Evolution?

I took the boys to the dinosaur museum on Wednesday. The Silly One has been asking for weeks to go and we had an off afternoon so I decided we needed an outing. It is always fun to go and it was really great this time because it was pretty empty and we could look at whatever we wanted and spend as much or little time wherever. The museum starts with the oldest creatures and then moves forward in time. So towards the end they have mammels and such. We got to the exhibit below and the Silly One said, "Look at the monkeys!" Really? I don't have a clue why he thought that, perhaps he is advanced in scientific thinking and has his own thoughts on evolution. :)

He needed a picture with the "monkeys."

In a nearby exhibit there were more mammals and this one to me looked like a llama. Before I could point it out to the Silly One he said, "This one says he has a long neck like a giraffe." And there you have it. 

We'll have to keep going to the dinosaur museum to get some more frequent entertainment like this!

Starting Over

It is only January 8th and I plan to take down my Christmas decorations this coming week. I have a hard time taking them down each year. I think it is because I dread January. I am trying to be good about it, I think every year I think I need to be better about January. It also is just that I do love the holidays so much and the change in decor is fun, I take it down and go back to the regular stuff. :\

Anyway, I enjoy doing resolutions each year and this year I am doing a little twist on it. I read an article about an annual bucket list instead of resolutions and we are trying it out. I'll just list my resolutions and a few of our family items on the bucket list.
My resolutions:
1. Continue my Organization Plan and implement that into daily life.
2. Read the Book of Mormon as part of my daily study
3. Finish at least 4 seasons of my Sarah Jane patterns and hang them in my home
Family Bucket List:
1. Trip to South Bend with the Smart One to watch our favorite Boys in Blue (aka BYU Cougars) play Notre Dame.
2. Camping some place new
3. Finally get my master bedroom done (painting and my custom head board and perhaps the diy night stands)

"Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man." - Benjamin Franklin

It is always fun to look back on the past year and the things that have been accomplished. One of my goals from last year was to see more good, hence the reason I started this blog. It has been just over a year and I love having a reason to look and share the good in my life. Many times I experience or see something and think, awesome I can blog about that. Here's to pleasant reflections of the past year and a Happy New Year filled with many blessings and happiness!

Merry Christmas indeed!

Christmas was merry in every sense of the word! (The Silly One even took a nap!) It was great to see him all excited to see what Santa brought but I loved going to church. We went to my parent's ward because my sister was playing her violin and did a beautiful job! I had been thinking about how several people had told me they weren't going to church or complaining about having to go on Christmas day. My thoughts on the subject that it was a great opportunity to go to church, to celebrate the whole reason we have Christmas. To worship and give thanks to your Father in Heaven for the gift he gave all of us in His Son. Above is my favorite picture from the whole day, me and my boys after church. 

Silent Night, Holy Night - Dec. 24

Just as I have mentioned a lot about food I have also mentioned traditions a fair amount. My very favorite is the Christmas Eve program my extended family has done since I can remember. We have a little talent show where everyone takes turns performing Christmas songs. My grandparents would tell stories about Christmases in their lives and include their testimonies of Jesus Christ. We do act out the nativity as my mom reads the account from Luke 2. After the nativity we sing Silent Night and then kneel in family prayer. As I have gotten older I look forward to singing Silent Night most of all. The spirit and reason we celebrate Christmas is so wonderful during those few musical moments, it is wonderful!

Joesph, Mary, Baby Jesus (the Silly One two years  ago - his first Christmas) and the donkey

Sugar Cookies - Dec. 23

I have written several times about food and really this a great time of year for it. My mom makes several types of cookies and treats each year including sugar cookies. One year we had a gazillion cookies and it took forever to frost them all, that was an experience off a lifetime and I wasn't even the one who added 16 cups of flour.  There are so many good ones but I think my favorite are the chocolate almond balls. My mother-in-law also makes sugar cookies and so we decided to make some to leave Santa. We still need to frost them but it is fun to do another tradition from our childhood with our children. 

Hot Chocolate - Dec. 22

I love chocolate and that includes hot chocolate. We tried to go see the lights at Thanksgiving Point with some of my family, it was a 45 minute wait to just get in to see the lights. We decided to go on a drive ourselves and look at lights. It was nice to drive around and afterward we came home and had hot chocolate and watched some basketball. It was an enjoyable evening even if it didn't work out the way we planned. I credit the hot chocolate, Raspberry Cheesecake and Dark Chocolate flavors. 

It's a Wonderful Life - Dec. 21

I was wrapping presents tonight and watching It's a Wonderful Life. I love that movie! I always feel so uplifted at the end. It is a great lesson in not feeling sorry for yourself and looking at the wonderful blessings we have been given. One of those blessing are people that care about you, look around and you will see them. 

"Remember, no man is a failure who has friends."