Really? No Halloween pics!!

I can't believe I didn't post my Halloween cuties!  Carter and Tyler loved how their minions turned out and Mom did too!  They were probably the easiest costume that I have made!!

So cute!!  Big boys were Clark Kent and Peter Parker.  Easy peasy!!

Karate tourney

Tyler was in our club's karate tourney in November and he was awesome!  He had a lot of sparring and doing his kata.  This time, Mom got to compete too! It is really fun to see/compete with people from other clubs.  Can't wait til the May 2013 tournament!

Calgary Temple

Okay, so maybe not the best picture of some, but I love the back drop!!  We were able to take the boys to the Calgary Temple Open House back in October.  What a blessing!  It was a little hectic getting there - perhaps a little contention in the vehicle, but we made it!  The temple was so beautiful and the tour was perfect - especially since we were joined by some other Halladays!  Lindsey's aunt Jayne and cousin Laurel and her two boys met us there!  I know that temples are important here on earth and feel blessed to live so close to two of them!!

 

It was fun to share this special day with Jayne, Laurel and the boys (Jayne is taking the picture).

 

Happy Birthday Carter - yes it is very late!

Carter turned 11 in December!  While we are always super busy at this time of year, we try to make sure that the December birthday boys (all three of them), get their special day!  Carter and his bros, Dad and some friends went to see the highly anticipated movie, The Hobbit!  It was a hit!  Now, if only we could get back to the days when Christmas holidays fell on his birthday, Carter would be happy!!!

We love you Carter and are so blessed to have you in our family!

Happy Birthday Kayden!

Happy Birthday to my oldest son.  I can hardly believe that he is FIFTEEN years old.  I remember when he was little... wasn't that just yesterday??

He has grown and changed so much in the last year.  He is taller than everyone in the family, and as you can see, has grown into a handsome young man.  He is a good big brother (although sometimes, he loses his patience with a certain brother).  He had a pretty good year in grade 8 and has now moved on to high school!  YIKES!  He had a fabulous football season - he was in the newspaper several times, and has now moved on to Basketball.  Hooray for indoor sports!  As much as I love watching him play f-ball, it is nice to be in a warm gym!  We love Kayden so much and are so glad that he is part of our family!! 

Infamous fall family pictures

Well, there are some members of our family who do NOT look forward to this time of year - okay, more specifically, the fact that their mother makes them take pictures!!  Yes, formal, matching outfit, pose together type photos.  There was a lot of protesting at the beginning, but amazingly enough, it didn't take that long!  And this year, we even included mom and dad in some of them!  Hooray for us!  You won't be seeing those yet though - they are being saved for the Christmas card!!

Lately, I have been concentrating a lot more on fitness.  My goal really isn't to "be skinny," but more to be healthy, like my body AND feel good about myself.  It started at the beginning of August with regular dog walking, then in September I decided to step it up a notch.  I have been faithfully exercising (30 minutes of cardio and 15 minutes of strength training 6 days/week) for about 6 weeks now.  I am so happy that I can see results and I feel really good!!! (sometimes I feel old and creaky, but let's face it, I am not getting any younger).  I also started to watch what I eat.  I haven't cut out "treats" entirely, but only have one or two days where I eat a few yummy treats.  I still don't go overboard though, and I really think it is making a difference.  So, remember, make a goal.  Stick to it.  You will see results!!!