I made a drastic change in my life

As of yesterday, I part my hair down the middle! I know, right? that's huge! (i feel like i need to add a just kidding here just to make sure my sarcasm didn't come across in the written word) About the picture. there's nothing like your kids to knock you down. When Ellie saw this pictures, she couldn't stop laughing. She thinks my face is so hilarious and that my eyebrows are too strait and my mouth looks like I'm mad. I thought it was pretty awesome that it was a serious picture and I didn't hate how i looked in it. She thought I should put the picture below on the blog:) you can totally see how my nostrils are different sizes and my teeth are off center. Also I have like 4 chins. Tess took the picture, by the way.

I was looking through some pictures and realized I've had pretty much the same hair for the last 6 years. the length has changed and the color a tiny bit, but the swoop bangs have been a constant. I think my forehead may be too long (and too wrinkled) for the center part, but I'm trying it out for a while anyway. I'm not ready for a drastic color change ( I like boring brunette) and I'm not ready to chop it again (give me a year). So this was the best I can do. Grow my bangs out and change the part. I know. I'm CRAZY!

We FINALLY did it

TESS IS POTTY TRAINED!!!!
We tried one day last August, but she hated it. She wouldn't relax so she could go while on the potty, but then would have an accident 1 minute after getting off. We tried all day with no luck. The next morning, when I told her we were going to try again, she cried because she didn't want to make Cinderella, Jesus or me sad (in that order) when she had an accident. so I decided to wait for a bit to try again. A"bit" turned into a long time. I kept making excuses with up coming trips, moves, holidays and visitors. Finally, Saturday, I decided, no more excuses; there is never going to be a convenient time; just to do it! and she Did It! I'm so glad not to have buy diapers any more. it think its so crazy I'm past that stage of my life.

Our Winter Harvest

My eigth grade self* would have loved this place. Actually, my 31 year old self loves this place. Its so fun having orange trees and a lemon tree in my very own yard. Not to mention, the streets in my neighborhood are lined with orange trees. YUM!

*For those of you who read this and didn't know me in eight grade- my diet at that time in my life was as follows: Breakast- cereal, lunch- an orange, on the way to dance snack- an orange, dinner- an orange and maybe a little normal dinner. Im suprised I didn't turn orange.

4 Generations of Romans Men

We had 4 generations of Romans at our house this weekend. It was pretty awesome.

Jordan Levi Romans, C.O. Romans, Greg Lee Romans and Maddox Alexander Romans

Ellie the Spelling Bee Champ

This week Ellie was in her school spelling bee. Before Christmas break, she won her class spelling bee, qualifying her for the school contest. 4th through 6th graders compete in front of the school. Ellie was so nervous. Lately, she has been having a problem with making up very pessimistic "what if's". Before this event she asked soooo many times, "what if I get out on my first word and what if everybody laughs at me?" Anyway, during the Bee, she was so darling and poised and polite. We were so proud of her. It came down to Ellie and a 5th grade boy. He misspelled the word concomitant. Ellie had to spell it right and then spell another word correctly. Her winning word was zigzaggedness. When they read her final word, she smiled a bit before she started to spell it. We had studied that word. And she knew it. Z-I-G-Z-A-G-G-E-D-N-E-S-S... silence...no ding from the judges (which means a word was spelled wrong)... and the crowed erupted in cheers. I was the loudest... and I started to cry.

this is Ellie, the principal Mrs. Marshall and her teachr Mr. Dominguez.

This is my favorite picture. After she realized she won, she immediately ran from the stage to the back row to give me a hug. I loved it!

Now she's on the the district BEE.

More New Christmas Traditions

#6 Carriage rides and Crazy rides at the Santan Mall: Our family went to a mall to buy our last few Christmas presents and to ride on a free carriage (thanks to my friend Lindsay for telling me about it) While we were there Ellie and I did this crazy ride. It twisted and turned in all directions. I can tell Im getting old because I didn't think it was as fun to be dizzy as I used to; Ellie loved it and wanted to do it again. Next year the tradition may change to her riding it alone.

#7 Jingle Bell Run and Ride: my new favorite tradition. we decide to take advantage of the beautiful weather and do something outside. We plan to have this be an annual event. Maybe other families will join us in the future. First thing in the morning on Christmas Eve day, we went for a run around the park (a little less than a mile) ending back at our house. we then grabbed our bikes and went for a bike ride. I plan for it to get bigger, longer and more competitive as the kids get older. this picture is of the kids stretching before the big event. Tess ran for part, but spent most of the time on Jordan's shoulders while he ran and then I pulled her in the bike trailer.

#8 Christmas Eve with Friends: We have some new, very kind friends, the Cox family, who invited us to spend Christmas Eve with them. I didn't take any pictures (thats an old Christmas tradition of mine) but this is of the kids doing a little gift exchange. We also had dinner, fireworks and our traditional hot chocolate stirred with a candy cane (it magic and helps the kids go to sleep)this is the kids watching the fireworks. outside, at night , in December without shoes on!

Christmas Eve presents to each other

this one isn't a new tradition. We always make a HUGE mess Christmas morning. It looks like they got more gifts than they actually did. Santa brings them 3 presents to represent the 3 wise men and Jordan and I give them one. This year their favorite presents were Ellie: her toms shoes and the craft kit. Reagan: pogo stick and a tumbling mat. Maddox: legos and ipod touch Tess: Kitchen and princess barbies #9 Walking Down a new set of Stairs to see if Santa came: New house new stairs. We don't let the kids see if Santa came until we have checked it out, turned the lights on and have the cameras ready. Its a little tricky in this house because all the kid's rooms are up stairs and we are on the main floor. They don't have cell phones, but they can text from their ipod touches, so, I had them text me when they woke up. Technology is crazy.

#10 Non- Snowy Christmas cards-These are the pictures I sent out in our Christmas Cards this year. We went to a tennis park down the street from our house. All around the park are rows of orange trees. I LOVE how they look. I think seeing these trees will be to Mesa like the Mountains are to Salt lake for me. I never get sick of looking at them.