Bragging Rights

Jennifer McDaneld, RMA

That's right, World.  My sister is CERTIFIED!!!  And now is when I get on my soapbox and announce to everyone "how proud I am of her".

November 2011, Jen and I are hanging out on my basement couch.  She's talking about how she's getting tired of dealing with some of the people at her job.  I, being the BIG sister, grab the laptop and start searching job possibilities for her.  We discuss her various interests and the field becomes more narrow.  The idea of working in the medical field in some capacity seems to be clicking in her mind.  So I proceed to fill out interest forms at various places for her to get more information.  Fast forward to today.

She has completed the 15 month program for RMA (Registered Medial Assistant).  Which included an externship for the the last few months, and ended in them hiring her!  She recently found out that she not only passed the RMA exam, but did AWESOMELY!  This Saturday she will be getting the keys to her new "dream" loft apartment that will be closer to her work.

All I can say, "I am so proud of you.  For all of your hard work and dedication.  Each of your recent blessings is rightfully deserved.  I love you."

Winter Storm Q

Thank you, Storm Q!  Today became a "snow day" for everyone in the Arnett house.  The kids had no school, Jen's clinic was closed, Jake was post night call and Nick seems to ALWAYS be here.  :)

So we just HAD to get out in it!  Jake went for a run at 8:00 am, we went to the backyard for some fun.

 The view from our front door.

Yep, Jen is up to her knee in snow.  And it's still falling!!! 

Owen burying himself in snow. 

Face plant, in the softest snow EVER! 

Having fun! 

Not quite snowballs, but still cold. 

Nick is even eating the snow.  Possibly to get through it.

We came inside to warm up, bake cookies, start chili in the crockpot and drink hot chocolate.  Thank you, Storm Q!

Christmas Break 2011

Christmas break this year has been awesome!!! The weather was extraordinary. I wasn't able to post any blogs, because I was busy enjoying it all. But now that the break (and year) are almost over, I'll post a few pics to hit the highlights.

The snacks I made for our Christmas Play Group.

This year's photo with Santa.

Grandma and Papa Arnett brought presents!

Santa stuffed our stockings.

Allie getting her mani.

Allie getting her pedi.

My NEW running shoes.

Some of what I purged.

Showing Gramma Karen how to play.

Aunt Nikki and Uno MOO.

Enjoying the nice weather.

Thanksgiving Weekend 2011

This will be a packed post. We've done a lot this weekend. I'll start with Thursday (Thanksgiving Day).

We weren't celebrating it, all of our family was coming on Saturday to eat the BIG TURKEY meal. So the kids, Jake, Jen and myself went to the movies. We saw the BEST movie!!!

However, when we left the movie at 5ish we realized why people eat the big meals on this day. We were hungry and there wasn't any place OPEN!!!! So we settled for a frozen Totino's pizza and some mac n cheese. :)

Then on Friday, Jake and Owen went out to buy our first "fake" Christmas tree. Allie and I stayed home and started pulling the decorations out. When the boys brought home the tree, the kids and I began to assemble it. The funny thing was our tree came in 5 pieces, but the directions showed 4 pieces!!! It still looks amazing!!!

Tah-dah!

Helper #1

Helper #2

"Directions"

Allie then assembled the Nativity Scene.

A few hours later, I went to clean up the mess and found this.

The box the tree came in, or...

the new hangout!

The kids decorated their own tree downstairs.

What tree isn't complete with out action figures?

Saturday we had all of our family over to eat. I made a 23 pound turkey. YEAH! I said 23!!!! It came out perfectly.

The 3 generations of Arnetts, cutting the turkey.

Desserts!!!!

Just a few of the sides.

Valorie, Jen and myself

Dad, Jen and Mom

The "kid" bench.

After eating coma pose.

Victim #2.

Owen explaining "Angry Birds" to G.G.

It was a WONDERFUL weekend!

Family Photos

I have been so busy with life, that posting has taken a backseat. Nothing has been crazy or stressful. Just busy. But even though I've been busy, I have been thankful. I have several friends posting daily the things they are thankful for. I love reading these.

Last night I was busy (surprise) making our Christmas cards on line. YES! I already have my Christmas cards made and my mailing list done. (I know, it's not even Thanksgiving!) It was so much fun looking at all the photos we had taken this past fall (2 different sessions). I won't ruin the surprise of which ones I selected, but these were some of the ones that made me smile and THANKFUL! Enjoy.

My Rock

My Baby

My Boy

My Family

(I love the looks on the kids' faces!)

WOW! Where did the time go?

Boy, I am behind on the blog thing! I'll try my best to finish up October this post and then maybe start some REAL November posts tomorrow.

We got back from our trip to Kauai on October 30th. Owen didn't have school on October 31st, so we spent that morning carving pumpkins and decorating the house for our party.

The kids

Helping Daddy

The finished project

One of the carved pumpkins

A pumpkin that Papa George bought Owen.

(Angry Bird Pig)

The other carved pumpkin.

I was so busy having fun at our party, I didn't take too many pictures. I know other guests took pictures, but this is my blog so my pics will have to do.

My MAD Dragon Ninja and Kauai Boy

Angry Bird flying towards me.

My "out of character" costume

Sue Sylvester

Jen was the Bride of Frankenstein

Our friends the Bakers were our first guests to arrive.

The James are the family that moved across the street.

Natalie, Allie and Addie.

The Prechards from across the street.