(Bill Watterson is a genius. Is there anyone alive on the face of the earth who does not love his work?)

SO.

I am a big fan of resolutions. Making resolutions is like making lists to me, and boy do I love making lists! Checking those things off my to-do list! Wooo! I've never been particularly good at accomplishing my resolutions, but that is probably because I have never broken my resolutions down to daily or weekly to-do lists to keep me motivated and keep me going.

Enter 2011. This is the year! (yes, I say that every year).

I have wanted to do a really good budget for a long time. I've done it! I've made a budget! It's all ready for being adhered to.

I have wanted to lose these 25 pounds that crept up on me. (giant sized candy bar by giant sized candy bar. You'd think I was trying to die of a heart attack). Well, I've got 2 friends committed to train for a 1/2 marathon in June! Woo! I'm sure I can do it - I just have to train really carefully and not jack up my knee again.

We're starting with the Couch-to-5K program for the first 8 weeks; and then a "beginners" training program that is 12 weeks long for the 1/2 marathon. Starting Monday! I'm excited!

Happy New Years to you all - may 2011 be the best year you have had so far!

Sigh; Christmas is over and now the New Year is almost upon us. I'm sure I'll make resolutions, like I do every year. And like every year, this will be the year I actually accomplish them. Mm-hmm. For sure.

The boys all got bikes this year - we were appropriately ashamed that our 10 year old did not know how to ride a bike. Apartment living had ruined his youth. I was all prepared for a morning of gritted teeth and frustration as I helped him figure it out. On top of that we got him a BMX bike, which rides differently (read: more awkwardly). I knew I was in for it. As we headed outside I repeated a mantra to myself of calm and patience.

And then he hiked himself up onto the seat, kicked off, and rode the bike.

Without any help.

I was a little bit ashamed of myself, and my lack of faith in a kid who can ride a scooter and a two-wheeled skateboard without any problems. While he went in to change from slippers to sneakers, I hopped on the bike and tried it out.

And I almost fell over. More than once.

These pictures are taken from my phone, sorry for the blur:

It's all one house.

They've been decorating since 1987.

I'll tell you one thing about Burbank; they do Christmas lights like I have never seen!

It kind of makes up for the lack of snow. Christmas Cheer!

We got our Christmas Cheer on.

Advent calendar made by my Nana:

Stockings made by her, too.

Yummy smells in the house and on the door.

Merry Christmas!

The Christmas festivities are fully underway in our household this season and our kids are having a blast. They helped us plan our 12 Days of Christmas venture for this year (for those of you who don't know, a knock-and-run daily gift that goes from the 13th to the 24th, usually treats and small gifts) while making gingerbread houses last night.

Connor discovered his ability to make icicles by accident.

Fletcher's icing was thicker, and not icicle-tastic but he was happy to have the gummy characters in front. Mmmm, appetizing!

Our decorations are up and there are already a few gifts under the tree. We've been reading scriptures from the New Testament every night to try and keep the focus where it should be.

I do wish the weather would be, if not snowy, at least SEASONAL! Looking to be 85 degrees today! Autumn is going out with a flourish, I guess.

So, we got a new bed....

HAHAHA! No, not that one! It's crazy, no? (found here) For several months Craig has been waking up kindof sore and achy and in the midst of reconciling himself to the idea of buying a new mattress (ours was 12 years old...) he ended up sleeping at a Marriott hotel in San Diego and declared that no other mattress would do for him!

However I could not reconcile myself to paying $1300 PLUS shipping from across the country to get a Marriott mattress. Happily, Costco carries a line that is similar (as far as I could tell - I'm sure Marriott would disagree) and it was on sale for nearly a third of the price (shipping included!)

My short story is getting long, and it's not even very interesting...

I ended up giving him his Christmas present early because he needs a good night's sleep, that man! Threw in some super-high thread count sheets, a down comforter and pillow, and Craig was all set for the best night's sleep ever last night.

Enter youngest son. Enter mild fever. Enter not sleeping in his own bed, and tossing and turning all night sniffling and coughing.

Yeah. You get the picture. Poor boys!

Late posting much? Yeah, that's me. Hi. How have you been?

Thanksgiving was wonderful! Our dear friends came down from Seattle for a week and we had two other families over and there was way WAY too much food (and yet, insufficient pie leftovers...)

The menfolk did almost all of the cooking this year, as it turns out. Nan and I were not complaining!

Now that Craig has a tophat, he feels he must wear it upon occasion. It gives the moment that little extra something.

The big kids. Con and Elle have been friends since the dawn of time. Everyone jokes that they will get married some day. And my dapper little blonde man. He is suddenly growing so big!