Busy weekend with a wedding!

My brother got hitched this weekend on Saturday 1/7/12.  It was neat being able to participate.  His new bride Kristen asked Sarah and me to be bridesmaids.  It was fun dressing up.  I'll admit it,  I'm a girl who still likes to dress up when she gets a chance.  We are excited to welcome a new sister into the family.  Xander was supposed to be the ring bearer, but when we were getting in line for the ceremony he decided he wanted nothing to do with it.  I guess that is the way of 3 year olds sometimes. 

Sarah and Chris

Mike and Kristen signing the certificate!

The other big event was having Jeremiah's father Rick and his two younger daughters, Sammy and Bradie come to visit all the way from Texas.  Xander and Wesley got to see their other grandpa, but I suppose they may be too young to remember.  We all hope that we will get to see each other more despite the distance and build some relationships.  We had a dinner at our house with everybody, including Jeremiah's half-sister Bethany and her little family. 

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!