Family

I am so thankful for my family.  In laws and my immediate.  There is never a day that I don't talk to someone from my family.  Because they are ALWAYS there for me, which makes having the family I have even that much better.  I think everyone knows who reads my blog that my sister is probably the busiest person known to man.  She is in her residency to become a OBGYN.  I am so proud of her, but I have to admit I do miss her ALOT.  I rarely get to talk to her anymore, but what is so great about having a sister is the second you do talk it's like you picked up right where you left off.  That's what I love, and my sister is hilarious.  I think everyone that has met her, honestly has nothing bad to say about her.  She is the sweetest, most loving person and the best big sister ever.  Sorry for the side rant on her, BUT what I was getting to is family will always be there.  Whether it's a bad day, or just need a pick me up.  I know I could call anyone, whether that be my mother in law or sister in law, and ask them the dumbest question and they would help me out with anything.  My wonderful father in law came over and helped install wood flooring, more on that later with pictures, and it was so nice of him to take his whole weekend to help us.  Means the world to me because I know I can't help Evan with all these projects.  I have no clue what I'm doing.  My Dad does the same for us too.  He is always willing to help with any project we might need help with.  That's what I love about family, always willing to help.  It's such a great feeling and I will be forever grateful to all the amazing people in my life.  So thank you to my amazing family, don't know what I would do without all of you!

Running

We have been attempting, I say that with not much confidence, to try to get back in shape.  It's been terrible.  Well, let me rephrase that.  I have been trying.  Evan the other night told me that he could probably run the half tomorrow.  How's that for a confidence booster?  Meanwhile, I'm wheezing behind him after our 3 mile run.  I have no clue why we, technically it's just me apparently, get so out of shape in just 4 months.  I know I should probably make more of an effort to stay more fit year round so it isn't this big of a hurdle the first month getting back into the running swing.  It's honestly amazing to me how much you can really lose in such a short amount of time.

Plus, I have set a pretty high goal for myself this time around.  I have done two half marathons now, and I always hit my "wall" at mile 10.  It's probably a mental thing for me, but I just am done at mile 10.  So I always get a not so great time.  So this year, I will stick to my goal time.  And I may be killing myself in practice, but in my head the plan sounds good.  I figure if I train at a really fast pace, then during the half and I get beyond tired again at mile 10 hopefully my "slow" pace will be somewhat faster then before?  Like I said, the plan sounds good in my head.  Let's just hope this time around I actually stick in the ballpark.

But good news for our training plan, we got new shoes!!  It's only been about two years since we bought new ones.  Yep, Evan got new ones before we did the Ragnar, and I got new ones before I did my first half in 2010.  So we were in need of new equipment.  Plus they had these really cool sport bands that tracked everything at the Nike store.  Kerry, so help me if you go buy one I'm gonna be pissed.  (kidding)  But in all seriousness I really wanted one, they were so skinny and little but my Nike shoes didn't have that check+ thing so I couldn't.  Boo on that!  We are trying to keep fashionable and with the times, Kerry has the "in" with all the latest things that come up.  So we are only like 5 years behind at this point.  We are gradually getting there.  Kerry is kicking butt at running, she is a constant motivation for me.  And she may not know this, but her texts she sends me asking how my run is or what time I got...it really does help.  Because 99% of the time, I didn't want to run that day but I know that she could text me asking how it went and I don't want to have to say I didn't run today.  Evan is a great accountability partner too, but in all honesty he would rather I sit on the couch with him and cuddle with the dogs :)  So thanks Kerry!  You are such a role model to me, because I honestly have NO IDEA how you balance and juggle everything you do.  You are just the greatest, thanks for the constant encouragement and motivation because heaven knows I need it most days.

So here is to the next 3 months, the Salt Lake half is right around the corner...eek!

Cutest

See this kid?

He posed for us all day on Christmas.  That's his new sled he is modeling for you.  This is my all time favorite picture of him.  Such a cutie, and then we got to play with him the day after while Kerry got herself a new phone.  Wyland is the reason Evan and I want kids.  We just hope they turn out as cute.

2 Years

Today, I have been married to my best friend for two years.  It's been a wild two years for us!  Over the last year alone we:

• Tried to ski every weekend
• Spent countless hours cuddling with our dogs
• Watched the Dodgers have a not so stellar season
• Planned our dream vacation
• Went on our dream vacation to England, Italy, and Spain
• I was able to meet all my extended family on Evan's side, which was a huge goal for us!
• Attended an amazing finance class for 4 months.
• I had 4 different jobs
• Evan had 2
• My sister had an amazing wedding which we were able to attend
• We had our first delinquent experience with Torre
• I gradually "attempted" to decorate
• Went camping with friends and family numerous times over the summer
• Evan graduated!

