A Crowd for "Christmas"

With crazy work schedules across the board the Tobler family decided to defer the "Christmas" gathering till after New Years. We headed down south to Florida and stayed with Jakob's eldest brother Chad and his darling family. We had such a wonderful time filled with precious memories.

I must say that I simply adore this picture of Violet! It just shouts Anne Geddes to me. Simply darling!

Is there anything so simple, unique and stunning as a snowflake? I think not. Snowflakes fascinate me, not the ones made out of paper, but the frosted one-of-a-kind fluffy snowflakes that cascade down outside. Each one unique from the others. This little girl has energy and even though it didn't feel like winter outside it was nice to create some "Mommy, Daddy & Baby" snowflakes during quiet time.

Charlie is the newest member of Dad Toblers band! Watch out America, Charlie Tobler is soon to be the new Jason Mraz (or whom ever you listen too).

This little princess also doesn't like to have her hair done... unless you trick her that is. Aunt Amy and Uncle Jeff got her a princess crown and earrings to match her princess shoes, excellent opportunity to pretty up her hair. After she paraded around showing everybody how adorable she is, grandma caught her standing on the changing table looking at herself in the mirror. So precious!

Let me start off by saying I love the beach! The ocean freaks me out but there's nothing more relaxing than hearing the ocean waves ripple and roll up the beach.

How can that get any better you wonder? Toss in people you love, laughter, a camera, and a couple of kites you'll have yourself a masterpiece.

Exhibit A: Love, Laughter and camera with a hint of craziness.

Jakob's and my kite skills are a little rusty lousy. After stealing Dad Tobler's already flying kite I promptly crashed it into the ocean. The definition of skills: n. Proficiency, facility, or dexterity that is acquired or developed through training or experience. I seriously lacked the experience. How hard could it be?!

What a handsome fellow! We just love Charlie! He's such a good helper, gentle, honest and cute too!

Baby Lucia, the lone baby on the beach. Yes, we know she's adorable!

Exhibit B: A Family with a Firm Foundation

The one morning that I "worked out." I've decided that working out is by far going to be the hardest thing for me to start doing! The thought of physical exertion is simply exhausting to even think about let alone get done! I simply NEED a work out partner and no you're partner in life does not count (well mine at least.) Janet would be a perfect work out partner... now all I need to do is move to Boston. No big deal... right?

Chad and Janet took us on a kayak trip with the full potential of danger. Allow me to explain my fear of the ocean: Big animals + little me + dark water = fear. A river chalk full of alligators, manatees and little fish ranks high on my list of scary things. But as Jakob's sister-in-law Amy says "sometimes you've got to put on your big girl panties," so onto the river at dusk we went. I had mixed emotions but it was loads of fun (even though Jakob and I fought about steering the boat the whole time)!! In the end we saw a ton of fish and a mighty large turtle (no alligators *phew*). As cool as it would have been to see some "wild life" I'm almost certain I would have had a heart attack!

We had such a wonderful time bonding with our nieces and nephew. We love them dearly! Thank you so much to Chad and Janet for welcoming us into you're home! Getting together with the Tobler Clan is always an adventure filled with joy and laughter! We are anxiously awaiting the next get together. We Love You All!! Thank you to all who have made our holidays special!

Imagine

One day for no reason at all Jakob sat down at his horribly ugly but fully functional desk and started drawing. Boy, my man (sorry Stefani I couldn't resist) can paint!

Of the three he's done this one is his favorite. He's getting all fired up for his website Studio Stew which he's still creating. I'm sure once we find a place to make copies for a good price he'll be up and running!

We have yet to name her but I think she's stunning. I can't wait to see what his next one will be! He's almost got Robert Best's style down so he'll be creating his own soon enough. I've already found pictures of gowns I want him to create. It'll be really hard to sell the originals if we ever get to that point. I want to keep them all!

Walking In A Winter Wonderland

No Kidding! I'm so thrilled I can't even explain! This is what I woke up to this morning...(well after Stu called to tell me to look out our window.) For a second I almost thought I was back home in Canada! I've been rather homesick lately and this was just perfect taste of home I needed. I was hoping for a white Christmas but hey, I'll take what I can get but the best part is... it's still not -40F. Beautiful.

New Years Resolution

I believe that an unwritten goal is nothing more than a dream, so for the first time in my life, I'm going to write down my resolutions. Plus then I have you, my readers, to hold me accountable. I'm not going to write down anything crazy like work out everyday because I know that just simply will not happen! A goal should be realistic and achievable. With that in mind here are my top 10 goals for 2011!

