A year in Pictures.

Normally, Ben has little to do with this blog.  However, I asked Ben to participate today. 

Out of the kindness of his heart, he accepted. 

He picked his favorite pictures from 2010.  One picture and a caption for every month. 

January- Hungry

February-Snowy

March- Wisdom

April- Sunny

May-Pretty

June-Exhaustion

July- Yummy

August- Fun

September- Good Times

October- Love

November- Memories

December- Happiness

Feliz Navidad!

Our Christmas celebration this year was wonderful.  We enjoyed being together as a family.  I even made Christmas Eve dinner, complete with turkey and ham (thank you Harry and David).  It was absolutely delicious and fun to get all dressed up for a "fancy" dinner.    After dinner we opened our new pajamas and read Luke 2. 
We were all so excited that Santa was coming, that we put our pajamas on and went to bed early.  That also meant that everyone woke up early, but Christmas morning is so much more fun if the sun isn't awake yet.

One of the best parts was when we walked down the stairs, and the boys saw all of the presents under the tree.  They were so excited and couldn't wait to start opening each gift (which is part of the reason they saw presents under the tree for the first time on Christmas morning).  We would open each present and take time to look at it, open it (umm...some of the toys required a screw driver to open, a little over packaged in my opinion), and play with it before moving on to the next.

I think that the boys were happy with all of the gifts they received.  One of the funniest things was as we were opening presents, Jack figured out the difference between presents that looked like books and ones that looked like toys.  He started looking for the ones that he thought were toys.  I guess it starts young.  Speaking of gifts, Santa got the memo on time, so Jack got two Transformer toys. 
**Note to self (and to Santa)...no more Transformers, they are a pain to "transform".**

After we opened all of our gifts, our day was full of hot chocolate, playing and sweet treats.  We had a great day enjoying the spoils of the holiday. 

 

All dressed up (shoes optional)

 

All of these pictures of Thomas were taken within moments of each other.  Christmas drama at its best.

Merry Christmas to our family and friends.  We love you.

Gracias Mexico.

Mexico's Independence Day is September 16th.  This year is the 200th anniversary of their Independence, and in order to celebrate, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday have been declared holidays!  Do you know what that means?  Ben has three days off!  Hooray for Independence!  Hooray for Mexico!

I think I have already used this picture, but look at that huge Mexican flag!

Thomas.

We went to Thomas' nine month doctor appointment (which I shall call 101 ways to make me feel guilty: everything I am doing wrong, and all those things I should be doing and am not doing with my poor child).  At least he is still growing.
Thomas is now 28.5 inches and 20 lbs 6 oz, which is exactly double his birth weight.  That puts him in the 50th percentile, which means his growth is slowing down a bit.  (Or it could be all those things that I am doing to ruin my child.) 
Thomas is a wonderful baby, and has the most adorable smile.  He is a keeper for sure.

My Firefighter.

The Reason for the Teardrops on my Laptop.

Before {Snowpocalypse}

Sunday

Tuesday Night still coming down.

Just like my tears.

Resolution.

Generally I have a cynical view of New Year's resolutions.  I don't usually even remember what resolutions I have made by the end of January.  I do, however, admire those that make resolutions and make an effort to keep their resolutions.  This year I am going to take a different approach.  My idea comes from Ben's cousin, Shannon.  She has a one word goal for 2010, her word is Joy.  I thought this was a great idea.  I can actually do this. 
My one word goal for 2010 is GRATITUDE.  I know that I need to be more grateful for my life, particularly for my children and my husband.  I know that if I were more grateful for them, my life would be easier.
My attitude of gratitude starts now.  Here are some of the things I am grateful for.

1.  I am grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The best parts of me come because of my relationship with my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. 

2.   I am grateful for prayer.  When I wish I could be closer to friends and family, one way I feel closer to them is to pray for them.  It is my long distance hug. 

3.  My amazingly loving husband.  He is my favorite.

4.  My two boys.  They in every way have made me a better person.  I can't imagine my life without all they are.

5.  Blogging.  I have never been good at scrapbooking or keeping a journal.  Now I have both in one format.  It has become an outlet for me.  I find that writing our experiences helps me see the good in my life, and gives me a way to look for the best in my family.