So the New Year has come and with it so many goal. Or New Year Resolutions as many people call them. I don't know why I set goals each year. Maybe for no other reason than it a tradition, but any who.... so this year I set the usual goals, lose weight, eat right, exercise, blaa blaa blaa... You know what they are. Well I set my goals by month. Andthey're not really goals so much as projects I want to accomplish and the month I want to accomplish them in. I sat down and starting making my list, just as I do every year.

We've all made those nasty resolutions with high hopes and dreams, only to stumble, start again and then flop ourselves down and say, "I'll start again later."

Well, I wasn'tgoing to do anything different until a new job fell into my lap just as the New Year started. This now job matches the family schedule so much better than the one I had before and so I start the New Year fresh withmany new and wonderful ideas about the wonderful change and what I can do with it. The first thing I was going to do differently was spend less time in front of the computer, spend more time blogging (see a contradiction there?), spend more time with the kids, and finish all the projects I've started and bought supplies for. (Yet another conflict of interest)

So I set off running. I started by cleaning the crafty room. Which is no small project, but this room of mine is the walkway into the storage room (and that room is another project all by itself) the washer and dryer are stored there as well as the second fridge.

What was I thinking?!? I've tried to clean and straighten this room before. I even bought cabinet shelves to store my material. But this time I actually got somewhere and I also figured out why it is so difficult to store/organize anything in there is that dang 72-inch window. Yep you read thatright I have a 6 foot window IN THE BASEMENT! Now I know you might this "well that's great you can use that to bring supplies or what-not’s in or out. NOPE! The top floor has a 3-foot jut and overlaps the entire basement and this window is also set deep into the window well. Basically it lets in a lot of light, (and cold) is isn't good for much else.

before

during

So here are some before and after pictures of my wonderful space. And I shouldn't complain too much after all it is MY wonderful space and at least I have some.

after

(This post also published on my sister blog flitterbycreations.blogspot.com)

So it's been a while. A house never runs quite as smoothly when mom works as when she doesn't, at least in my house. So now that I've been working for a while and adapted to the time away from home, (I love the ladies I work with) I've found some time to get a few things done. I sewed pajamas for all the kids except Kenzie who I decided gets to learn how to sew her own, and made a couple of outfits for my tall skinny 7 year old. In a world were stores are carrying "husky's" my kids always needed tall and now, my youngest needs "tall and skinny." At least I have the ability to sew and I now work around a great selection of fabrics and I know exactly when they are on a great sale.

On another note, James has hit the road driving, sort-of. The new requirements of have to put in so many hours is great, but he didn't want to drive when we were available to drive with him this summer, and now that he's taking the driving class he's reading to drive, but we don't like the weather, and today 22+ inches isn't helping. I guess he can wait (and so can I)

Now to the real reason I decided to post today - HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!! I hope you Christmas was wonderful and your New Year is fabulous!

Fishing on Grandpa's Boat

We went fishing with grandpa on Deer Creek Reservoir a few weekends ago. It was great fun, after the boat started working properly. We were able to catch several large fish (18 inches or larger) we all had a blast.

Olivia and one of her fishes.

James learning how to clean and gut the fish.

Olivia's reaction to the cleaning and gutting of the fish.

It was a beautiful, hot day. Mark, James and Livi went up again the following weekend and while they didn't have as much luck as we did they enjoyed that trip just as much.

Gale Center

We took the Activity day girls to the Gale Center in South Jordan and learned a lot about who settled our area. They were farmers, miners and many more. An interesting fact about South Jordan are, it was initally called Gale, because of all the wind - and there are a lot of windy day out here. The girls had a blast! (Livi did too!)

There were many beautiful quilts on display. The chicken have jewels on them. Actual 3D jewels. The lady who made the flag was the tour guides wife. It took her 2 years to sew this quilt (all by hand).

The mine including cart and canary.

dressing up and playing pioneer.

An old building moved onto the property.

Missing teeth

Olivia lost two teeth in two days. She was so excited to be missing her two front teeth. On July 19th she lost her first top tooth and then the next early on the 21th. She actually has 3 holes in her mouth at the moment. It's enjoyable to watch her stick her tongue out, but annoying as she is trying to slur her words. All in all she's still excited and smiles big for everyone.