa's arrival and told everyone....EVERYONE what they wanted for Christmas. This year, the big request was a Nintendo DSi for Matthew & a Cinderella for Julia.

Christmas Eve started off early with all of us making batches of cookies, brownies, rudolph's belly buttons and lemon bars. We then celaned up our sticky hands and put on our nice clothes for Children's Mass. Matthew & Julia loved that our church was decorated with trees, lights and of course the nativity scene. The part they loved the most was watching the children process into the church and listening to them sing songs. After church, we headed to my mom's house for our Christmas Eve dinner. All of the kids were WOUND up from all the cookies and the excitment of the arrival of Santa.

Christmas morning was so special....Matthew & Julia went downstairs to find presents under the tree, presents in their stocking & the cookies, brownies, sweet tea & applesauce (per Julia's request)were all eaten by Santa! They tore into their gifts and the biggest surprise was of Matthew receiving his Nintendo DSi. Julia was very excited about her gifts as well but she was more excited about unwrapping everything! Our Christmas day was spent with my family for brunch and Dave's mom, sister & brother in law for dinner.

Christmas 2010 was wonderful and no matter the holiday, event or day-- we always enjoy being with family. We continue to miss my dad & Dave's dad. Special days like these are always fun, but bitter sweet because we miss our dads, miss celebrating this holiday with them. I just know they continue to look down on us, laugh at all of our funny moments and are guardian angels to Matthew & Julia.




My favorite pircture! My baby brother Abe, Mommy,
big sister Maria & ME!


















Mom with ehr new wok! Yippee-- more pansit & egg rolls for us!



















Boys & their Toys-- Uncle Aaron with his new Nerf Gun!



















All of these presents! What should a Princess do with all of them?!


















Alex tearing open his gifts.....with Amaya & Matthew watching to see
what exciting toy it could possibly be!


















Bopsy Twins! Ovechikin Twins!

















Hey Uncle Abe-- check out my airplanes!


















Ovechikin Twins with Princess Julia
























Another set of Bopsy Twisn with their matching purses!!
Grammy & Lola with super cute purses!

A few weeks ago we visited Homestead Gardens in Davidsonville, MD. This place was dressed up in beautiful colors of the season, hundreds of trees deocrated, Department 56 villages and a cool train garden! The kids had so much fun looking around, touching different ornaments, and of course very much enjoyed the train garden. It was a great morning and we look forward to visiting each year!

Are ordered, stuffed in envelopes, with stamps & address labels! Cards have been sent out! Check this off the list... and now back to buying gifts and wrapping those presents!