goals for 2011

At the start of every year the only goal I ever make is to eat better and to lose weight. This year I have decided that I really do need to set some goals. Quite a few people I know choose a word for the year. I've never done this but I think I really need a word this year too. As I was writing down my list of goals for 2011, I found a reoccurring theme. So, it seems that my word for the new year is to be productive, which sounds better than stop being lazy! So, here are my goals for 2011!

1. Get better at budgeting our money.
2. Eat healthier or better yet...stay away from sugar.
3. Organize the entire house.
4. Teach Konnor to read and write.
5. Visit my family and talk to them more often during the year.
6. Go on a vacation with my boys.
7. Watch less t.v. and spend more time outdoors with the boys.
8. Make time for date nights with Will.
9. Start and actually finish Project 365.
10. Focus on fixing my back. I can live with some pain but I really want the chronic pain to go away.
11. Be more creative. Actually finish some projects for myself.
12. Get Konnor weened off his blankie.
13. Pay off a few credit cards.

This list could definitely go on but then I don't want to feel overwhelmed. Looking at this list is actually making me excited for the new year to begin.  I'm ready to be more productive!

what a goober...

Since today has turned out to be such a nice day (even though it's freezing), Konnor and I decided to go enjoy it by playing outside for a bit. Konnor rode his bike around, we drew pictures with our 3D chalk and I took some pictures as well. I tried to get a few good ones of Konnor but he decided to act a little silly so I got these ones instead. I love them because they show off Konnor's crazy personality.

Speaking of Konnor, oh my goodness, in the last month or so he has come up with a favorite word and boy is it annoying! Seriously, this word probably comes out of Konnor's mouth at least 100 times a day. His word for the month is "why." Will and I are praying this doesn't last long because it's driving  us crazy. Lately, this is a typical conversation with Konnor:

Konnor: "mom, what are you doing?"

Mom: "coloring a picture."

Konnor: "why?"

Mom: "because you asked me to color."

Konnor: "why?"

Mom: "i don't know, because you don't want to color by yourself?"

Konnor: "why?"

Mom: "i don't know why, you tell me!"

Konnor: "why?"

Okay, I can seriously go on and on and on. I am not joking about this. If I don't stop the conversation, he'll just keep on going with the whys. It's driving me crazy!

Okay, enough of the whys, here are a few pictures of Konnor.

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christmas day!

merry christmas eve!

I hope everyone is having a fine Christmas Eve! We decided to decorate a gingerbread house today. This was Konnor's first time decorating a gingerbread house and he had a ton of fun. I also have to say that I think he did a fine job decorating as well. This might be the start of a Christmas Eve tradition.

just because he's so cute

santa

Will and I took Konnor to see Santa today. He did so well. He told Santa exactly what he wanted for Christmas and he was totally content on sitting on Santa's lap for as long as he could.

goodbye

This morning we had to say goodbye to Will's mom, sister, and brother. Konnor was super sad that they had to go home. He had a blast while they were here visiting. I had to get at least one snapshot of all of them before they left. Aren't they all so cute? I absolutely love my in-laws and am so blessed to have them in my life.

the lights of christmas

We went down to Stanwood tonight to check out The Lights of Christmas at Warm Beach Camp. Will and I have known about this place for a few years now but this year was the first time we were able to go. The lighting displays are amazing and there are lots of things to do and see. However, it was SO COLD. We didn't last very long because of how cold it was but Konnor had a good time. He even got to ride a pony for the first time. He absolutely loved the pony ride. I didn't take many photos because I was busy trying to keep warm but here are some of the ones that I took.

a quickie

Sorry about the lack of posts lately but it's been super busy this past week. We have the in-laws visiting so needless to say, I'm usually pretty beat at the end of the day so I haven't been up to blogging. Hopefully, next week, I will be back to my regular posts.

In the meantime, here is a quick photo of Konnor and his friends Chris and Anna. It was taken a few weeks ago at Chris' 5th birthday party. As you can tell, it was a soldier themed party. I just love this photo, mainly because of the look on Anna's face. Priceless.

One more thing, if you can send good thoughts to my dad. He had knee surgery today. The surgery went well (thank goodness). However, we are also hoping for a quick and pain free recovery. I am headed down to the hospital tomorrow to check on him. Thank goodness for the in-laws (they're going to watch Konnor).

decorating cookies

Konnor, Aunt Sarah, and I decorated sugar cookies tonight. Konnor helped cut out the shapes and then was a super helper by decorating the cookies afterwards. His favorite part though, was eating the cookies and licking as much frosting and sprinkles that he could get his hands on. 

rollerskating

Aunt Sarah, Konnor, and I decided to go rollerskating today. We headed to the skagit skate rink down in Burlington and we had a really good time. It had seriously been about 15 years since I've been rollerskating so I was a little nervous to get out there but thankfully I did pretty well. I didn't fall once which is a miracle because I was holding Konnor's hand most of the time and he was on the verge of falling countless times. Today was Konnor's first time rollerskating so I wasn't too sure how he'd handle it but surprisingly, he did really well. Konnor had a few crying spells the few times he fell. I probably would have cried too (each time he landed right on his tail bone). After I calmed him down though and showed him that all the other kids were falling down too he was ready to get up and try again. This is definitely something we're going to have to do again and soon. Konnor had a great time and he especially loved the Christmas tree that they had in the center of the rink. Maybe inline skating or indoor hockey is in Konnor's future?

Konnor holding our hands while skating.

Aunt Sarah trying to teach Konnor to skate.

I'm not sure what is going on here. I think Konnor just decided to lay down and Aunt Sarah thought it would be funny to skate over him.

Aunt Sarah and Konnor took a break to play a game.

Konnor back on the rink and skating all by himself (with the help of the ledge).

When we were done, Konnor got two prizes for doing such an awesome job.

konnor rollerskating

happy birthday nana!

holiday express

We headed down to Everett today to enjoy a free holiday express train ride for service members and their families. It was a 90 minute (but actually lasted about an hour longer than that) train ride with snacks, drinks, a holiday ornament, and the chance to meet Santa. Konnor had a blast. Will, on the other hand, almost lost it a the end because it took them so long to get everyone off the train. He said he felt like he was on a super long flight and was stuck on the plane. Besides the last hour, we had a great time and it was a great experience for Konnor.

a good morning

Konnor and I had a wonderful morning today. We met up with daddy and had lunch with him at his work. However, since the sun was out, we decided to stop at the park first. Here are some snapshots of Konnor when we were at the park.

field trip

Konnor's preschool went on a field trip to the food co-op today.

Here we are walking to our destination.

We started out in the produce section.

Then we headed into the backroom and this man showed the kids how the cardboard compactor works. The kids thought it was really cool. They kept wanting him to add more cardboard.

The kids also got to go into the cooler where they stock milk, eggs and such.

Our guide stayed in the cooler and the kids went around the outside to peek at her through the glass.

Then they checked out the deli. Konnor was completely fascinated with all cakes.

They also went to the bulk section and our guide scooped out some cinnamon and let the kids smell it and guess what it was.

Then the kids had a snack (apples and crackers). They also got a sticker which they all loved.

Konnor enjoying his apple.

Then we headed back to school. Overall, I was impressed with how well behaved these 3 year olds were. Looking forward to our next field trip.