it's been a BUSY December so far...

Hi friends... I've been wanting to update for the longest time but just have not had the chance with all the Christmas prep that has been going on in our home. I'm determined to get all my cards done, presents wrapped and family movies made before Christmas Eve... it's been busy but I'm progressing along well. I'm watching the Bing family memories video right now to make sure it copied on the DVD well... so far so good.

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I'm also a little bummed right now listening to the plow go down my street... it's snowing which is pretty but it is keeping me from watching the survivor finals with the girls. My friend Laura has invited us all to her place, and had her fiance mark help her clean all day and not many of us can go due to the weather. Mark offered to come get me but snow makes me nervous, especially when in a car, so I opted to stay in. So I made some baked mac and cheese and LOVED it!

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The rest of the post is a picture update of what we've been up to.

Brandon and I received a nice surprise Saturday morning, his grandparents in ontario sent us this beautiful holiday Christmas arrangement. I'd never had flowers delivered to me, so this was all so exciting... I love have real flowers in the apartment.

Friday I worked 1-7:30 and then walked a few buildings down with my buddy Jeff to go to the new Greek restaurant called Estia for a mini Roots Christmas Party with all of our old school Roots friends. We had a similar get together last year so we decided to keep the tradition going. The food was great and so was the company, we were there until almost 11pm just chatting and catching up. Jeff has been in England for the last year and a half so it was great to hear more of his stories... there were some crazy subway or tube stories. Jeff gave me a ride home which was appreciated since it was late and freezing... thanks friend! The picture is the gang from left to right it's Jeff, Me, Ben, Maria, Nicole and Melanie... we always had a blast working together.

On Friday December 11th we officially finished our last university course. We still have three months of practice teaching but we have no more assignments and group projects to do which is super exciting. We both found out this week that we both made the Dean's List... woo woo!! I was very proud of both of us for doing so well. We are excited to be finishing up school and starting practicum, if only we got paid! I went this week and visited my class, I have 2 new students, had one move, and another one moving this week. The kids didn't know I was coming so when they started walking into the classroom a few of the boys didn't notice me and then it took one little girl to say Mrs.Bing and they all swarmed me and I got over 20 hugs... there were so many kiddies around me that I was trying to hug, or pat heads to acknowledge everyone. I tell you, if you are having a bad day that would cheer anyone up. I'm excited to be back with my cute grade three class.

Our last class was parents as partners, the only class Brandon and I had together this year, this is Bran and all his secondary classmates.

This is me and my elementary friends in parents as partners- love these guys!

This is half of the elementary program, it was our last science class with our teacher Bev who has taught us for 2 years- she made us a cute memory video which she is mailing to us in the new year. She was very cute, you can see her in the beige sweater in the front row.

I was lucky to have the girls over for a little Christmas survivor night. I had treats and their presents for them. I started a few years ago giving them a Christmas ornament, they each have a specific color so it was exciting to give them their newest one. I also got to give my friend Kerry her birthday gift which I was super thrilled to do. Each year I give the girls the same gift but personalized to each of them. This year they all are getting a personalized DVD of all the memories we have made from elementary school until now. It was so much fun watching it with them and laughing at how horrible we looked back in junior high. They also surprised me with the coolest Christmas gift which is from Chapters and I have looked at it so much, it is a little library kit, it comes with the enveloped and cards that go in the back and a little date stamp, so if I lend out my books, I know who has them... so if anyone needs anything from my library I'm ready! Thanks girls!

Laura and her purple ornament

Natalie with her green ornament

Kerry with her blue ornament

This is the DVD case that I made for Kerry's movie

We've gotten a bit of snow this year before tonight... here is a picture of a snow storm from our apartment window, I love that we have trees that block our big window a bit!

On December first bran and I decorated out Christmas tree... we have a big one and a little one. I have them turned on as much as possible, I love having the light from the tree in our home.

Brandon and I as we decorated the tree don't mind my ugly hair

My guy hanging the first decoration on the tree... he is such a good sport with all my picture taking. I'm excited to spend another Christmas season with him.

