resolutions.

I should've mentioned my resolutions. I have just one this time. I quit my gym membership because I was only using it once a week for yoga. Waste of money, and I was tired of the guilt that I wasn't keeping up with cardio. I really miss yoga. BUT. I started running outside. Its so nice to be able to wake up and go for a run where I feel free, on the pavement. No wonder I hated cardio so much, the treadmill is awful. Plain excruciatingly boring.

I have bad lungs so I thought I could never be able to be an outside runner. But I am taking baby steps and today was a breakthrough. I didn't want to check my time every two seconds. And I actually sort of liked it.

Steam (stress) comes out my ears.

The cool, crisp air feels incredible.

The sun shining on my face makes me happy.

I love blasting my ipod and not hearing myself breathe.

The street just after a rain feels clean and fresh.

Negativity leaves, positivity takes over.

My head becomes so clear.

I come home feeling refreshed, strong, and ready to start the day.

I want to be a better mom/wife/person.

I so need this right now. I think this time I will keep a resolution. (please don't mention summer...)

p.s. I have no idea how many miles or even if I've been running a single mile at all, ha. I made a goal to start with 15 minutes of straight running. Remember, baby steps. Today I went past 20 without stopping. This is big for me. I really want to stick with it.

And I've been able to continue yoga at home. All by myself, when no one is here. Peaceful.

new years eve.

New Years Eve inspired many firsts:

First time letting our kids stay up till midnite. Note the tired eyes. (brayden was thrilled when I told him it was NYE and proclaimed it as his 2nd favorite holiday, I caved).

Kosty's first time ever playing a video game. And he liked it. I was sad.

First time playing card games as a family. We can do that now. Well, Kosty not quite.

Jer's first time ever eating a crepe.

First and only people in our whole neighborhood that chose to make any sort of noise. Sheesh.

Growing up, we never acted out the Nativity...I never knew I was so abnormal. Apparently everyone else does. I decided we should step out of our comfort zones when our ward Christmas party required us to dress up like people of Bethlehem and watch a little rendition of the Nativity. I'm glad we did. Kosty was dressed up about 5 seconds before the picture.

christmas day

Christmas morning started out with Brayden waking up at midnight and saw that Santa had already put his (wrapped) gifts under the tree... So yes, at midnight he was ready to open gifts. Jer explained to him that he had only been asleep for 3 hours and that it was still nighttime. He started balling and cried himself back to sleep...oh how horrible to have to go back to sleep after he saw all the presents under the tree.

Then he woke up at 5 am and so the unwrapping began. The only thing Brayden really wanted this year was a Wii. We let Santa know that he could bring it only if we sold our XBox. Luckily that was accomplished and so Santa knew it was ok to bring one ;) I just love this picture of him opening it, it doesn't get much better than that face!!

Kosty wanted a Batman house most of all and Santa delivered.

After we opened our gifts and played for a bit, we went over to Grandma's and ate her yummy breakfast and opened more gifts. Oh, and found out these two had gotten engaged the night before. Wedding in March!

Kosty loved blasting everyone with his Web slinger!

Brayden REALLY wanted Uncle Chase to spend the night on Christmas night. The next day we had crepes, bacon, and orange juice, then played a whole lot of the Wii, built legos, and played games.

Jer really loves his keyboard and practices as much as he can. He's always wished he could play the piano, so I'm happy he's learning. Kosty fell in love with this girly book series when his teacher read "Purpleicious" at school. He is now the proud owner of Pinkalicious and he got Goldilicious for Christmas.....its pretty funny.

{Now....can anyone tell me why on earth most of my words are underlined!??? its driving me absolutely crazy and I can't get it to stop!}

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was busy but we decided to mix it up this year and do both our mom and dad's houses on that day, so that Christmas Day would be more relaxed and less loading in the car and making visits. We had a lovely brunch at my Mom's house in the morning, opened a few gifts, played some games, and gave Chase a haircut. Oh, and Justin surprised us all with a fresh haircut of his own. (Those of you that know my brother Justin, know his hair was waaay longer than mine).

Then we headed to my Dad's house....Erika, Stefanie, Me, and Brittney.

All the boys. Justin always has a guitar in his hands it seems...

We've convinced my Dad the last couple years to fore go the usual turkey dinner and he treats us to his famous Philly Cheesesteak sandwiches instead. They are SO. GOOD.

Great Nana and Nana

Then we came home and sprinkled reindeer food on the grass, baked cookies for Santa, and read some Christmas books. We were supposed to drive around and look at lights but BOTH boys begged to just go to bed! It was cracking me up how serious they were about going to bed. They did not want to miss Santa. We snuck in a picture of the tree right after Santa came.

preschool party

Kosty had a Christmas preschool party and they sang a few songs, decorated gingerbread houses, and got a visit from Santa Claus. I was so proud of Kosty because he wasn't hesitant at all to sit with Santa, and even sat with him a second time!

temple lights

Ahhh, finally a new post. I have so much catching up to do. We went to Pizza Mart for the first time ever right before the Temple lights and I kept saying, "you knew about this place and never told me?!" Its a cute and totally old school pizza place with arcade games, soft serve ice cream, and $5 large pizzas. I loved it. And the Temple was lovely as always.