Friday, January 31, 2014

Playate in Salem


It had been way too long sine I had seen Jill so we finally figured out a day to meet for a play date with the kids.  It was so nice to chat with my cookie and the kids had fun playing together. 
 
  I forgot my camera so all I have are iPhone pics. :(
 
Snack time

Tripp

Peyt and Tripp


Olivia and Zoie are almost exactly a year apart and they have so much fun together.


Love her. (Every time we meet up, we end up dressing similar to each other, it's hilarious).

January

Wow I haven't blogged in a really long time.  January is my least favorite month  by far! It's cold, dreary, no more Christmas and we have not had the best start to 2014.  Here's to a better start in Februrary!
 
I didn't take many pictures this month. Just a few of the kids playing with their new toys from Christmas...
 
 
Liv loves her little VW convertible beetle


And Peyton is non-stop on his electric scooter.

Love that they get to ride together now.

Liv finally ventured out on her scooter.  She would ride it inside the house, but wouldn't touch it outside.

This girl and her puzzles.  She will do them all day long and she is ridiculously good at them.  We have races and she just about beats me.


Love her little face.

Practicing her name


Despite how much these two bicker, they truly love each other. 
Quick story: Peyton spent the night at his Grammy and Papa's without Olivia a couple weeks ago (she was running a fever) and he cried the next day wanting to come home saying he really missed his sister.  They are so close and are total best friends!

Thursday, January 2, 2014

NYE/2013 Reflection

This year we spent NYE at Steph and RJ's house playing cards all night...PERFECT! 
 

My annual reflection..  Let's see how 2013 was..... 

1. What did you do in 2013 that you’d never done before? Ran Hood to Coast.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?


Last year's:
~Reduce the stress in my life...try to not do and be everything.  I think I did a little better with this, although it seems as though the stress of life keeps increasing as the years go on
~Get in great running shape--I was in great running shape this summer, but I quickly lost all my hard work after Hood to Coast was over.  I'm back on it now that the holidays are over.
As for new resolutions?  
~Get back in great running shape, I'm finding that running is the easiest way for me to stay in shape.  I also want to lift more weights to tone up a bit. 
~Be more financially responsible and be ready for those unexpected expenses, i.e. a new transmission for one of the Volvos that's now in the shop.  UGH.
That's it, I've learned I have to keep it short, simple and realistic!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Yes, my two nephews Brandon and Sean had baby boys, Sully and Julien, respectively. 

4. Did anyone close to you die? No thank goodness.

5. What countries did you visit? None.

6. What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013? Patience.

7. What dates from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? B and I's 10-year anniversary.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Surviving Hood to Coast! Also, B and I got away for TWO beach weekends!

9. What was your biggest failure? Not doing as many fun activities with the kids, and not having enough patience with them.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? No, thankfully we have all been pretty healthy this past year.

11. What was the best thing you bought? We said goodbye to my beloved Jetta and got another Volvo.

12. Where did most of your money go? House mortgage, daycare/school tuition.

13. What did you get really excited about? Wickiup, HTC.

14. What song will always remind you of 2013? Gosh, any Jason Aldean song.  The kids and I were pretty obsessed.

15. Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder? Same

– thinner or fatter? Same.

– richer or poorer? Richer, but with more expenses.

16. What do you wish you’d done more of? Weight lifting, date nights with B, more fun stuff with the kids, being more organized, more yard work.


17. What do you wish you’d done less of? Worry/stressing, less family drama!


18. How did you spend Christmas? With both of our families.

19. What was your favorite TV program? B and I are currently in season 2 of Breaking Bad and we love it.

20. What were your favorite books of the year? I didn't read nearly as much as I usually do this year.  My favorite was probably At First Sight by Nicholas Sparks

21. What was your favorite music from this year? Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan. I re-discovered a love for country music this year.

22. What were your favorite films of the year? Is it sad that I can't even think of any?  The only one that comes to mind is This is 40...best movie.  And I'm not even sure if I went to see that in 2013...it may have been 2012.

23. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I don't think I did anything, this year.  I sadly can't remember.  I turned 33.

24. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Having my mom here, as always.

25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2013? I don't have any sort of "concept," but I wore a lot of skinny jeans, leggings, boots, and flats. 
26. What kept you sane? God.  My kids, even though they were the source of my insanity at times.  I love those two, they make life worth living. And B, he is my home base.

27. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013: I've just realized how easy a family can fall apart with the heart of it gone...my mom.  I hope and pray the pieces can be put back together.