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This week is going to be busy, I have a few things for Christmas to finish, I'm watching my nieces and nephews tomorrow night for Kathy and Jeff while they go to a movie and then the three big kids are sleeping over. I work Tuesday and then the holidays begin. It's going to be an exciting and fun holiday and I am so ready. If I don't post before the holidays I want to wish you all a VERY Merry Christmas!!

Double the FUN!!!! Twins in June!

This CRAZY family is growing by TWO...

...and we couldn't be more excited! As a family we've been trying to keep this secret for a few weeks and it's been killing us not to share the exciting news!!! Mike and Keah are expecting twins in early July although we feel they'll be making an appearance in June, and everyone is beyond thrilled. Mike and Keah are going to be wonderful parents and have been waiting for this time to come and we couldn't be happier for them. You can see the love and excitement in them and it is just so super! So check out Keah's blog, she knows that she has to keep us updated on how her little bump is growing... I love belly pictures! Congratulations Mike and Keah we are so thrilled to have more nieces and nephews to LOVE!!!!

LA Originals Knitted Baby Hat GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

LA Originals Knitted Baby Hat GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Hey Friends,

Checkout this super cute giveaway at a site that I love to check out. I don't have a little one yet who could wear this, but it's so cute that I'd put it away! So adorable!!

Hoping to post about our Christmas Tree soon- stay tuned!

Karen :)

This is me in math class...

Hey everyone... my face looks kinda fat in this picture but I couldn't get a better angle because I took this sitting in math class on my computer... although I look very happy don't let that deceive you, I'm sitting in math class- that says it all! Anyway I just wanted to write a quick post about two things, so read and leave a comment if you'd like- I'd like you too!!!

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The first is that last night I noticed that they'd increased my rent last night by $20 without telling us and I was mad... I was ready to lay the law down and be mean- which I don't really enjoy but I was ready to be tough. After three phone calls they finally called me back and all was sorted- they are crediting the money back to our account and then they won't be increasing our rent until next year this time... woohooo!!!! and I didn't even have to be mean!

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The other thing I wanted to write about was Tanya's blog giveaway.... I think it is the coolest idea ever and keep checking it to see if anyone else has joined the giving train... and no one has, just three of us so far, so if you have anything fun to add to it do it... everyone is guaranteed to get something... it's so neat and you can offer something, and then if you see something else you like you can offer something again... so cool! So check it out- PLEASE! Thanks Tanya for sharing such a super fun idea, and I hope if it isn't a go this time that we can try it again soon! Helene I am going to make your pack of cards soon!!!

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Hope you are all enjoying this icky rainy day... I should get back to focusing on measurement!

Happy December First...

Can you even believe that it is December first already... seriously where did 2009 go?? I should be working on a science project right now, since I may or may not have to work at 1pm today- darn on call shifts I HATE THEM! Anyway I felt that I had so much to update my blog with that I should get on it and start updating. This is the first event and it works out perfectly, because it was a very Christmas themed day!

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November 7, 2009 

Caverly and I hit up the Christmas Craft Show at the forum this Saturday which was amazing! It's only up the street from my parents home and I had NEVER been and I did not know what I was missing... it is like Christmas EXPLODED in there and I loved every minute of it. It was hard not to buy so much but we both behaved. I'm sure someday when we are both not living in apartments we'll gets loads of stuff at shows like this. Caverly had a friend with a booth there are she makes the cutest little pouches and bags, so we both bought these little pouches, I'm going to use mine for my cell phone and I really enjoy it. I also bought myself a Sweet Janes Candy Cane cupcake which was AMAZING! Cav was an amazing driver and found us a great parking spot in the CRAZY lot! Thanks Cav for telling me about it and inviting me along!

We thought we'd seen it all... nope 200 more! Whoa!

Me and my delicious cupcake...YUM!

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After the craft fair we picked up monica and headed over to Kathy's for some stampin' up fun. I plan to finally get those pictures posted on facebook for all my stampin' friends, Irene showed us some cool ideas and we made some beautiful cards. It was great to see everyone, eat yummy snacks, make some cards and buy some stamps- it's so dangerous! Thanks to kathy for having us all over and giving us a fun afternoon!

This is probably my favorite thing we made today.... super cute!

Miss G wanted to craft too... silly kid!

