A New Year...Another New Beginning

Well...2011 hasn't exactly started off like I expected it to. Rich, my BF of 9 months decided to end it on New Years...so I'm hoping that this year can only get better. No, it's not his fault...so don't start hating him right away...well, he did end it, but he just wasn't feeling it anymore. And no matter how much I want to, I just can't change how someone feels...so it's for the best, I guess...even if it does feel like my heart has broken in to a thousand pieces again.

So here I am again, brokenhearted at the start of a new year...and, again, I will make the commitment to myself...to find what truly makes me happy, to find what makes me tick...to find me. So here's to a year of self discovery...

So, besides that...the rest of my holidays was awesome...it always is when I get to spend time with my whole family. As always, it was chaotic, with everyone around, but it was fun:)
The kiddos had their Christmas concert...they were all so cute. Erika and I were lucky enough to get seats front and center and unfortunately, I don't have a proper video camera yet, so my iPhone just had to do.

Logan was a little shy, I don't know why because she sings and sings and sings at home...and if I do say so myself, she is pretty good.



And Tanner...well, let's just say that he LOVES the camera!!! Such a little ham:) He, of course is front and center...and did he ever put on a show. It didn't quite catch it all, but at the end of his performance he did a couple bows and thank yous.



And Payton was just as sweet as can be...she was sick with tonsillitis the whole week before the concert, and at first she wasn't going to go...but she cried and cried...and in the end, she got her way. She was so happy that she was able to go, and fortunately, she was able to make it through the entire show.



Then the whole family came up for the Christmas holiday. It was the first time that I've seen Darren and Auria since they left for their Asia trip, almost 8 months ago. And I finally got a picture of the 5 of us...which I will totally have to scrapbook, and then give to Darren, so he doesn't feel like the "Forgotten Brother" anymore ;)

We also got to spend some time with Grandma, which is always a delight:)

And I think that Kong Kong loved having all his grandkids and great grandkids there with him.

We had our traditional "Frank" Christmas breakfast of crepes, eggs benedict and deli meats and cheeses. We had a traditional Christmas dinner...with some crab legs thrown in and we also had our Mongolian Hot Pot...so much good food!! Hopefully it didn't all go to my thighs;)

The kiddos all got along surprisingly well...I barely heard any fighting between the 5 of them...which was a treat for Tanya and I.

The kiddos all got their favorite presents...and then a lot more!! Seriously, the amount of gifts under the tree is getting a little ridiculous...but the kids love it, and so do I!!

The siblings all get together and do a Secret Santa, which seriously cuts down on the cost for us...and it's always fun to find out what you get. This year I had Erika, and I decided to do a little theme for her. We were all in to the movie and book "Eat, Pray, Love" so I went off of that and got her a cookbook, a little jade Buddha statue and and little book of zen sayings and some lacy underwear...along with the movie. And Tanya was my Secret Santa...I ended up getting a pretty sweet sweater and a GC to Shutterfly...now I have NO excuses to not put a book together!! AND we all got some hand knitted Christmas socks from Mom :)


So, although, it ended up pretty crappy for me...I can't really complain...because I was able to spend the holidays surrounded by people who love and support me. And the way I figure it...it can only get better.

So here's to 2011...may it be filled with love and happiness for everyone!!