My goals for 2011...

I am looking forward to the new year and all it will bring, some of which is happening early (this week) but that just gets me a jump start...here is my goal list in no particular order.

1.  Get a business license and take on additional work.  YAY!!!

2.  For Ethan to start preschool.

3.  Have my foot healed completely, be able to wear any other type of shoe than athletic shoes, and be able to get back to Zumba.

4.  Complete my 6-months of Coumadin and take off my medic alert bracelet...March 28, 2011 will be a fantastic day!!!

5.  Working my butt off (literally).  Jeff and I will celebrate our 15 year anniversary in 12 months and 21 days and we both want to look and feel spectacular.  I will be enlisting my exercise buddy, Amy, (unbeknown to her until she reads this) to help keep me moving towards this goal.

6.  Run a couple of 5k races, with anyone willing to join me. And to run/walk/fall/slip n' slide through the Warrior Dash.

7.  Schedule some just me time (massages, pedicures, finishing at least one of the three books that I have been trying to read for the last 6 months).

8.  Camping.  

9.  Make it to the beach, either for the day or the weekend (maybe camping), it has been quite a while since we have been.

10.  Continue with my eating at home menu...I could use more recipes if anyone has some to share.

I wish everyone a wonderful and successful Happy New Year!!! 

Christmas 2010

We had a wonderful relaxing Christmas at our house this year.  We started Christmas Eve off with our tradition of tacos and then making and decorating sugar cookies for Santa. 

Ethan then got to open his Christmas PJ's.

Christmas morning Ethan was overwhelmed with excitement...he came out of his room very quietly and soon yelled, Santa brought us presents!  I was on the couch waiting for him to wake up and told him to go tell Daddy that Santa brought us presents.  Ethan ran upstairs, turned every light on (Daddy was still sleeping) and jumped on Daddy while yelling at him that Santa had brought us presents.  Then the fun began, which most of it is on video so I will have to do some editing and post videos later.  

Santa left a few crumbs of cookie so Ethan had to hurry and gobble them up while waiting for Daddy to come downstairs.

This is quite a bit of what Ethan received.  His favorites are his Leapster2, his keyboard and Mr. Potato Head.

Jeff's favorite was the brownie pan my parents gave him.  

He started making up the brownie mix as soon as he opened the gift.

And Ethan and Jeff bought me this necklace.

Jeff's parents and sister, Lori, arrived by airplane at 11:30 on Christmas morning.  We waited to open gifts from them until they arrived.  Ethan received a large box of Lego's and Jeff and I received two remote control helicopter's, money for food storage and a gift card and money for a date night later this week while they babysit Ethan. We are happy to have them here celebrating with us this year and will ring in the New Year with them as well before they have to return home. 

Playing in the snow...

Ethan has his last swim lesson this morning so afterward we decided to head up to Mt. Hood to play in the snow.  We had a great time and Ethan loved every minute. 

 Snow Angel.

 Snowball fight!

 

It completely wore him out and he was asleep before we left the parking lot. 

Ceramicafe...revealed

Ethan was very excited to pick up his Reindeer plate for Santa's cookies today, he wanted to make some cookies to put on there right now, however, that will have to wait until next week as I am sure Santa doesn't want stale cookies or he just might not leave any presents.

Santa visit

Ethan and Hunter went to see Santa this afternoon.  He is the nicest Santa and is so cute with the boys.  Hunter was very brave this year and didn't cry...Amy and I were both so happy and proud of him.  And Ethan has such a cute smile and was so excited to see Santa and to get his candy cane.  He told Santa that he wanted a video game. 

Ceramicafe

This morning we had a playdate with Hunter/Amy & Peyton/Nicole and the little boys exchanged Christmas gifts.  I has been so long since all three of them were together and they always have a fun time playing.  It is also fun to chat with the girls while they play.  We later headed to Ceramicafe and Ethan painted his first ceramic item, I was hoping for an ornament or a mug but he wanted the reindeer plate for Santa's cookies (It will be done on Friday and I will post the picture of it then).

 He always has his tongue sticking out while he is concentrating...just like Mommy.

 Hunter and Amy painting a mug.

Peyton and Nicole painting a mug.

For the little boys gift exchange he gave Peyton and Hunter both the CandyLand game (Santa is bringing him one also) and he received Lego's and candy from Peyton and a Woody cocoa mug from Hunter.

Daddy helped Ethan put together the "bump truck" and then he improvized adding some helicopter parts from this other Lego set to help the bump truck fly.

He was totally loving the hot cocoa from Hunter as well, especially the marshmallows.

Tree scouting...

This weekend my parents have been here visiting so we made the most of the long weekend visit and attended the Christmas Bazaar at the Portland Expo Center on Friday, then took them to see Ethan's swim lesson on Saturday morning and then took them for our annual tradition of picking our Christmas tree that afternoon.  We decided to check out a new tree farm this year and went to Mt. Hood Tree Farm in Clackamas.  They had a good selection and we always have a fun time, even if it is windy.

 Jeff and my dad playing xbox shoot 'em up games while mom and I made dinner.

 Jeff relaxing with the puppies after the tree was finally in place.

 Ethan is a great helper decorating the tree.

Such a poser!!

We then took my parents out for breakfast at Tippy Canoe this morning 

to celebrate their 35 year anniversary!!

Welcome Christmas Season!!

This is my favorite time of the year...the lights, the smells, the food, the company...I love it all.  Our Christmas cards have been mailed so if you didn't receive one then we don't have your address, feel free to leave your address in the comments or email it to me and we will make sure you get one next year.  Here is a copy of our card and letter for this year (click on the images to enlarge).  We wish you all a wonderful Christmas Season!!