Some of my crafty friends paying close attention to Irene

Monica, Caverly and Miss G are on one side, Kathy is at the end and Lesley and Kristine are on the other side.

The four bigger nelsons on the stairs- love these kids!!

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Not too much is going on around here this week, last week was busier and I'll post those pictures soon enough. We're slowly finishing up school and I guess that means I should go work on my science. Our tree is up and we are LOVING our tree wallflowers, it throws you off to smell tree when you know your is fake...if I don't work it will be getting decorated today which I cannot wait to do, it's not the same when it's not decorated!!

Happy First of December, let the holiday season officially BEGIN!

Another Give away... we know too many thoughtful people!!

So we know too many sweet people and Kristi has posted another giveaway from my friend Becca who runs the Sweet Jane Bows website. Go check out both blogs there are loads of great things on both of them- and go enter the give away, maybe it'll be your lucky day!!

New Moon= Amazing!

New Moon was AMAZING.... Edward was his handsome, romantic, beautiful self.... but Jacob Black was Hot! Oh la la!!!! The entire theatre sighed when he took his shirt off for the first time... need I say more- just ask Lesley about his hotness!!!!! Having just read the book I felt they did an awesome job sticking to the book as much as they could, and overall the filming was just a million times better then twilight... don't get me wrong I still LOVE twilight... but this was just oh so good!!!! I know I'm rambling and using a lot of exclamation marks but I just can't help myself... it's 1:03 am and I just want to start reading book three... too bad I have school in the morning. Love Love Loved New Moon and can't wait to see it again... Sonja don't go without me- seriously friends if you need someone to go with I will be there!!!! Gotta go try to wipe this smile off my face and get some sleep... hope my dreams are filled with Jacob Black and Edward Cullen, fingers crossed... just don't tell Brandon...hahha!!! Night everyone.... see NEW MOON!!!!

Oh and please continue on to my last post- it's from when we were sitting in the theatre and it's fun too... I'd love to hear your New Moon thoughts too!!!

New Moon Excitement!!!!!!!

This is Laura and I sitting in the theatre RIGHT NOW waiting for NEW MOON to start... we came here at 7:15 and sat outside in a line up watching the first movie preparing for this one tonight... when we finally made it into the theatre we snapped this little beauty- you can't see it but Laura is wearing a Twilight T-shirt, I am so jealous!!!!!! We are SUPER excited and will write about it later... don't worry we won't spoil any thing.... ahhhhh I'm sooooooo excited- woohoo for internet in the movie theatre!!!! Good time and family outings!!!!!! I should get off this thing before I get myself in trouble... I am SUPER excited- can you tell????

Ahhhhhh.... NO MORE PAPER WRITING!!!!!

This is me sitting at my desk screaming like a crazy person... I am so DONE with writing papers... although the one I am writing right now is on a topic I have become very passionate about which is Prader-Willi Syndrome, I'm just so done with sitting in this chair and writing, writing, writing! My back and my butt hurt from sitting here almost all day... I've been wearing my glasses because my eyes are so tired of looking at this screen. I've written 8 pages single spaced and probably will end up writing another 5 maybe... oh the joy! What just takes the cake is as soon as this project finishes, it's on to another... less then a month left of classes though and that makes me happy! On a brighter note, my science class is going to the Discovery Center this Thursday to check out the exhibits and to go in their planetarium- so cool!!! I'm excited for that.... I just needed a break from the paper to rant a little... I feel better now!!

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I should write a little side note saying that I am so glad that I am in university and on my way to being a teacher... I wouldn't want it any other way and I feel very lucky to already have one degree and another one almost under my belt... but when your in the midst of all this work it is hard to see the positives and benefits of the degree!

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For all those wondering what Prader-Willi Syndrome is, well it's the most common cause of life-threatening obesity in children. Basically the children who have this syndrome never know when they are full, so they could just eat and eat and eat. So they need to be watched closely. There is so much more to the syndrome, but there is not the time to get into it on here when there is a paper to be written and it's 12:04 am! A little guy in my class has it and I just think he's the sweetest kid, it's been so cool to learn more about it and in a way more about him!

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I still am waiting to post about last weekend... I have the pictures on the computer just not the time to post them... will come soon!!! Hope your all surviving... Laura and feel your paper writing pain... just remember in the long run it will so be worth it!!! Love ya!!!

