New Years and Resolutions!

HaPpY NeW YeAr! We had so much fun on New Year's Eve with great friends and great food. Throw in some illegal fireworks and you've got a great party! We won't mention how the fireworks almost killed the girls watching their BOYS have a great time blowing things up! Hahaha. It's the First Monday of the new year and you know what that means...FHE Family goal setting session. Every New year our little family takes the opportunity to set family goals. We write them down and put them up so we can remember them throughout the year. The goals range from vacations that we want to take, to helping individuals accomplish things that are important to them. We already started a family goal to read the scriptures every night NO MATTER WHAT. Even if we are on vacation, even if it's way past our bedtimes and we are so tired. We have been doing it for about 6 weeks and it has been awesome.

I wanted to list 10 things that are MY goals for the year...

#1. The Exercies goal- Exercise 6 x's per week. EVEN ON SATURDAYS!

#2. Build up my food storage

#3. With Clark (finally) finish all the projects around the house. The list is long

#4. Grow a garden

#5. Have pictures of family printed and put in books- doesn't need to be fancy!

#6. Try one new recipe a week

#7. Learn a new skill-(like sewing

#8. Be more organized- computer room, my closet, etc.

#9. Take time to enjoy my kids-especially the older ones! Take them on dates.

#10. Get away with Clark---ALONE

oh and one more which is pretty darn important...

**Work on developing my relationship with Christ!**

Sun Valley in the WINTER

After Christmas we went to Sun Valley to experience the place in winter. Because it is in fact a ski resort as well as a great place to visit in the summer. It was also Nicholas' birthday on the 29th and we wanted to do something fun for his birthday. Our visit consisted of Room service, swimming in the outdoor pool, Tubing at Dollar Mountain, Room Service, Swiiming, Eating, lots of Hot Chocolate and eating some more! It was really fun. Nicholas got a new Ski outfit for his Birthday and got to Swim three time on his birthday so he was a happy kid. Charlie got bundled up too many times to count and he looked so cute with his chubby dimpled cheeks sticking out. Everyone was in love with him!

Christmas

Santa came to our house, even though there were some major doubts as to His existence. These murmurings and suspicions were kept inside and not spoken aloud because the consequences of doubting Santa out loud meant a terrible repercussion...he wouldn't come! No fooling! So even though it wasn't spoken of, some of the magic was missing. There was no watching the Santa tracker from NORAD, and there wasn't the hurry to bed before Santa catches us frenzy. There was no mention of setting out cookies, and the usual letter that Santa leaves threatening, I mean encouraging, the boys to be good the upcoming year wasn't left for the boys to find Christmas morning. Sad. The bright side is that we can start anew with Charlie so at least there is that to look forward to. Christmas Eve is my favorite part of Christmas. We have an annual family Christmas party at my parents house. My sisters and brothers come if they can and we have a fantastic program! At least I think it is fantastic. I think it is something that Clark has really had to get used to. It is what Christmas is all about to me and when it has to change I don't know what I'll do! My nieces play Christmas music expertly on their violins and my sister and her girls sing and play beautiful music on the piano. My brother-in-law recites the funniest poems that I've heard every Christmas Eve since I was 4 years old! It is at these times when everyone is regaling us with their talents that I realize I pretty much suck and that I haven't taught my boys any better. So, Nicholas memorized part of the Grinch stole Christmas and recited that. It was great that he represented our family! Then the part of the night that everyone looks forward to every year...The Money game. That is what we call it. My mom wraps about 25 gifts with funny things, like dollar store games and giant candy bars. We read the night before Christmas and pass the gifts around about a million times. The object is to try to get the big prize. You see, she has money hidden in these silly gifts and there is sometimes a 20 dollar bill to be found! There are also several ones and a couple of fives. This year I got the mother load! Ah it was great! Christmas day was fun also. The boys got way too much as usual. I always think that they are going to have a modest Christmas and worry that I didn't really get them anything. Then when it is all brought out from hiding, it just keeps coming and treasures are found that you have forgotten about and by the end you have this embarrassing load of presents. Not only are they under the tree but they are extending far out in every direction! But of course I will not let that happen next year and either will any of you...ya right!