1. Nothing less than a B in my school work. This is totally realistic! I have officially registered for the spring term at our community college. I'm going to be studying business, yes I realize that is not dental hygiene. As for an explanation... I'll simply say business will be the better choice. :)
2. To work out 3 times a week. Working out is really hard for me. I simply have no motivation other than a heart that feels as though it's going to explode after climbing the stairs. I want to be healthy...
3. Which brings me to my next resolution. Not eat as much junk food ie. candy and soda. Unfortunately I'm a sucker for both!!! I'm not exactly sure how to measure this one?? Perhaps allow myself to indulge once a month? I think this will be more of a mental transition.. "Just say no to the candy jar!"
4. Keep a clean and organized house! This one is all about forming habits. Putting dishes in the dishwasher, putting clothes away at the end of the day, folding the laundry right after it's finished. I'm almost positive this will be the hardest one by far!!!
5. Magnify my calling. Being a primary chorister is hard (not as hard as Nursury leader but still) being a fun-choister-who-has -pictures-all-together-with-fun games-included is even harder. My goal not to simply be there with the little ones singing along but to teach, lead and feel the spirit. No big deal right?
6. Enjoy the small and simple things. Too often I get caught up in life's hustle and bustle that I don't take time out to enjoy life's little moments with my husband.
7. Scrapbook my wedding. I love card making but scrapbooking is really hard for me to do. I always worry that it won't be good enough or it'll be out of style in 10 years. This year my goal is to fall in love with scrapbooking!
8. Watch where I spend my money. Yes I am thrifty, but $1 here and $10 there adds up even if it is a steal of a deal. My goal is to budget and learn how to do the finances. Let's be serious the first time I wrote a check was 7 months ago! I'm pathetic!
9. Learn to cook. Having the schedule that Jakob and I do makes it really hard to have "family dinner". As most know I don't really like to cook. Baking I love but cooking not so much. This year I'd like to cook and have one "family dinner" a week. This one is going to be hard but I'll try my best!!
10. Sew 5 dresses this year. This will be fun!!

There you have it. my top 10 for 2011. I can't believe 2011 is here already!! This year has simply FLOWN by! I'm excited for 2011 however. As it's been said before "What an exciting year to be a Tobler!" Happy New Year to all! May it be filled with sunny days, precious moments and wild adventures!

Rocking Around the Tobler Tree

They say that a picture says 1,000 words so I'll let them do the speaking. In summation, we had a lot of fun!

P.s. I love this picture of Mom and Dad!

A little background. Mom Tobler and I found this sleigh back in September for $5. My mother is in love with Christmas so I thought I would buy this sleigh for her. I asked the gentleman if it came apart and he said oh sure! No it doesn't come apart but after dismantling it as best he could I felt so guilty I bought it anyways. There was no way my mother would be able to take it back to Canada. So on Christmas Eve, Mom, Dad and I ran over to the next door neighbors who had a reindeer and hooked up the sleigh. Hehe. We're so sneaky!

Christmas morning waiting for Clark and Rachel to get here! I was just a little bit excited!

Every year Jakob and I write a letter to each other. This years letter from Jakob was extra special. A picture is worth a thousand words!

Mom Toblers turtle. I'll let her tell you what she decided to name him. :)

Jakob got Father a name plate. On the front it said his name and on the back it said: "I'm Kind Of A Big Deal!"

We had so much fun! We dearly missed the rest of the Tobler family but we're anxiously awaiting the reunion in Florida! Merry Christmas to all!!

Sig

I'd like you to meet the newest addition to our Tobler family. Even though we've had Sig since the 31st of August, we had to keep him a secret until after Christmas seeing has how Sig's brother was Mom Tobler's Christmas present. See I can keep a secret! Jakob named him after his gun, it's growing on me, at least it's better than Michelangelo!

They're only 2 inches now but after some time they'll grow to be about the size of an apple box. Yikes!! I sure do love my little reptile child!!

Merry Christmas

As per tradition here is our yearly Santa Photo. Doesn't Santa look wonderful?! This is a tradition my family has done for the past 16 years and it is my favorite. It is so fun to look back year after year to see how much everyone has changed. And the best part about this year? There was NO LINE! I was so happy! Here is our Blog Christmas Card with a recap of our year.

2010 - Lion King - Several Concerts - Phase one of Immigration Complete - Attend General Conference Live for the First Time - Never Ending List of Projects and Crafts - First Anniversary in Banff - Jakob on Dean's List - One More Year Till Jakob Graduates - Still Loving Vegas - Moments with Friends We'll Cherish Forever - Eternally Blessed

We hope that this season is filled with joy, love and happiness for you and your family. May the true meaning of Christmas stay near to your heart. Merry Christmas!

'Tis the Season

As most know I tend to be on the craftier side of things and currently I'm craving a creativity adventure that involves, paint, glue guns, fabric and one massive mess.

Things such as these Christmas Trees. They can be found over at The Exchange. I simply adore them and the endless possibilities that they can be created!

Doesn't this look stunning?! And it is SUPER simple! This tutorial can be found at Stories of A2Z. Pottery Barn look without the PB price. Plus who doesn't love making something gorgeous with their own two hands?

I don't know about you but I love pillows!! I have a little list of all of the decoration pillows I want to make when we have some room to store them. (I really should just make them with a zipper so I can switch them out but that's another project WAY down on my list!) Toddle over to Tatertots and Jello to find this super cute pillow and MUCH more!My favorite (Well the trees are a close second) This little snow man! I LOVE HIM!! So rustic! Crafty Chic Mommy shows you how simple this is to make. I think I want to make a little family.

The only problem?! I have no place to display such a creation and even worse? No place to store it once it comes time to take it all down! Which makes my heart weep with sadness. Plus with the holidays right around the corner (9 days can you believe it?) Who has the time with the shopping (mine was finished back in September woot woot) wrapping, festivities, work and family gatherings? Not me I can tell you that much. It makes me sad to think that Christmas is almost here and gone when I don't feel as though I have soaked up all of the holiday goodness yet. Never-the-less Jakob and I are about the wait in the forever long Santa line to take our yearly photo. Perhaps this will make the season a little more real to me (who'd a thunk being an elf every day wouldn't?) Honestly I think it's the lack of snow ;) Merry Christmas everyone! Happy Crafting.

All of these Ideas and many more can be found at U-Create