Hello 2012!

I had intended on writing one of those fancy posts that so many bloggers do, featuring highlights from the year, but as I sat down to read about what we did or what I created this past year, I couldn't pick favorites to feature.  Each post is really special in its very own way.   I had forgotten so many things that happened this year {like one year ago today our pipes were frozen when we woke up!  Today it was 81 degrees...crazy huh?!} and it made me set one goal for this blog - 

 GET IT PRINTED!     

I am going to print it off by the year so that the kids and I will be able to look through all of our memories on paper, not just the internet!  That would be a total of four books I need to make this year!  Any suggestions on going about this or easy programs to use, please let me know!  

A few more goals that I would like to achieve this year:

~remember everyone's birthday and get a card in the mail the week prior.  Ask my mother if I will be able to do this and she will tell you, "Ain't gonna happen!" and she is probably right.  But I swear I have good intentions and a project that I have in mind to keep me on track.  Maybe my focus should be on completing the project to remember everyone's birthdays first?!  

~finish my creative space.  This is the biggest work in progress ever and one I will probably always be adding to, but there are quite a few things that I would like to get finished in there to make it more organized and pretty!

~collage of frames/mirrors in Lola's room.  Also, hang the yarn balls that my Aunt Heidi made for my cousin Hannah's wedding reception, along with create and hang quite a few other things I have pinned in her room.

~finish the record room for Chad.  By doing this, it will return the game room to just that, the game room/playroom.

~laugh a lot more with my kids and take time to really just be with them in the moment.  {This started today watching the Justin Beiber movie, then splashing around in the pool, then 4 wheeling, then lunch, then park, then more 4 wheeling, then snuggled up in bed watching Big Foot eating ice cream sundaes - it was a perfect day!  No pictures {I really need a smaller camera to carry around}, though I have a million in my head.  Just being there and being with each other.

~date night once a month.  I am lucky enough to have wonderful babysitters that love my kids and would jump at the chance to watch them {plus, I pay really good}!  Even if it is a quick bite to eat with just the hubs I am going to cherish that alone time.

~go to the dentist.  It has been awhile.

~lose 20 pounds by summer.  Who doesn't want to look good by then?

Whew!  I am ready and hoping that because I put myself on blast with some of them, I will hold myself more accountable {I already know that the whole birthday thing is thrown out the window though, because tomorrow is Candis' birthday and no card is in the mail...ugggghhhhh}.

Just like last year, we spent the evening at the Casillas' house ringing in the new year!  Good food {lots of it was from our supper club recipe files} good games and good friends, it was a wonderful way to spend the last day of 2011 {although I wish I felt better, my stomach felt the worst it has since the surgery}.  We left about 20 minutes until midnight, Lola crashed almost as soon as I buckled her in her seat, but Kyan made it until 12!  He was so excited and kept thanking us for letting him stay up so late!  We watched the countdown at home on the couch, Lola asleep in my arms.  Kissed and cheers each other to a new year when Lady Gaga dropped the ball.  It was perfect.

We had a wonderful 2011 and look forward to 2012 and all that it may bring!