Thursday, January 24, 2013

Knob Hill

Last weekend we had an adventure.  We had been planning it and talking about it for a week before and Stryder was really unsure of the idea.
 But we loaded up and followed my brother-in-law's truck down a long dirt road out to Knob Hill.

 This smile pretty much sums up how he felt once we got out there.

 They ate a picnic lunch atop a rock and laughed at having to pee in bushes.

 Fears were overcome as mountains were climbed.  If only all of our fears could be overcome that easily and with that much joy.

 I'm so grateful for days like that, where we can enjoy each other as a family and experience something new.

Our original plans were to just do family pictures for this cute family, but then it morphed into an amazing adventurous day.  Stupidly, I didn't get any pictures of my kids on the four wheeler or dirt bike but it was AWESOME!!  Ben got to drive the four wheeler a few times and each of the kids got several rides from Uncle Justin, heck I even got a ride and it was a blast.  Thanks Lauren and Justin for a very memorable day!

Monday, January 7, 2013

Starting New

The kids are back in school.  The Christmas decorations are down.  January is in full swing.
With the new year comes new primary classes for the kids.  Shelby is in Senior Primary!  Soren is my lone Junior Primary kid.  It's so weird to think of my kids being so old and how quickly the time has passed and will continue to pass til the next milestones.  The new primary theme this year is "I am a child of God" and I'm so excited to help my kids, along with their primary leaders, better understand their divine roles.  Our family goal this year is to read the Book of Mormon together and hopefully finish it.  We have made attempts several times since our kids were born but have never stuck with it long enough.  This is one goal I am determined to succeed at!
I've decided to not set a weight loss goal for myself this year.  It's too much pressure and not happy thoughts I have of myself.  Each month I'm setting little goals to accomplish in hopes to find a better me at the end of the year.  These goals include everything...physical, spiritual, social, and emotional.  All ways I can better who I am and how I am.

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

A Perfect New Year's Eve

How we rang in the New Year...

Started with a blazing fire in the fireplace.  Have I mentioned how much I love having a wood burning fireplace?  It's AWESOME!!

 We played some Disney games, Headbandz and Cranium.

Before the fire died down we roasted marshmallows.

And made some yummy s'mores.

Later, we made the Brown family's traditional New Year's Eve food of stuffed mushrooms.

We watched some New Year's Eve shows on TV and did a little dancing Gangnam style.

Once it got closer to midnight, we headed outside and threw some poppers and lit some sparklers.


 The kids were sleepy and it was cold, we only stayed out for a little while.

 We came back inside and rang the New Year in with a countdown on TV, confetti and kisses.

Then I headed back out to get a couple pictures of the fireworks show.  26 fireworks that were shot off the Aria (I think) were dedicated to and had the names of the 26 victims of the Sandy Hook tragedy written on them.  We finished the night with a family prayer, praying for good things to come in 2013.  Overall, it was a great night and a great way to end 2012 and start 2013.