NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS - 2012
I like to start each year with some goals. Last year among some other goals I vowed to run 1,000 miles. I'm happy to say that I completed that goal during Thanksgiving week. I ended up running just over 1100 miles by years end.
This year my 2012 goals are:
to run 1,000 miles,
do 25,000 sit ups and
become a spin instructor .
These are my physical goals that I am willing to share. I have many other goals that I keep track of on a daily basis that are personal. I encourage each of you to make goals, post them and track them DAILY. Otherwise 2013 will come and you'll still be doing the same things.


FINISHING UP THE YEAR


New Years Eve was spent playing Minute to Win It and blowing stuff up. While the boys were taping numerous fireworks together for a big bang we girls had our own fun with sparklers. We didn't plan this which is why we look so great. I'm in Talon's cowboy boots, Tina's jeans are rolled up to her thighs, Sherri's in her jammies and Annie looks great as usual.

Tina in a precarious pose trying to grab a paper bag just inches from the ground with only her feet touching the floor and her mouth on the bag.

Will - unsuccessful in his attempt to restack 3 full and 3 empty cans from hand to hand

Talon - also unsuccessful

Annie- blowing cards off a pizza pan so that only 4 kings were left touching it. Success!

Mom -stacking 3 freestanding golf balls

Pure focus

Trekking through Zions on a beautiful winter day in the dessert. Eli and B got down to their skivvies in an attempt to jump in the frigid Virgin River. E didn't make it past his toes, but B got in up to his waist. He's crazy!

Nana reading with some of the grandkids.

Smores at nana's house.

OASIS OF THE SEAS
OCT. 2011


Will spent a lot of his time on the flo-rider, an on board surfing/boogie boarding ride. The last night on board our group rented out the flo-rider for 2 1/2 hours of private riding. It was awesome.

Yes - I went snorkeling with sharks. Yes, I was the last one in and the first one out.

Look at the focus. Overall we had a great time. It was fun to meet some great friends and to get a little time alone together.

NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 2011

3 of my sisters, 3 brothers in law, 5 neices and 1 dog came and stayed at our house over Christmas break. It was wonderful. No one even threw up! We missed Amber and her family though.

We spent an afternoon relaxing at the Washington Rec Center's indoor water park. Mila loved it.

So did Evangeline (for a little while anyway)

My sis Tina. Aint she perty! Mother of 3 looking totally fab.

She didn't make it quite as long as the other cousins. It's tiring holding those cheeks up all day.

The Moreno's. We miss you already.

Aunt Sherri and Money Penny. Somehow I didn't get any pics of Brett, Talon or Addy :(

Nana played fun games with the kiddies on Christmas Eve. There's Addy back in the crner.

Brinly was in the 3rd grade Christmas play and was very please she was chosen for a speaking part. She is standing just to the right of the Christmas tree with the red bottom of her dress and black top.

Payton is part of the 4th grade choir. They are really quite good.

They were invited to sing at the St. George LDS tabernacle. It was quite an honor.

I also had the privilege of playing my flute with them during their Christmas program.

We went to San Diego for Thanksgiving and spent it with the Plumbs. Here's Warren.

Josh who is now known as the brother of Jared. Becca had baby Jared just in time for us to see him before we left.

The kids had fun playing Just Dance or something like that on the wii. They are such white boyz

Brinly and Ashlyn decided to show them how it's done.

We had fun talking around the Thanksgiving dinner table until the topic turned ugly.

Apparently we hadn't started talking about why earrings are evil as of yet. Ahh, gotta love dinner with the Plumbs.

Bronson has found that he loves taking things apart. Here he is working on a toaster we got from the second hand store.

He's working on a tough part.

AMBITION AND CREATIVITY

Both things our country could use right now

My children have decided that they'd like some more of their own money. They know they have to work for it and that nothing comes for free as a handout. Hardwork, ingenuity and ambition is what made our country strong and will also teach my children many lessons. Payton and Brinly don't care for household jobs they can earn money for. Instead they decided to try and do something they love and still make some money. We will see if it pans out for them.

The kids named their business and created their own flyers. They agreed on a price to charge (which turned out to be the most difficult part of the process) Brinly wanted to charge $4 a day and Payton $12. They agreed on $8. They are currently out trying to sell their business. Hopefully someone will have pity on them and give them some work. If not, perhaps they can come up with another idea.

SNOW CANYON HALF MARATHON
13.1 MILES

TIME: 1 HOUR 44 MINUTES

That's me in the gray just before the running center sign. Coming in for the home stretch! It was freezing. The temperatures were in the 30's with 15 mile per hour winds. My ears were killing me when I was done.If you notice the time don't let that fool you. We wore chips on our shoes that recorded our time from the moment we crossed the starting line until the moment we finished. I ran with some girls who were literally last in line for the porta potties at the start. They were threatening to shut down the starting clock just before we crossed it. We started almost 12 minutes after the official time started.

Hooray! I made it. I felt so good when I finished. I beat my best time by almost 9 minutes. I was feeling quite proud when I found my family until Bronson opened his mouth. The first thing he asked is "Mom, did you come in first?" Oh well. Payton was at his basketball game, that's why he's missing. FYI: He won the free throw contest among all the fourth graders in his school. He won a medal and a basketball! WHOOT WHOOT

HALLOWEEN

IRON MAN ELI - Same as last year - boring but that's what he wanted and it saved me some $

Bronson couldn't decide so he was Wolverine ( same as last year) at his school parade and Raphael the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle when he went trick or treating. Brinly knew right away that she wanted to be a vampire.

Payton was also pretty sure of what he wanted to be. He is so into watching football this year it is really fun.

Isn't he cute?!

We always head over to Jimmy and Holly's house for their big Halloween bash after trick or treating. Eli was so into all of their pirate decorations this year. He just stood and looked at everything in awe. It was fun. Thanks guys!

A sacry skeleton that opens the treasure chest and pops out.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KARI

I have the best husband ever! He made us a wonderful roast beef dinner for my birthday and also a homemade carrot cake from scratch, including the cream cheese frosting. It was delicious. He also saved some money throughout the year and sent me on a shopping spree in Vegas. What a guy!
Nana and Grandpa Ray came for dinner and cake and we all had an enjoyable time.

#33

Birthday Hugs from B

It really ticks me off that my kids look so much like Will and hardly like me. HOWEVER, I really think Brinly and I are very similar in these 2 pictures. I don't know what we were doing that we both have the same faces, but I think she looks like my daughter. What do you think?

Like mother ... like daughter?

HEAVEN ON EARTH

Back in September, once the weather cooled, we took the kids to Zions for a day hike. We LOVE living here. We are so close to so many beautiful and wonderful places. We found this great trail where we could hike, play in the water and bring the dog with us. The weather ended up being in the 90's and we found this great beach spot where we parked ourselves for lunch and played in the water.

Look at the beauty surrounding us. How could you not be speechless? We love it here!

Sugar is getting bigger.

Most of the water was shallow but there were a few spots that were deep enough to jump into and swim. The kids and Will really enjoyed themselves in the water.

While I was sitting watching the kids playing and enjoying the fresh air I had such a wonderful moment. You know those moments in life when the spirit touches you and you feel the love of our Heavenly Father directly touching your life. It was such a peaceful wonderful feeling I actually just sat and cried for a few minutes. Life is so good. I am so blessed and thankful for my family and this beautiful place we live in.