New Year....New beginning

This New Year was particularly wonderful.  We were able to celebrate with many of our friends in a way that seems appropriate for our family.  We started going to church a year ago (first Sunday in 2011), so it has been a year of church.  I've loved living the gospel and making so many new friends.  I also love the chance to recommit to things that are important to me. 

Here are my resolutions:

I need to have more patience, particularly with Hunter.  I am resolving to take a deep breath and count to 10 before I answer him when I am being tested.

I need to lose these 13 pounds.  I have 8 until pre-pregnancy and another 5 for good measure.  

I need to think about what I say before it comes out of my mouth.  Sounds funny, right? I am so tired that I often say things without really thinking about them.  Oops.  

I need to be a more helpful, loving wife.  I feel like I am always doing my chores, cooking and taking care of the kids but I want to help Brian more.  He does so much for us and he deserves more in return.

I need to read the scriptures more frequently.  I try to read them every day but it probably ends up being only 4-5 times a week.  I would like to read them daily.  I also need to incorporate more church stuff into our daily life.

I need to spend more one on one time with each kid.  Even just taking one of them on an errand with me would be enough to make him feel special, and Aspen is so good that I can leave her with daddy for a short time.

While working on becoming a better human being, I will share my adventures from the past few weeks.  First off, look how loving Hunter is.  He is an amazing big brother.  He just adores Aspen - from the day she was born he has been nothing but wonderful to her.

 And Landon likes to be "next to" Aspen.  He hits the pillow and says "next to!! next to!!! ASPEN!!!" Here he is on a very important call, and Aspen is happily sleeping "next to" him.

 Isn't she just gorgeous? I love when she is clean.  She has baby eczema so I only bathe her twice a week but I love a clean baby.  I love my stinky little girl too.  I just love this baby.

 She's voting for Romney.

 On New Year's eve we had 6 families over to celebrate East coast NYE.  We got noise makers and hats and had a blast.  Here I am with my bunch before the party started.

Hunter tested out the noisemakers

 And Landon had to do the same.

 Beautiful Aarika, loving on Aspen.

 The boys eating their delicious food.

 Doug, Johnathon and Brian were in a very important conversation

 Eric, Alex and Everett were not.

 The girls: Mackenzie, Adrienne, Aarika, Tamara and Kate

 Kieran looked so cute!

 The 3 boys - Kieran, Hamilton and Hunter.

 Tamara and Doug left their little guys at home - more hands to hold Ms. Aspen.

 Hunter and Gigi were discovered in Landon's bed!! Scandalous!

 So a bunch of the other kids joined them - Landon, Hunter, Gigi and Leila.

 Me and Brian partying

 Aarika and Everett

 Tamara and Doug

 Adrienne and Eric

 Mackenzie and Johnathon

Kate and Alex partying hard core (note the beer in their hands)

Hunter and Landon have become the best little friends.  They do pretty much everything together.  When I take Landon to the park without Hunter, he wanders around but when Hunter is there they play together on everything.  Even at home they have to play together!

 We went for a surrey bike ride with the Brandons in Long Beach.  This was SO much fun and highly recommended.

 Brandon family.

 The boys thought it was so funny to pull the brake while we were riding.

 Our family riding (I am wearing Aspen).

 Hunter and Kieran

 We went to Disneyland one night and Landon wanted to be held so little Aspen rode in the stroller.  So big!

 Daddy and Landon on Dumbo

 Mommy and Landon on the rockets.  Hunter didn't want to ride anything - so we both got time with Landon.

 Me trying to calm down Aspen.  She was so mad.  I need to get this girl a nap schedule!

 SHe LOVES the swing from Aunty Megan (McPhie).  Guaranteed nap!

 Finally, Hunter doesn't like to be alone.  Actually, I think he is afraid of being alone.  He was waking up anywhere from 1-4 times a night.  Now the boys sleep together.  They wake up early but they sleep all night long!  Hunter has been so much nicer to Landon ever since they started to sleep together too - so it's a win-win.  And it makes for adorable pictures.