December 2008 Recap Part One

Well everyone the new year has arrived and I didn't get one post in December, shame on me! One of my new years goals was to be better at blogging because it is a little journal of what goes on in the Bing home. 

We have been having a great but busy December, and I'm hoping to re-count the fun in the next few posts... fingers crossed! It's perfect because it is new years day and we are snowed in at my in-laws house, we just had a delicious pancake breakfast and are going to play some Mario kart in a little while.

I don't think all these events are quite in the correct order but I am going to try my best! So here we go I hope you all make it through the events of the Bing Home!!

The first thing to write about is my crafting fun! As everyone knows I love making cards, I long to be a better scrapbooker, but for now card making it is. Brandon doesn't understand the joy I find in it, but I love it. I had so many crafty friends and I love when we are able to get together and share our creativity. In the past little while I was able to make it to an amazing card making night at Lis' home, we were few in numbers (me, lis, lesley and kathy) but we had great fun. Lis has so many amazing tools and ideas that I was in crafting heaven. I was so glad I went because I was able to use Lis' amazing paper slicer to get all my Christmas Cards cut out!! It would have taken me forever to cut them all at home. So we crafted and listened to the HSM soundtracks and munched on yummy food... what a great night! I'm looking forward to the next craft night especially since I have some new crafting tools!!!!

I am aspiring to have a room like this... it is an entire room for CRAFTS... and this is Lis' stamp wall... isn't it amazing! She has so much table space and everything... I Love Love Love it!!

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Christmas came to the Bing Home a little early this year, I just HAD to put our tree up at the end of November. So I picked the tree up from my parents, it's artificial since we are in an apartment, and set it up that night. It was quite a pain in my butt, see it used to be my grandparents tree, so it's an older tree. It comes pre-lit, which back then meant that all the strings of lights were wrapped around it in a crazy fashion, then all the plug ends are stuck together and taped with electrical tape. So when a string of lights was broken, it made for a fun night. I was not happy with this tree and ended up taking many string of lights off and buying new ones to put on. The next day I noticed another string stopped working so I just covered them with new lights, I was done fighting. That Monday night we decorated the tree before my one tree hill friends came over. I love my ornaments, it was so fun to see them again and remember the memories. Brandon played along and helped me decorate it early and even put the star on the top for me. Next year I'd like to get a ribbon garland or something like that to add to my tree. Our tree just makes the apartment feel so much warmer and cozy!

Brandon and I finished our first semester at the mount, which we were thrilled about. We've gotten most of out marks back and so far there is nothing lower then a B+ and the highest is an A+, we were both very pleased and happy to see our hard work paying off. December was a busy month at school with many things due at the end of the semester. I did a project that had three lesson plans in it and I think it was just under 50 pages. I tend to put a lot of detail into things... hopefully my teacher didn't mind too much. We also had a few fun events as well, my program (elementary) had a potluck lunch one day and a surprise baby shower another day. Our friend Leanne is pregnant with her second baby, a little girl who I believe will be names Mary. So Heather planned a "Christmas Party" for everyone to come to which was actually a baby shower. Leanne was very surprised and got many cute things for baby Mary, we are all excited to meet her when she arrives in a few weeks. The best part of the entire baby shower was a song written for the occasion by Peter, it brought tears to most of the people in the room, what a thoughtful gift to give. Check it out on my facebook because it is taking forever to load on here.

This is a group shot of a few of us that were left at the end, there were many more of us there but there was another event going on that night that people had to leave early for. I'm in the back corner next to my friend Patrizia. Funny Story, Patrizia and I knew each other when we were children through my friend and neighbor Paola. We used to play together all the time, but as we got older didn't see each other as much, so the BEd program re-united us, it was nice knowing I had a friend in the program before I even started!

My last class for the semester was a BLAST! It's a seminar class where we talk about our practicum, and the teaching profession in general. For fun Heidi and Margaret took our entire class which is like 60 people to the Discovery Center, we had a little greeting and were then allowed to roam free and have fun. It was a lot of fun and we took some crazy pictures there too. Check out my facebook for more pictures. This is one of me in a Pharaoh Case Type thing all made out of LEGO! Cool I know!!

Since school ended it was time to have some holiday fun. Last year at Roots was crazy, myself, Jeff and Maria were running the show which was hectic but we did an awesome job if I do say so myself. We had a great team working with us, and we all became great friends. So we had a "wii" reunion at Ben's new place. We had food, wii and great company. We laughed so so much that night and I hated that I had to leave early. This is a picture of the entire gang, the sign is for our friend Farah who has been away for the past semester, we miss her lots and are so excited for her return this semester. We hope to have another fun night like this once she's back in town because it just wasn't the same without her! I love my Roots Family!!