This is how I feel RIGHT NOW!

This is how I feel right now... don't I look excited! I'm sitting in my ESL class which I do love, but I am just so tired today that I don't want to be here. I've been at school since 8:30 am and it is currently 5:50 and my class doesn't end until 7pm...LONG DAY! I had a presentation on Prader-Will Syndrome this morning which went really well, everyone was super interested because it was a syndrome they had never heard of before. It felt so good to have it finished with and for it to go well... it was nice to check it off the list. This year has been CRAZY busy so far and I don't really feel like I'm ever getting ahead of the game. Oh well school will be done soon for the holidays and I'm so excited.

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This weekend was a lot of fun, well Saturday was and there are pictures to accompany it so I won't write about it now because I'm in class and I don't have the pictures here right now. Hope your night is more exciting then mine is... only and hour and 5 minutes to go! But who is counting- right?!

A little Hello!

I am slowly learning how to enter all these contests that people are kind enough to offer... so here's hoping this is the winning ticket! Check out Kristi's blog or sonja's scentsy page and maybe you could be the winner... I'd be jealous but happy for you!! I'm in math right now so I suppose I should be listening to measurement! Will up date soon, life has been crazy busy, I've been exhausted, working hard at school and roots but surviving. Brandon is in his second practicum and enjoying it a lot, we are both ready to be teaching! Hope you are all having a wonderful day!

I love this Georgia Video

I finally figured out a way to share video's from my new camera and I couldn't be more thrilled. This is the most recent video I have of miss georgia chatting with me and I just love it- she is talking so much and is so funny! I should mention that as she is talking to me the candy that she wants is sitting in a big vase right in front of her. Hope you enjoy!

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Please continue on reading and check out my other post, I'm looking for some poetic help from my blogger friends... so PLEASE keep reading and help a girl out.

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P.S If anyone has SKYPE I just downloaded it- fun times!!!

Poets Wanted!!

Poets Wanted... okay friends, I'm looking for some help, I have a big science project that is due in a week, and my friend Sarah and I have decided to do a lesson plan to help grade one students learn to classify what a bird is. We wanted to have an action poem for the kids to do at the end of the lesson to help them remember the facts, so if you have any good lines or whole poems you want to share that would be AMAZING and you would get credit in our project!

Here are the things that need to be included in the poem:

Birds have two legs

Birds have wings

Birds have beaks

Birds have feathers

Birds lay eggs

Birds sometimes fly (not always)

So if anyone is a poet and we just don't know it yet, let this be the place that you share it. Seriously friends I am offering a prize for the person who can write me an awesome poem... remember it needs to be simple since it is for grade one!!

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What is a post without pictures. A few weeks ago Brandon and I had all 5 kids over and we had a blast! We ate treats, watched tv and colored! Uncle Brandon decided to scare the kids which I did not support and tried to stop without success. He went out and bought a michael myers mask and terrified the kids... honestly they were in tears! Sarah was under a blanket crying before he even entered the room, Jacob ran to the corner and cried, Georgia just stared and wondered what the heck was going on and jessica, although scared at first, found it funny in the end and tried the mask on. The others insisted we throw the mask out and wanted to see it in the garbage. Little Cooper just laid on the floor with no clue of what had just transpired. I'm not going to lie it was a little funny, and I laughed a little, but I did worry if we'd ever get the kids over to visit again. We saw them the next day and all children slept fine, although miss g was telling us that she didn't want to come to  auntie kaka's anymore. I saw her this Monday and she was still saying she didn't want to come over because she's been having bad dreams of scary uncle Brandon, but we will win her over and she'll come play again! It was a FUN night!

Jake doing his typical smile face

Georgia colored her first picture for my fridge

Cooper ate dinner on my floor

The girls made spooky fridge pictures, Jessica wanted hers to be a surprise

Cute shot of Sarah and Cooper- love them!!

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This has been a CRAZY week I haven't had to work but have had so many assignments to do and the end is no where in sight. I have this weekend off so I'll be working like crazy! I work a lot the next two weeks so I need to get a lot done. Wish me luck that I survive this semester!

