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!