The Gang... Me, Ben, Nicole, Melanie, Jeff and Maria... Ben and I were not told about the dress code for the evening, black tops and jeans... we had a good laugh about that one!

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The reason I had to leave early that night was because that survivor ended and there was no way that I could miss it! It was awesome, my guy Bob who was ADORABLE , and who we thought was on his way out somehow made it to the finals and WON!!! We were beyond excited. Then they have another prize that the public votes on for their favorite survivor and Bob won that too. The Thursday before the finally I had the girls over to the apartment to watch the show and so that I could give them their Christmas Ornaments. We had food and our favorite show and just hung out and visited, I love the girls and are so thankful for their friendship!

This is the girls with their new ornaments, I had to hold one off my tree so we'd all fit in

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This is the first installment of recap of December, be prepared for more!!

Mini Post 1: HSM3 Second Viewing

I was very excited a few weeks ago to have gotten the chance to see High School Musical 3 with my friends Nathan and Caverly Smith. I was very excited again a few days later to get to go see one of my favorite movies again with my sisters and my nieces and nephew. Since we all didn't have school on Remembrance day we headed over to Dartmouth Crossing to see the movie. I think it was a little long for Jake, but everyone had a blast seeing it. I got to sit between Jessica and Sarah which was awesome because I got to watch their excited faces, they both told me that I was not allowed to sing during the movie, the little stinkers!! We had a blast though and I would totally go see it again, but I don't think Brandon would let me go for a third time..haha!

The High School Musical Screen outside the movie and three excited kids ready to finally see the movie!

On our way to the movie, lucky auntie karen got to squeeze into the back seat of the van, that was a whole lot of fun. We sang Disney songs the whole was there, my kinda car ride!

My great sisters in the front seat ready to go and super excited for HSM3!!

It was a great day and I'm so glad I was able to hang out with my family and see such a great movie, I recommend it to everyone... such a feel good movie!!

Meaghan on One Tree Hill!!!!!!

So if you didn't hear or didn't know one of Meaghan's songs was played on One Tree Hill tonight. It was so cool to be watching my favorite show and then hear one of my favorite people singing. Everyone was very silent while the song was on the show! I had to make sure I caught then ending of the episode when they tell you where the music was from... sooooo cool to see Meaghan included on the CW's One Tree Hill... so very proud of my friend she is so talented, and just the sweetest person around!!! Congrats Meaghan on all the success so far, I know there is way more to come from you!!! Hope you enjoyed the little clip from the show's ending!!

Go Wildcats!!!!

Can I just say...awww High School Musical was SOOOOOOOOOO AMAZING!!! Tonight I finally had the opportunity to see the movie I have been waiting and waiting to see. Every time I would see an add for the movie or a music video from the movie on the family channel I would long to see High School Musical 3 sooo badly. After many facebook messages trying to find a date Caverly Smith and I finally decided that we were going to see the movie we loved. I've known Caverly for a few years now, and it wasn't until we were at her wedding reception this year that we discovered our mutual love for HSM. So it was meant to be that we went and saw the movie together. So at 9:15pm we finally got to see the movie we've been waiting to see and it was sooooo worth it. Her sweet husband Nathan joined us tonight to, and he knows his fair share about the movies, I'm sure thanks to Cav! He was too funny throughout the entire movie. Anyone who hasn't seen it needs to I'll go with anyone!

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So my review of the movie... I don't want to say much since I have some friends who haven't seen it yet... but I LOVED IT!!! It was everything I wanted in the ending of these movies. It had the BEST end shot ever... when you see the movie write me so we can all talk about it. The songs were sooooooo awesome, I want the sound track so much so I can learn them all. I always leave seeing movies like this wanting to sing and dance, which wasn't really and option tonight since I have a really sore throat.

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I had a blast going to the movie with Nathan and Caverly, I recommend movie going with them soooo much, it was a blast. Unfortunately Brandon wasn't able to make it to the movie with us tonight, there was no way he would have been able to sit through it. I figured since I already made him sit through the Princess Diaries Two I wouldn't make him suffer, even though the movie ROCKED!!!! As you will see next, we had to take a few pictures to remember the night. I don't think I've laughed that hard in awhile. Nathan even was dancing in the rows and hopping seats after the movie... don't worry everyone else had left and we were watching the credits... so we had to join in. Outside we wanted to re-create all the fun jumps in the movie so check out our attempts... Big Thanks to Nathan and Caverly for a super fun night, can't wait to hang out again sometime soon!!! High School Musical Three ROCKS!

This was our first test shot, when I realized the timer was on...

