New year, new happenings

Wow, 2009

I remember back in late elementary thinking that the year 2000 just seemed too futuristic to ever really seem real. And now, here we are in 2009. It still seems too futuristic to be real. Interestingly, bringing in the year 2000 and this new year were drastically different. Probably a very good thing, although I hate to admit that I went to bed at 11 PM.

And with a new year there are always new year resolutions, right? I never was one to have resolutions; most likely because I didn't want to set myself up for defeat knowing that I could never meet them. However, maybe it is all of the changes during the past year but I decided to set some goals. (Of course, goals are different than resolutions. Don't ask me how ... just work with me here.) I set some family goals, personal goals, and general learning goals for the kids. Here is a sampling:

1. [Personal] Become a blogger
2. [Personal] Try "bimonthly baking"
3. [Family] Make healthier eating decisions
4. [E.] Learn to tie shoes
5. [S.] Learn colors and numbers
   

#1 -- check. So far so good. Now, just check back in with us in December!

Christmas madness

Tyler and I decided to celebrate the holiday at home with the kids this year. This was the very first Christmas we have spent at home since we have been married! The overwhelming positive aspect was that it was really great to have devoted time as a family. We spent both Christmas Eve and Day together at home. The negative aspect was slamming visits to three families across Ohio and Kentucky in 4 days. We drove 1200 miles /20+ hours with three kids and a dog ... I think we may have been nuts. Here are some photo highlights!

E., P., and S. on Christmas morning.S. (18 months old)E. (5 years old)E. opening his new scooter.P. (3.5 weeks old) and I; she had some help opening her gifts. =)An amazing feat: all of the great-grandchildren of Tyler's maternal grandparents sitting still for a picture AND facing the cameras! The newborn on the right is my sister-in-law's little girl.The three newborns (with mommies) on my dad's side of the family—P. and I, Jen (Jason's wife) and G., and Earlene (Andy's wife) and M.My mom with E. and my nephew C. (Tracey's son).E. opening a gift at my mom and dad's house. Yes! A Batman cave!Opening gifts is hard work—S. decided to take a break.S. immediately started getting use out of her new potty ... once she was convinced it wasn't a hat, of course!Papa Sparks with P. and E.