Thanksgiving 2009

Brandon and I have a lot to be thankful for... too much that it's hard to list it all... but here are just a few things...

Our Marriage

Our Families

Our Friends

Our Home

Our Health 

Our Education

The Fact that we'll be GRADUATING this year!

The Gospel in our lives

and so so so much more, it is a never ending list...

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We celebrated Thanksgiving twice again this year and LOVED every minute of it. Here are some shots from The O'Hearon/Nelson/Bing families Thanksgiving dinner. Kathy & Jeff hosted us again this year and did an amazing job... it was DELICIOUS! I was so full, and wished I could have made more room to keep eating because there was so much good food!

Seriously you could eat this kid up he is so cute!

Beautiful shot of Mike and Keah

No one told me there was a dress cold of denim and black & white... not cool ladies!

Me and Miss K... had to get a shot of us together since her mom was away... we missed her!

Our attempt at a new family photo... this was the best one I got... Thanks to Jake and G for being silly!

The Nelson 5... LOVE them!

Me and my sweetie... very full from dinner!

Laura keeps us all young and having fun... this was another cheesy family shot we took, but we loved every minute of taking it... keep them coming Laura!

some others wanted a chance to jump... this was the best star fish shot!

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The next day we celebrated Thanksgiving Bing family style and had another delicious meal. This year my mother-in-law Laureen was banned from the kitchen, the girls pitched in and made dinner while the boys did the dishes... it was SUPER yummy and I had a great time chatting with all my sister-in-laws and future SIL, I've gotten caught up on wedding planes times two and i loved every minute of that!! Brandon wasn't feeling great during dinner so we didn't get a picture together, but we brought him some dinner home and he's doing much better now!

Me and my future sister-in-law Sarah

Ryan & Chels... next to be married!

Jaccob & Sarah getting married in April

Brittany & Ian... glad to have him with us this year!

Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends- I'm thankful for everyone who reads my blog and especially those who leave comments!! Have a great weekend, I'm off to see Where The Wild Things Are- I'll let you know how it is, I've heard it's not made for young children.

To Mrs. Brandon McCreedy with LOVE...

Dear Mrs.Brandon McCreedy...

I wanted to thank you for all the sweet reminders that I have received on my facebook the past few weeks. It's nice to know that someone was missing my blog and looking forward to it. I hope that this lengthy post brings a smile to your face and catches you up on the past month that I have been a blog slacker. You are an amazing gal and I can't wait to meet you in person someday... hopefully soon!!!

Love Mrs. Brandon Bing

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Hello all my blogger friends I am back after a very lengthy break from blogging... I only updated once in September which is not acceptable at all. To defend myself I must say that I was sick for THREE weeks, yes, that's right THREE weeks. It began with fever and chills and then turned into tiredness and a cold and then finally it ended with strep throat which was not pleasant, and made me stay inside for 48 hours and 10 days of antibiotics. I must report that I'm doing much better and plan to be a blogger again.

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I want to be a better blogger, one who updates through out the week with short little posts with pictures. I love everyone's little posts, but I tend to always do the lengthy posts. This is my new goal, and would appreciate any reminders. The only long post that will come will be a Disney update because I haven't even shared that experience with you all! So here is a recap of September 2009 (and a little August too!)

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When we got back from Disney we celebrated Dad's birthday with the family, it was great to see everyone since we'd been away and we were able to give the kiddies their gifts. Miss G was like another child, she was talking so much more... which is super adorable. We had some delicious cake and spent some time together.

Pops with kiddies... he needed the extra help with his candles...

Keah was happy to have mike back... Laura was just happy!

Me and Mr.Chubs Cooper... isn't he a babe!

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September also brought with it Sarah's 7th birthday... she is such a quiet and sweet little girl who was excited to celebrate and couldn't wait to open presents and have cake. She got some beautiful new dresses were on the top of her list, she was quite excited. I can't believe she is seven already, she is growing up so quick and we LOVE her so much!!

I can understand why the chicks dig him!!! That drool what a babe magnet!

This kid just cracks me up!

Me and The Birthday Girl, seven years together!!

