"So what's your New Years resolution?"

Laughed out loud when I saw this:

(guess that makes me a nerd)

Have several resolutions I am mulling around. We'll see which ones will stick. :)

Very thankful for many lessons learned in 2009. I think I am a better person in several aspects of my life...but man do I have a lot of work to do in other regards. Have a whole lot to be grateful for. Healthy & happy kids. Shane's steady employment & a job he loves for the most part. Good examples all around me that push me to want to be a better person. My health & independence. Learning to be content. A fun new calling in the Primary.

I sure do love the beginning of a new year! (even if it means I am a year older and I seem to find a few more gray hairs)

Fresh start.

Treadmill here I come.

Bring on 2010!

Snow day

Just like that...it's over!

Such a fun month.

*I am a journaling blogger...so beware, lots of pics ahead.*

1. SF Festival of Lights 2. Grandma Carole's Christmas story 3. Lots of sugar!!

4. Lots of family 5. My favorite people 6. Kade convincing Kendal that Santa came 7. The coveted Lego set 8. Dressups 9. Asian Star fun with friends..fa ra ra ra ra.

1. FONDUE 2. Christmas morn hair 3. Is it time to open? 4. He is a huntin' fool 5. Too many toys 6. Day after Christmas shopping...thx Erika! 7. Dad setting up before work 8. Don't tell Shane...he really likes these 9. Such a good little mother.

1. New Christmas book that we all love 2. Our visit from Frye the Elf. See you next year! 3. Love these kids...need a pic of the body slam Kade gave his sis right after this was snapped. 4. Ugly Sweater party fun 5. Could it be? 6. Cousin gift exchange 7. Christmas Eve jammies with the cousins 8. Kendal's new baby 9. Christmas Eve food & friends

1. Cars track that rocked 2. Kade's new huntin' gear 3. Christmas morning omelets 4. Puppets are a hit 5. Dad leaving for work Christmas morn :( 6. Cold. Cold. BYU Bowl game 7. Christmas clothes..thanks G & G Munson 8. Kendal was a pro at opening everyone's presents 9. Naughty or Nice? Cute for sure!

Wordless Wednesday

Christmas Sweater winner...

My high school FBLA'in friend...Ms. Heidi!

Yes, she won fair and square...only 1 of her 4 entries were in the pot! ;)

heidiraftery said...

I am actually scheduled to read this book in my daughters class on the very day your contest ends! I haven't read it, but I have heard good things. Our favorite traditon is going to stay in a cabin with my husbands whole family. A little stressful getting there and there is ALWAYS drama before-hand, but we love it once we are there... This weekend!! yeah!

December 8, 2009 11:35 AM

A few traditions we are doing...

We started "The Elf on the Shelf" tradition this year and the kids have loved it. Kade named our elf Frye. Frye hides in a different spot every morning, after going each night to report to Santa on how the kids have been throughout the day. The kids are LOVING this...& we are too!

I also print out the Christmas shows list from the SL Trib and hang it on the fridge. We highlight the shows that we want to watch. I use it as a motivator for the kiddos to clean up, be nice etc. to get to watch the shows they are looking forward to.(yes, I am all about bribery) :)

I heard a good idea from a friend, that I would like to use as far as Christmas lists for the kids. Cute idea to keep things simple!

"Something you want, something you need, something you wear & something you read."

Heidi, email me your mailing address & I will get the book to you.

Thanks to all for sharing your traditions.

Merry Christmas!

Wordless Wed.

On my list...

Dear Shane,

I will make it easy on you this year. Since I know that you despise the mall (especially around the holidays) & I know you leave your shopping until the few days leading up to Christmas, I have compiled my Christmas list....just to make things simple ya know, take the pressure off a bit. You can thank me later!

Love,

Your favorite (& only) wife

Amanda

(who, by the way has been especially nice this year)

p.s. I don't really want Kelly Ripa...just those awesome toned arms.

If you run low on cash after booking our Hawaiian cruise (wink wink),

a new battery for my 7 yr old watch would suffice too. :)

Spreading the holiday cheer!

Because I was the lucky winner of this last week (I was really wanting that cute advent calendar :)) & because I love Christmas books I am paying it forward & giving away a copy of this:

I read "The Christmas Sweater" by Glenn Beck (the non-childrens' book last year)

and la-oved & recommend it.

It has such a great meaning! When I saw that they had an illustrated children's book out this year...I bought several copies. Although, it isn't exactly like the full-length book, I wanted my kids to catch a glimpse of what the true meaning of Christmas is. This book does that.

To be entered, leave a comment telling your favorite holiday tradition & if you put this on your blog, leave another comment to get another entry. Contest will end December 15th.

Hoping you are all enjoying the spirit of Christmas as much as I am!

For our newly installed alarm system.

Resting a lot easier when Shane is away,

especially after all that took place in the area a couple of weeks ago.

For parents (and Aunt Kathy & Amy) that went all out and made Thanksgiving SO SO good! I look forward to chicken soup and mashed potatoes every Thanksgiving, along with stuffing & currant jelly. You can't beat leftover pumpkin & coconut cream pie for breakfast either.

I saw how much work you did, while we simply showed up & ate.

Thank you! Thank you!

For a job in this economy. Although Shane was eating dry turkey at a hotel restaurant with his crew, I was reminded to be thankful for the #1 Captain around here and his job. There are a lot worse things in life than having to work on a holiday right? Dry turkey is one of those. :)

For 2 new sweet nieces that I got to snuggle on.

Might have eased a little of the baby hunger around here...at least for awhile.

(Didn't snap a pic of baby Kayla)

For the 1st annual family BuNCo game after dinner. Good times & fun prizes!

(My apologies to the Robinson family... Kendal found some scissors and cut up their 2005 Tax Return while we were in the midst of our game. Refer the IRS here if you are audited.)

For two sweet kids. They make my life crazy and complete!

Also, for older nieces & nephews that entertain,

share their toys, slumber party with, tolerate and help with the kiddos.

For the best traveling weather along with Lady & the Tramp.

Made my driving alone a synch.

For the BEST kind of Black Friday shopping...that would be done whilst I slept by a die-hard shopper friend that so kindly took my list. Thanks again!

For "CUTIE" season that is now upon us.

(I think I ate 1/2 bag myself while in Parowan & another 1/2 bag since yesterday.)

For the 2 dogs we have...and not a pet gecko. We have the chance to "pet sit" the neighbors gecko this week. The kids are loving it but I think feeding and taking care of 2 dogs is MUCH easier than feeding a gecko live crickets and mill worms. oooh!

For a rivalry game that turned in their favor.

Thankful that I DON'T have to hear for the next year (from the above mentioned #1 Captain)

"how" BYU blew it. :)

Blind Side

While the rest of the world (it seems) is looking forward to or saw the midnight showing of New Moon this weekend...I can't wait to see this. (I will probably see New Moon but not on the opening weekend, maybe I'll even wait til' it hits RedBox) Shane just finished reading The Blind Side and is waiting for me to finish before we go see it.

Who doesn't love a good inspirational sports flick? I guess me...one of the few who hasn't committed to "Team Edward" or "Team Jacob." :)