We wanted everyone (Cav,Nathan and Me) in the picture so the Smith's snatched a table so we could try to get a great group shot but unfortunately it wasn't tall enough- so bummed. I love the look on Caverly's face, checking to make sure we were all clear.

This was actually the last shot we took... we were having fun re-creating the movie with the jumps, so Nathan got into the action and they tried to do this move that Troy and Gabriella do, it didn't quite work, but it made for a great picture- how fun are the Smith's!! Oh and don't worry no one was hurt in the taking of this picture, but what was so funny was as soon as the were both up on their feet another movie emptied out and there were soooo many people in the hall, we finished just in the nick of time!!

This is us building up to our jump!

This is just one of our many jumps... we were getting so warm by this point...hahaa!

Our arms and faces say Jump but our feet say not so much!!

Karen and Caverly, High School Musical Friends for Life!!! We just are too cute, I had to document the night... I look decent seeing as I was definitely tearing up in the movie... I'm a crier what can I say, movies move me.

FINALLY SUCCESS!!!! We got the jump done and don't we look way happy about that!! I'm off to search youtube for some HSM3 clips!!!

Prepare for a BIG update...lots of pictures!!

Hey Everyone I'm back after a long vacation from my blog, almost a month. Things have been busy as always here in the Bing home. School has been keeping both Brandon and I really busy and we both have been in our schools once a week observing our teachers. This week started out two week block where we will actually have the opportunity to teach which is exciting. I am in a rougher part of the city, and I'm not going to lie I was a bit worried going into my practicum, but I LOVE IT!!! I have met so many awesome teachers and some amazing children. They are sweet kids and I'm enjoying working with them so much. I feel like I am gaining so much valuable experience and I know if I can teach here I can teach anywhere.

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The next part of my blog is a little recap of what has been going on around here since my last post, although I don't think I wrote about Thanksgiving, but it was awesome- check out all my pictures on facebook!

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Happy Belated Halloween to Everyone!!

Brandon and I had another wonderful Halloween. It is definitely one of our favorite holidays along with Christmas. We have a lot of family fun which you will see below in our pictures. We started Halloween off by going to school, there were a few costumes such as Napoleon, Bacon and Eggs and Indiana Jones. My teachers gave us treats too. It was all very fun. Brandon and I then had the opportunity to head to my elementary school for the Halloween sock hop. The kids didn't wear costumes but everyone wore black and orange which was neat to see. The sixth grade girls decorated the gym which looked awesome and the students had a blast. It was sad to see grade primary kids that could dance better then I could. Two of my sixth grade boys and a grade primary little guy had a dance off and the grade primary little boy spun on his head which was pretty awesome. Brandon and I worked on helping out with the face painting, which was a great opportunity to meet some of the other students in the school. There were many cute grade primary kids! We had a blast and I was so glad Brandon got to see my school.

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We then had the chance to visit my grandparents since Kathy, Jeff and the kids were there. It was our first opportunity to see the kiddies in their costumes and they looked so cute. Brandon and I don't always get the opportunity to visit my grandparents so it was awesome to see my nanny and grampy. We headed to Kathy and Jeff's and had Wendy's for dinner which was yummy and then we helped the kids get ready for Trick-or-Treating.

The Kids in their costumes with their carved pumpkins- too cute!!

Our Traditional picture with the kids, Georgia is in there too she was hard to keep still. L-R Me, Princess Sarah, Kitty Georgia, Vampire Jacob, Jessica the witch and Brandon.

After Trick-or-treating we headed over to the Peterson's place for a little party, which was a lot of fun. It was great to visit with some old friends and to meet some new friends too. My favorite part was seeing all the cute kiddo's in their costumes, again see facebook for all their cute pictures. These are two of my favorite little people, Emmy the bumble bee and Ireland the lady bug. They were so adorable and had such cute costumes. I loved seeing them and visiting with my little friends. Thanks to Jessica, Luke and Elle for a fun night!!

Me and my sweetie pie trick-or-treating... one is never too old to go!!

This is one of my favorite pictures from Halloween... this is little miss georgia on her first trick-or-treating experience. She went out last year but didn't participate in this. She was so funny and so brave. She would walk right up with the bag on her shoulder, then she would take the candy from the person in her hand, and then place it in her own bag. So FUNNY! The only time she was a little scared was when these older masked kids were at the door at the same time, she kept a good hold on uncle Brandon's hand and kept taking steps back to get away from them. One of the kids was going to let her go first but she wouldn't move until he was gone. Oh it was toooo funny!!!

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Brandon and I ended the night by watching a scary movie and I don't think I will ever again... I do NOT like scary movies at all!!!

