Hello 2012!

We had a great Christmas.  We spoiled the kids and enjoyed the festivities.  Of course the best blessing of all is to be together as a family.  Xander really go into the holiday spirit.  Everyday he still tells me things that he wants to ask Santa for and I have to keep telling him we have another whole year.  I don't think he grasps that concept yet.  Here are some pictures from the holiday:

 This is my brother and his fiancee Kristen.  They are getting hitched in just a few days.  I get a new sister, yay! 

This is my first year that I haven't made a resolution that I need to drop weight.  I lost 53 pounds last year.  This year is really about getting fitter and learning to maintain the loss.  I'm so glad it was possible to lose that weight.  I thought I was just stuck with it forever, until I stumbled upon Sparkpeople.com.  I use their app to count my calories and fitness and it has helped me lose. 

This year I really want to focus on learning to budget and just get better with finances.  We paid off some debts last year and I hope we can pay off more this year.

Now that I'm in a more healthy lifestyle I want to learn to cook healthier and start a box garden so I don't have to spend too much money on the fresh produce at the grocery store.  It will be a good year to continue to be more physically and financially fit! 

Xander's new years resolution that I made for him is to be fully potty trained.  He makes progress then he goes backward and it keeps going in an endless cycle.  Maybe it will finally end this year before he turns 4.  I keep hoping!