Second time Evan and I ever hung out

Overall, we have had a busy year.  Many mile stones happened over 2011 and all of a sudden our two year anniversary was here!!  Needless to say, it's been an amazing two years.  We went to Tuscany for our anniversary to be in the same place where we had the most amazing wedding ever.  As Evan put it, we should try to go every year for our anniversary so we can have the same feelings as the first day of marriage.  We have had countless support over the last two years from both parents.  Thank you both for your countless hours of help you give us, and phone calls.  We love you both and have such great examples to live by.  It's so funny to look at pictures when we first started dating and see how young we look.  Yes, we are coming to terms with getting old.  But everyday is great to grow old with the one you love.

The last two years, Evan and I have learned more about each other everyday.  For instance, he is the little handyman around the house.  And I positively love it.  If something breaks, he will fix it.  I, on the other hand, am somewhat useless in this area.  I try to be a good assistant.  We are learning to budget and save.  Which I think has been our biggest feat to conquer.  I think, personally, money can be a touchy subject.  My parents enrolled us into Financial Peace University (which I strongly recommend) and we were so skeptical at first.  But just in the first month we had a whole new perspective on our finances.  I know most people hate talking about money, but our lives have completely changed because of this class.  And I'm not trying to be a spokesperson for the class, but it was a huge hurdle for us.  You always hear everyone say that each additional year of marriage is better then the last.  And I used to think these people were so cheesy, but it's honestly so true.  You grow with that person, and just learn things about them.  Evan, no matter what, can ALWAYS make me laugh.  It doesn't matter what kind of day I'm having, he is constantly there to make me feel better.  And I'm assuming everyone read my rant on customer service issues, trust me somedays it's hard to get me out of my funk, but Evan is that magical cure to cheer me right up.  I can honestly say that Evan makes me a better person and helps me grow in ways I didn't know were possible.   

So happy anniversary Ev!  You are the bees knees!  I think you are the most wonderful person in the entire world, and I couldn't imagine one day without you in it!

Christmas and New Years Resolutions

Christmas this year was amazing.  We got beyond spoiled by both families.  Plus, it was much more relaxing because we weren't having to split up the holidays.  My parents went down to Alabama to be with my grandparents and sister and her husband.  So that left Evan and I here with the Howards!  I won't lie, at first I was a bit upset that my whole family was leaving, and this was the first Christmas I wouldn't see them on, but overall it was a great Christmas.

On Christmas Eve we had a wonderful dinner.  And it was nice to have the whole family together, sitting down and enjoying Christmas Eve.  We didn't make it to a candle light service this year...boo...but it's ok.  I just like the services because you get all the carols and the Christmas story and it really puts you in the mood for Christmas.  But with Christmas on a Sunday this year all the services were at weird times.  Oh well...next year.  That night, Kerry and her family, Sharon and David, and us all stayed up and watched a movie.  It's become a tradition, and it's so fun.  Plus we get to eat all the Santa cookies!  Woo!  You know I would never pass up some tasty sweets.  Evan and I spent the night so we could be up with the kiddos to see what Santa brought them.  I won't lie, having kids around at Christmas is so much more fun.  They get so excited for Santa, and play with every toy they open.  It's honestly the cutest thing ever to watch little kids open their gifts.  Jackson got tons of Lego sets, and of course Evan was on cloud nine sitting down and setting every little package up.  Jackson and Evan are the same person, they are pretty funny.  We got a great breakfast, thank you Mr. Howard, and started playing games for the rest of the day.  Apparently, thanks to Trivial Pursuit, I need to study the US Presidents.  And since I'm the only American in the family, I'm required by my in-laws to study since they are English ;)  Don't worry ladies, I'll be ready next year!  Once Mike, Amber and crew arrived we opened all the Christmas presents.  The kids were so good this year with picking up the wrapping paper after, and giving out hugs, it was so much fun.  Plus I got a killer pedicure from Baylee, thank you!

Overall it was a great Christmas, then once my parents got back we got to celebrate all over again.  Let's just say Evan and I got SPOILED ROTTEN from both sides.   I am so thankful for our families who are so thoughtful and always get us the most perfect presents.  Thank you, thank you!!  And with the New Year, I have set some goals.

• First resolution, take more pictures.  If you haven't noticed the last 4 blogs have had zero pictures.  I'm ending this trend. 
• Second, attempt to work out more.  I know, we do a half marathon once a year and that's my source of motivation to get in shape, but it would be nice that the first run of the year I didn't feel like I was literally dying.
• Third, get our house all set to sell.  Yes, this is an early one.  But we get to sell our place next year!  That means I get a house with a yard in a year.  So exciting, so that means saving extra money to do the little home improvement projects.
• And last, pay off both cars by the end of the year.  This will be hard, I won't lie.  But to have literally no debt except a house payment will be the best feeling in the world.

Hopefully I can make all these goals.  I mostly hope I stick to the picture goal, because it's ridiculous how we literally have NO pictures.  I guess we will start to tell with the next couple of blogs I do!  I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and a great New Year!