Happy New Year!

Yeah, so this post is a little late. Who cares, right?  :)  I was just sitting and reflecting on what a great start 2011 has had so far!  Mostly for journaling purposes, I want to reflect on what the first three weeks has brought to me.
Of course, as the new year rolled in, I set my resolutions, which included the generic ones:

• Get to the ideal weight for my height
• Read the scriptures 30 minutes a day
• Become a more patient mommy
• Be a more optimist mommy and wife
• Take time for myself
• Exercise 5 days a week
• Make it the temple once a month

But really, with the generic, basic goals, it’s been an amazing year so far, and I’m already more positive about life! 
I’ve been going to a killer aerobics class in the mornings with ladies in my ward, and it’s so fun!  I’m starting to feel more buff, and despite the stupid scale telling me I’ve gained 3-4 pounds (I’ll blame weaning and muscle building), I’ve lost inches and am starting to fit into my “skinny” pants more comfortably. And Darrell asked me if I’d lost weight.  We’ll skip the actual stupid scale results here, smile and thank the husband.
I went to Bunko about a month ago -(which had the most AMAZING fondue bar I’d ever experienced, but that’s another story)- but my prize there was a gift certificate to get a hair cut and a manicure.  I’m now now longer sporting split ends, and I’m trying out the side-swept bangs look.  It’s taken some getting used to, but still fun.
That was one up on getting an excuse to take time for myself. 
The same week I got my hair cut and my hands pampered, I hemmed some pants for my neighbor, who just so happens to own the Toe Chateau, where she does foot stuff (i.e. pedicures).  For hemming the pants, Jenni then gave me a pedicure!  Cue feet feeling ready for a new year.
Then, today I went to the dentist.  As fun as that sounds, I was cavity free, and now my mouth is ready for a new year!
Another random thing; I took my wedding ring in for it’s annual cleaning and re-rhodiumed (Whatever that is). Anyway, my ring now looks brand new again, and is also (you guessed it) ready for a new year!
With time for myself, I’m hoping to take a cake decorating class, experience zumba and/or spinning, and I have three 5K’s on my list for the year, possibly even a half marathon.

The scripture reading goal has also, so far, been successful. I’m feeling the Lord carry me through the stressful, ornery times of the day, and I feel more like somebody that I’d want to hang out with.  I also feel the He is helping me see the sunshine a little bit brighter on the plain old great days. 
Darrell and I were able to start off the year with a date to the temple, and it was an amazing session of just feeling peace and knowing that my Heavenly Father is aware of me, and knows I’m trying my best each day.

Now, to look to the rest of the year!! The GMAT is a “maybe” on Darrell’s list for the year, so I’m going to support him and help him in whatever he needs to do for that.  Also a new (to us) minivan purchase is on the horizon.  So exciting!  Hopefully we’ll throw some exciting vacations and/or outings with the family to toss some extra fun into the mix.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

Lillie’s Birthday Party!

First off, the sad part of the story.  On Thursday, Lillie’s birthday, I pulled out my camera to take pictures.   Once I started taking pictures, I realized my flash is either broken or burned out (same thing?).  That was sad.  Also, if the light is not very optimum around now, my camera will not take good pictures at all. Super sad story. 
The good that comes from the bad: 3 different people (My dad, My father-in-law and my sister) bring great cameras to Lillie’s party and take dozens and dozens of pictures.
  The hard part of the story.  Selecting the BEST pictures to put on the blog from her party :)  Hence, you may get too many, but oh well:)

 

Saturday the 15th we had Lillie’s party!!  We had grandparents, some aunts and uncles, and a couple friends here to celebrate! (About the max amount of people we could fit comfortably. :))

 

Lillie was ready for a fun fun day!

 

My good friend, Ashley, and cake making extraordinaire, came a little early to help me put the cake together.  I had never done a fondant cake before, and so she helped me out a lot!  It was definitely a lot of fun!   

Lillie was happy and ready to party!

Once we got her on a sugar high, it was time for presents! She definitely got spoiled, and we had a lot of fun!! Hooray for birthday!

Can’t believe it’s been 1 year already!

Thursday our little Princess turned one!  This has been quite the year for us, and she has just made it all that much better!  From her amazing arrival, to being the light in the days that were rough, to her spontaneous constant laughter, to her fun personality, we love everything about her!  I took her in for pictures on her birthday, and am slightly grumpy that I can no longer share them on the blog and facebook through JCPenney’s new format.  If you’re interested in seeing the fantastically darling things, click HERE.  (It’s just a slideshow).

I took her in yesterday for her 12 month well-child visit, where she got stats and, of course, dumb shots.  Glad they’re over.  Here are her stats, and some pictures to see just how much she has grown over the past year:

28.25 inches long – 24th Percentile
19 lbs 9 oz – 23rd Percentile

(Pictures of the celebration coming soon)

    

More Christmas

We always try to get together with our families over the holidays.  This year on Christmas we headed to Richfield to party with my family.  I just took a few pictures to show how much fun 39 people have when a reason to party occurs :)

 

Steven and his “Best buddy” Tait

 

Lillie was getting into everything, so Darrell put her in this box.  It proved to be very exciting :)

We also had a delightful New Years Eve dinner with my fam, and a wonderful New Years Day with Darrell’s family.  I’m a little sad to be done with the holidays.  They were so much fun with my kids.  At least we have all the loot to keep us entertained for a while :)

Christmas Morning!

This year, for the first time with our little family, we had Christmas morning at our own house.  It was exciting to start this tradition, especially since it was our first Christmas in our house.  We had to wait forever for Darrell to wake up before we went down to see what Santa brought. But thankfully, it was worth the wait. :)

Steven got tools from Santa, and was excited to get to work!

 

Lillie got Beads and a dolly.  She has always loved beads.

 

A yummy Christmas morning breakfast!

 

We all got BYU jammies for Christmas.  On Christmas Eve when Steven opened his pajamas, he disappointedly said, “it’s material.” and tossed them aside.  IT was hilarious.  We showed him they were actually pajama pants though.  As you can tell, he was thrilled about a picture.

 

Opening present.  Steven’s cousins gave him some Buzz Lightyear wings, which he LOVES! Lillie also got some great toys.

 

Christmas Eve

For Christmas Eve, Darrell got off work at like 10 a.m., so it was a day to party!!  We headed to Springville to see Santa, and spend the evening with some of Darrell’s family. Our kids looted up there, before heading home for a night to sleep and hope Santa would come.