New Years!

We followed tradition by spending New Years Eve at home. Someday my boys will want to go out with their friends and Max and I will get a New Years Eve date but until then, we are really enjoying our safe, indoor New Years celebration. We kept our dinner simple with crackers and smoked Salmon that Max's Uncle Jay gave us for Christmas, and leftover homemade breadbowls/split pea soup.  Random I know, but that is how we do dinner these days.

 

The boys (Max included) got so excited about making a fort in the living room that they all worked together and put together this little beauty after dinner.

 

After getting all jammied, we watched a movie. I only lasted in the fort for a couple minutes then I moved to the couch and fell asleep during most of the movie.

When the movie was over, we kept with tradition of chocolate covered strawberries and sparkling cider. This was about 9:30 so it was late for the boys but not really close to midnight. We branched out to include pineapples and pomegranate too. 

We reviewed some of the highlights of the year with the boys which included preschool, Halloween, Christmas, and birthdays. Shortly after 10 we put the boys in bed so Max and I could have the rest of the evening for our games and goals New Years date. We played card games talked about our faovirte memories of the year and reviewed our goals from the previous year and made new goals for the coming year.

Some of our favorite accomplishments in 2016 include:

• Made a baby
• Bought 4 houses
• Miles Potty trained
• ARMENIA TRIP!
• Max left Grow Construction
• Charlie's Eye Surgery
• Bought Second car
• Got in Bed earlier (our goal was by 11, 4 days per week. We didn't really reach this goal until October, and we still aren't that great at it)
• More frequent temple attendance!
• Weekly Date Nights!! (This has been awesome!) 
• Rafting trip
• Lots of Beach trips
• Lots of Camping trips
• Photography business and education has significantly increased
• Our Halloween costumes/photos 
• Max turned 30 and celebrated in San Diego
• Charlie started Preschool
• Home preschool success
• Charlie tried Taekwondo

Some of our 2017 goals include:

• Have a baby (any day now) 
• Sell some houses
• Get some rental houses
• Purchase own home
• Trip to Nashville
• Trip to Utah
• Tumbling/Gymnastic classes for boys
• Swim lessons for boys
• Max runs a half marathon
• Rebecca runs a 5k by April
• Meal planning 
• Get to pre-pregnancy weight within 9 months
• Continue date nights (may modify with new baby)
• Monthly dates with Children
• Strict budgeting
• Charlie starts Kindergarten

Anyway, it has been a wonderful year and we of course look forward to the upcoming year and the changes that will happen as we turn into a family of 5. It is fun to see progress even though we didn't accomplish every single one of our 2016 goals.  It is wonderful to see the growth in our children as well as our parenting and marriage. Life is good and even though it is sort of cliche to do these resolutions and goals, we are better because of them! Happy 2017 to you all!