The Johnson's: Dec 29 - Jan 4: Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year 2014!! What great plans do you have for this new year? Did you set any resolutions this year? I've gone on record on this blog saying that I hate setting resolutions, but guess what, it's a new year and apparently, a new me because this year, I actually set some! Of course, I haven't yet spoken them out loud (and typing them on this blog doesn't count)! I'll tell you what they are, but first let me go through our week.

The big news of this week is that Elin is pulling herself up - and I captured the big moment in pictures (see below). Almost as soon as I finished posting last week's entry that she was reaching and grabbing for things, she pulled herself up to a standing position using her new Christmas present. I'm still not sure how I really feel about her new skill - proud of her for learning new skills but worried that she is going to hurt herself. Her crawling skills look a bit "lurchy" yet. But she is so desperate at times to get to certain toys that I expect her skill & speed will improve quickly. Kent's parents were here to help us celebrate the holidays. Beside watching Elin add more physical achievements to her list, this week of their trip involved 2 events, lots of chores and plenty of quality time with the kiddos.

Trying to get to top of the toy so she can suck on it. She needs just a bit longer reach...

Ahh, Now, I can suck on the top of this toy, but hmmm, not such a comfortable position

Wait, what?! Standing is an option?! Look at me! I'm so tall!

We ended our year with a family photo shoot on Monday to mark Elin's 6 month milestone. We went to Loch Haven Park by the Science Center. We were able to get our pictures done before the drizzly weather came in but my hair anticipated the rain and frizzed up really nice. Yay-thank you for nothing. I am getting awfully tempted to chop it all off! Tim, our photographer, got some really nice shots so I'll be sharing some over the next few weeks ;)

We didn't actually do much for New Years Eve, but we did manage to stay up to midnight to usher in 2014 (the adults that is)! We spent Thursday, Jan 2, at Downtown Disney walking around and peeking in stores. We did take the water taxi ride around the lagoon and then had lunch at the Raglan Pub. We left just as it started to sprinkle. Kent & I were debating whether it would turn into a deluge before we got to the car. I was right and we got dumped on just as we entered the parking lot so we had to make a mad dash to the car!!

When Mary & Roger are here, Kent tries to take off as much time from work as he can and he & Roger get lots of home chores done!! The chores that got done consisted of light bulb replacements, adding weather stripping around some doors, fixing the front door lock & handle, organizing & cleaning the garage, bolting the dishwasher into the cabinet, and hanging shelves, to name a few.

Want to know what my "secret" resolutions are?! This year, I think I will use this blog to keep track of how I do on my goals. If nothing else, it will keep my goals fresh & present in my mind...of course, this could be the beginnings of 4 new avenues of stress & guilt if I don't work on the goals!

1. Read through the Bible in one year: I am working on this resolution with my Mom & Kirstin. We've chosen an app called YouVersion that has yearly reading plans. The app gives you 5-6 selections each day to read: Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms & Proverbs. It takes about 10-15 minutes a day. I started a few days late, but I'm caught up & on track!

2. Establish Healthy Habits: I actually started this goal on December 1 by starting a special diet for nursing mothers. I'm using the Take Shape for Life plan which utilizes Medifast as their door provider. The TSFL program is coach driven, so I have someone that calls & encourages me every week. I decided to start the plan because after losing some baby weight initially after Elin was born, I then proceeded to gain nearly all of it back. I was down to only a few pairs of pants that fit. Since starting the program, I've lost 11 pounds and don't feel like I'm depriving myself of food (just cookies & ice cream-which, in my humble opinion, should be an essential food group!)

3. Have Fun with the Kids: Gramma & Grampa Johnson are here this week so we've been living it up with them! Our big event was a trip to Downtown Disney. Erik & Elin have constant attention (oh, what am I going to do next week when they leave?). On the adult front, Kent & I went on a date this Saturday night! First time in awhile. We did dinner at Hillstone and watched the movie "Frozen". Loved everything about the night- including $100 bill we found in parking lot!!! Date paid for! Perfect ending for 2 accountants. We need to go out more often. :)

4. Work on my projects: Kent & Roger actually helped me with this one by hanging some floating shelves so that I could display some lovely photos of Kent & I "pre-kids" that we had taken in 2010. The shelves also display some of the souvenirs that we've collected on our trips (also pre-kids!). I think the end result is lovely and I'm so happy to not see empty walls in our formal living room!

Here are some more photos!