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In the midst of all my illness I went to a Bachelorette party for my friend Nicole. We have known each other since grade primary, and she was getting married two days later here in Halifax. Her and her now husband live out west so it was nice to have them home. It was fun eating food and playing funny games with the girls. Not being a drinker, and having school the next day I headed out early but I had a nice time. Here is a group of all the ladies... we are pro's at taking pictures using the timer!

Here are all the gals, ranging from Halifax, to Calgary, to Kansas, to New York

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Nicole and Matt got married! That was the same day I figured out myself that I had strep throat, although I didn't get to the doctor until Monday! Anyway the wedding was really nice, I have not been to a church wedding in a longtime, it was cool to see one of my closest friends walk down the isle, she looked amazing, the dress was WOW! Brandon and I headed down to the water front with everyone to snap some pictures. I was an honorary bridesmaid, she had seven brides maids and then 5 honorary brides maids, we wore read and the others wore turquoise. The reception was a lot of fun, it was wonderful to hangout with all my girls and their special people. I was proud of myself, I made it through the whole day not tearing up, and then she danced with her grandfather to "I loved her first" and the tears came it was so sweet seeing her dance with poppy!

Mr.&Mrs. Blades.... so happy for them!

The honorary bridesmaids (thanks Naomi for lending me the dress) Lindsay, Emily, Denise, Kaitlyn and myself with the bride Nicole!

These are my survivor girls... I love them so much, Laura, Denise, Natalie, Me and Kerry with Nicole in the front row... it was a wonderful day... Laura is up next to be married!

The beautiful bride showing off her rings... we have the same wedding band!

Me and my sweetie at the reception, he was such a trooper that day... I was so bummed all I wanted to do was slow dance with him, but he had to leave for work before they played a song!

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We're into OCTOBER now!

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Miss Karington turned ONE... and I was able to go over and celebrate her special day. There were loads of friends, amazing decorations, and oh so many cupcakes-YUM! The birthday girl looked super cute and girlie and had a blast with her cake! It was a wonderful night and I CANNOT believe it's been a year already, I feel like it was yesterday that Phil called me in the middle of the night to let me know she had arrived! I'm looking forward to seeing how much she grows this next year!

Seriously I loved the tutu!

This was the end result of the birthday cake

Karington and Mum...even after a bath she still had a slight layer of sugar on her!

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My nanny turned 80 this past week... I can't even believe she is 80... wow! So the whole family headed over to her place to celebrate which was nice because we don't get there enough to visit with her. It was a fun night, we ordered Chinese food, which seemed weird to me, I just didn't picture Nanny with Chinese food, but she loved it. We had cake... super store which is the BEST and took some fun pictures! It was wonderful, I love my family so much, especially goofy Laura who makes us take funny family pictures, she brings a lot of fun to our crazy family!

Seriously this is a face anyone would love... I think this is why Jeremy likes her!

My Nanny with some of her grandkids and grandkids-in-law

Holly (my cousin Bruce's wife), Mike, Nanny, Kathy, Laura, Keah, Me and Brandon)

I love my family and this cheese ball picture... Laura has such wonderful ideas!

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I forgot to mention that I did three weeks of practice teaching and I LOVE it... I'm at a school in Dartmouth doing grade three and my teacher is awesome. The kids are super cute and I'm learning loads. Right now I'm back in classes at the Mount and am trying to get back in the swing of things... they are loading on the work! Today I meant to be more school productive but the four day weekend took me over and I didn't get much done, but oh well what can one do!

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The kiddies came over... there will be pictures... hopefully they sleep tonight... uncle brandon decided to go out and buy a scary Mike Myers mask and scare them... Jessica was a little scared but tried the mask on after... Sarah was crying under a blanket before he even entered the room, jake ran and hid in the corner and cried and Georgia was confused and fine at first but then saw everyone else freak out that she got scared, Cooper had no clue what was going on. So he got a big lecture from me! Sorry Kathy and Jeff... but it was kinda funny!

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This weekend is Thanksgiving and I'm SUPER excited- O'Hearon Family dinner Sunday, Bing Family Dinner on Monday!!! Let the eating begin... and can I just say, tomorrow is my first Sunday without Nursery, I don't even know what to do with myself!

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Hope you enjoyed the massive update Jennifer- you ROCK!