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Thursday night was the Bing Family Halloween Party and it was sooooooo much fun!!! My mother-in-law gets so into the season and the home was so beautifully decorated. We had a DELICIOUS dinner ribs, mashed potatoes and corn. We had squash soup in pumpkin bowls- Laureen empties them out by hand for us. How awesome is she!! The rooms was so decorated and we had Halloween music playing in the background. Dessert was all sorts of Halloween treats- candy, Carmel corn, chocolate covered apples, finger cookies and fudge. After dinner we had a little hunt for clues around the property and my father-in-law hid in the shed in a mask to scare us. We then played Halloween charades and carved pumpkins- it was A BLAST!!!! Thanks to mom and dad Bing for a super fun night!!

Some of Laureen's really cute decorations

The family at the festive table... love it!!!

Two of my beautiful sister-in-laws Meaghan and Brittany

A close up shot of the table setting- those little houses move and make sounds!

All geared up to eat our yummy dinner!!! DELICIOUS!!

Brittany and my Mother-in-law Laureen, the Holiday Queen, she is another Martha Stewart!

On the Wednesday before Halloween Sonja and Karrington stopped by for a visit. It was a blast to get to hold the baby again and to see her in her Roots sleeper! Brandon even got to hold her that night he was so cute holding her!!

In my language arts class we had to make pumpkins look at all the cool pumpkins everyone had made.

These are the two that I made- I made two because the one made out of paper mache made me nervous and I wasn't sure if it was going to work out

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Graeme and Lydia got married in October! Brandon and I had the chance to go and celebrate with them at their reception which was really nice. Brandon and I were both pretty drained since we had Professional Development Day, which meant a full day at workshops with other teachers. It was a busy but good day. Graeme and Lydia both looked so amazing and so happy together. There were lots of cute games and the food was delicious! I guess on their first date Graeme made Lydia Crepes since he served his mission in France, so they had a crepe bar set up. You could have as many as you could eat within a certain amount of time. They had desert ones and meal ones...soooo yummy... a really neat idea!

Ryan and Chelsey at the wedding reception... such a cute couple

Mr. and Mrs. Thompson looking so awesome!

Me and my sweetie

Hannah and I... I was beyond excited to see Hannah at this reception. We had grown up together in the youth program and I don't think I've seen her in years. Since the last time I had seen her she's been married and has a toddler... wow time flies. So It was super exciting to see her, I've missed her a lot! I'm so glad she may be able to visit here more since her sister and brother-in-law now live in the city!!

The card I made for The Thompson's... I tried to make it like them.

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 One Tree Hill Nights... have been going on as usual and have been as fun as ever! We have a great group of fans who all bring delicious treats! We had another week with visitors since Ariel was in town visiting family. She's a big fan of the show so we couldn't have her miss a week. It was so nice to have her and her sister Hannah and little baby Rebecca join us. I was excited to meet Rebecca in person she is such a cutie pie!!

Here is a group shot minus me...check out kathy the cool dude...oh my!

One last shot to end my post... the kids came by for a visit- we had a lot of fun hanging out with them and taking some pictures

Little Miss Karington

So I finally got down to the hospital tonight to meet little miss karington. We were waiting to head down because Sonja thought she might be able to head home tonight but they decided to keep her until tomorrow. So as soon as we got the word Brandon and I headed down. I was so excited!! She is so tiny and cute, and especially pretty in pink. She was great while we were there just sleeping, she made a few little peeps, but overall was just peaceful and sleepy!! I of course had to snap pictures like crazy and I warned her to get used to it!! Matt, Nancy and Madison stopped in while we were there too, so it was great to see them and Madison who is now 8 months old, wow how time flies! Hope you enjoy the pictures finally... the rest of them will be posted on facebook!

Karington Hannah Nelson

October 7, 2008

all bundled up!

look at that face...what a cutie!

Mummy and Daughter... looking good!!

I've been waiting for this all day... finally getting to hold her, I didn't want to give her back!

Welcome Baby Nelson!!

Phil and Sonja had their Baby Girl Welcome...

Karington Hannah Nelson

7 lbs. 2 oz.

Born at 12:37 am

That time is correct,  Sonja called me sometime around 10:50ish last night saying she was 2 cm and she has her like an hour and a half later... Phil called us at 1:28 am with the exciting news. I'm hoping I spelled her name correct, and got the weight right, I'm pretty sure. She was eating when I was talking to Phil and everyone seemed to be doing well... I guess Sonja dilated fast and had Karington out in like three pushes. I'm excited to talk to Sonja today, I'm going to call around lunch time from school and then we plan to go visit them after school. I'm super excited to meet this little girl and to take some pictures, so hopefully I'll post some later today!!!!