No Turning Back

I signed up for my 100 mile bike race this week in part so that I wouldn't have to pay $5 more after March 1st for dragging my feet and in part so that I would have a price to pay for backing out. I am doing this and there is no turning back now. Bring on the training...but first bring on the warm weather. 

What's Up?

It's been a while since I've posted and here is what I've been up to!


I'm now a pinterester. I was having so many people tell me that it was great and fun and that I'd love it so I joined to see what all the fuss was about. I admit, it's pretty fun. I can definitely loose myself on there, as if I'm not already on the internet enough. It's just fun to see the creative ideas and beautiful things people post. If you're on there feel free to follow me but mostly so I can follow you back, my collection is still quite small. 


It was good bye today to my old friend. Stephen and I definitely saw the farewell as a necessity. We sold the Passat after a good three year run in the family. She was just getting too expensive to fix too frequently.

We sold her on KSL in just three days for a price that we could feel honest about. It will make a good down payment for our next addition that we're anxiously awaiting because we're now a one car family. We'll see how that goes...

Last but not least, if you thought my class at school had it's share of disgusting ailments when I had a boy with contagious ringworm, you were wrong. I had a student that went home today with lice and scabies. I can't even begin to imagine what her home looks like, nor do I want to. We had to do a lice check on all of the kids in my class and thankfully everyone was clean. We did a thorough sanitizing and lecture about not sharing anything that might touch our heads and my skin crawled all day. This too shall pass? None too soon.

Resolutions

I have never once in my life set a New Year's resolution that I have kept. I usually don't set any. In 2011 I set one goal, exercise four times every week. I just have to brag for this one tiny second and say that I completed this and thus my first New Year's resolution. I am so proud and so sick of exercising that much. Sometimes it was fun, like in the summer when I could bike and I would sometimes bike more than four days in the week. Sometimes it was torture, like when I was sick or had parent-teacher conferences. 

This year Stephen and I wrote a whole list of things we'd like to do this year, either alone or together. The biggest ones for me are to learn to play the piano and to complete a 100 mile bike race. I am starting piano lessons this week and I am planning to sign up for the 100 mile stretch of the Goldilocks women's only ride in South Salt Lake that takes place in May. I would love a riding buddy if anyone is looking for a New Year's resolution of their own!

The Happiest Place on Earth

For Christmas with my family this year we went to Disneyland! My family LOVES Disneyland. I am not excluded from that but Stephen definitely got his fill after our three twelve-hour days between the two parks. I would go back today if I could! We had a great time.

The park was all decorated for Christmas, which made it even more magical.

We went on SO many rides. Despite what Stephen might think, we still didn't go on every ride but that could be a good goal for next time.

We met some of our favorite characters. I didn't get to see sleeping beauty this time except in the parade so that is sad. At least I got my picture next to Heimlich and my mom even had a candy corn handy for me.


Stephen and I both got our favorite Disneyland treats. Both of them were a little too bit to finish comfortably. Stephen muscled through his but I had to have some help on mine.

All of the boys wanted to share in eating a turkey leg together.

We had mostly good weather. This was the best and most sunny afternoon.

Later that day it rained and Stephen and I sat on the Main Street curb for an hour that night trying to get premium spots for the parade. They canceled it due to the rain. We were still happy because we had one more night and the next night we got front row seats on benches for the parade.

This was my new FAVORITE ride. It was so much fun and we rode it at least five times.

Merry Christmas from the happiest place on earth!

Merry Christmas

We had such a great Christmas. We were in Logan for the weekend with the Champlin family.

The Christmas Eve program was a little wild this year. We had a doughnut eating contest (Spencer won), Stephen's face got painted like Santa, we built gingerbread houses (Spencer's and mine was the best but Zac and Lyndsay won), we ate Elf spaghetti, and much more.

The whole family on Christmas Eve...plus McCrary

We got great gifts. Ashley got dreamy shampoo and conditioner, I got Modern Family season 2, Kamie got the best pj's ever, Spencer got some special Christmas shoes (it's his favorite Christmas song), Zac got a custom robe, and mom got a Christmas miracle coat that fit like a glove and she won't even return.

Stephen got the other best pajamas in the world and he and Kamie were pj besties.

Christmas morning, just looking so great.

Church was great on Christmas day and Stephen looked the cutest in his new Christmas suit. Spencer looked the second cutest in his Christmas sweater.

Young Family Photos

Over Thanksgiving we got family pictures taken with the Youngs. They turned out great!

The whole family:

 My favorite of Stephen and I:

Stephen's favorite:

'Tis The Season

Merry Christmas! It's been a busy holiday season for our family. We had a get-together for Spencer's "homecoming" just before Thanksgiving in Logan. The whole Robinson extended family came up (from Las Vegas) for the occasion. The house was full and crazy and so much fun.

We got to spend Thanksgiving with the Youngs. It was so fun to have Chris and Nicole there from Denver and we LOVED having the new nephews around. Family pictures to come soon.

Right after Thanksgiving Stephen and I picked up our tree. We strapped this beauty right on to the top of the Passat. Who needs a truck anyhow? It smelled amazing and was a little bit bigger in our house than we thought it was going to be when we picked it outside.

I actually managed to purchase ornaments this year, I am pretty pleased with the tree but Tai Pan Trading was a little intense for me and Stephen.

Santa came early for us this week when he dropped this on to our door step. Stephen did a fantastic job assembling it. Thank you Santa!

Stephen gave me my first gift today. It was a truly selfless gift, this year's Michael Buble Christmas CD. I just can't help it, his voice is so wonderful. Stephen didn't even mind listening to it with me...or at least he didn't say anything.

Tonight we finally made it downtown to look at the lights at Temple Square. They were impressive as always and unfortunately it was freezing as ever. There are only two days left but we are keeping our fingers crossed for a white Christmas to come along with this cold.

Happy Holidays!

Marcel

Stephen found this video on youtube and we thought of our friends Adrienne and Heather, this one goes out to you two. Marcel The Shell With Shoes On, Two:

Welcome Home Elder Champlin!

Spencer FINALLY got home from his mission in Buenos Aires Argentina this past weekend. It actually didn't feel like he had been gone for two years but I didn't like him being gone at all. It was a joyous reunion.

Three of Spencer's best friends/companions from his mission came to the airport with us. They were the designated sign-holders. My fourth graders helped me make these signs. Yes, we were shameless in the airport to Stephen's chagrin. He is in the airport with obnoxious people like us a little bit too often I guess.

Lyndsay and Kamie with...yes...balloons.

The whole group waiting...

Spencer and his lovely sisters.

This is now the only family picture that we have with everyone in it besides my wedding photos. It's so great to be all together again! Check out Ashley's baby bump, the first grandchild is due in May!

In true missionary style he's sporting his ripped shirt and shoes with the soles barely hanging on.

It was such a fun weekend. We watched both of the Harry Potter 7 movies, ate delicious cheesecake (his first food request, can you tell that he grew up with all sisters?), went to the temple, and just had such a great time together. Welcome home Spencer!

Two Weeks

Thats right folks, only two weeks until this greatest, cutest, most wonderful brother gets home from his mission in Argentina.

It's going to be great...

We're going to hug mom...

We're going to take some (more) great family photos...

We're going to catch up on the Harry Potter movies...

We're going to get Spencer ready for the rest of his life as a real man...

We're going to see the sights...

We're going to watch some sports (sadly not the Red Sox this year, next year though)...

I can hardly wait!