It's a New Year

I've been waiting for this moment for a while, simmering over what I would resolve to do this year and promise to actually fulfill. I've found myself filled with a profound sense of hope as I think about what will be in store for 2012. Not that 2011 was a bust or anything, but the latter half threw challenges our way that I'm ready to discard and start afresh. On the one hand, I don't know why I have to wait until 1/1 to 'start over' and set new goals, but on the other, I love the symbolic nature behind it all- that everyone can be a better person than the one they were the previous year.

But before I set ridiculous goals that I'll never accomplish, I spent time ruminating over what I feel were accomplishments of 2011. And here they are:

-We finished the major house-tasks
-Successfully grew a garden for the first time
-Fought our first battle with the lawn after winter-- and won!
-entertained a bunch
-Asian Invasion
-had a live-in maid... (haha) but seriously, got to live with my sister
-Rookie of the Year
-Odyssey of the Mind World Finals
-Filled our house with games
-Inaugural Couples' Trip
-Matron of Honor in my BFF's wedding
- Went to Harry Potter world and drank Butterbeer
-Kept track of all the books I've read(& want to read one day!) on Goodreads.com
- Didn't die teaching 2 grades
-Ran the Gate River and Rugged Maniac
-Went backpacking with Dad and Annie

And I'm sure there are more. But here are my resolutions from last year:

1. Actually meet people and get involved at church. Fail. I'll add it to this year's again.

2. Lose 10 lbs or 1 pant size by Amy's wedding (spring break!) Epic fail. In fact, I think I gained a pant size

3. Be better at sending thank-you cards. Lol. should i keep going?

4. Stick with the new devotional I got. *Sigh*

5. Go backpacking at least once per season. I went once?

6. Sew myself an apron. I was given one after this, no need to sew!

7. Find Christmas presents for others while traveling. TOTALLY meant to do this, and adding it to this year's.

8. Pray without ceasing.  Always. 

9. Take a picture a day & document it in a photo book at the end of the year (thanks for the idea, Hilary!) I DID kind of do this, although I kinda gave up on posting every day. This would be fun to still put into a book... 

10. Train for a triathlon. bahhahaha still no. 

11. Listen to more audio books instead of playing with phone. Finally! I did listen to a couple, and I kind of stopped playing with the phone while driving...

12. Not kill the citrus trees my neighbor gave me. OOO finally one FOR SURE!!! They're still kickin,' although I did have to sneak-attack the caterpillars taking over the grapefruit tree yesterday....

Okay, so maybe I didn't accomplish half the things I meant to. 

But it was still a pretty dang good year filled with awesome things. 

Christmas Itself

It was lovely. 

We are blessed to have parents on both sides who live 15 minutes from each other. Christmas Eve was spent at my childhood church where my sister and I sang a duet and we lifted our candles during "Silent Night" like we have since the beginning of time. We ended the night with a gathering at my parents surrounded by family and friends and good food.

And Christmas day.... oh how wonderful it was!

Our new Christmas pajamas-- I love my footie penguins!!

Part II at the Grayson's-- Granny even joined the festivities!

Sometimes we are kind of strange. Okay, all the time. 

So thankful to have had a lengthy amount of time to relax with the fam. Loved spending time with Annie  & going from day to day with no major plans to accomplish. 

My heart was full of love this season. May that spill over into 2012!

After-Christmas Surprise!

I love visiting new places. So I searched and searched and found this place, which I thought looked pretty cool:

We could stay in a cabin, go on an airboat ride, check out the saloon, and shoot trap and skeet. Looked pretty awesome, actually. 

It would have been nice to know prior to booking that the entire place shuts down on Mondays. 

We made the best of it and had a great time anyways, despite having to create our own fun. 

We did end up getting to ride an airboat, Mike's first. But there was one measly alligator to be found. Shoulda gone to Camp Holly..

Oh the way down, though, the boys and their momma got to ride in a helicopter for the first time as part of their Christmas presents. They had a great time flying over the Disney parks and resorts!

And while they were flying, we got to play!

Annual Checchia Christmas Party

It was the best one yet. 

We ate our faces off.

The company was divine.

Pinterest helped me decorate.

There were cutie-pie dogs and babies.

Aaaand the ribbon dancer might have made an appearance...

Love our friends!

Christmas overview, part uno

I detest when I get behind and have to update for weeks worth of events. 

Here's to picking the blog back up regularly in 2012!

The week before Christmas day: 

Paul, did you steal my phone?

Take a picture of us before we eat. Paul loves that. 

It was relaxing and filled with sister/bff/family time. We haven't spent that much time in Melbourne in quite a while. Saw the usual suspects downtown, caught up with old friends, and finished up last- minute Christmas shopping. Hooray.