Ringing In The New....

It's a new year!  And with that comes a clean slate for tackling the personal improvements I strive for.

Last night, after devouring Chinese take-out, we sat down with the kids to recap our year, as well as set some goals for this new year.  Here they are:

Grant

Biggest accomplishment:  Going poop in the potty (that's a biggie for me too!!!  Almost done with diapers in this house!)

Best memory:  Riding in the dune buggy with daddy.  "I be scared!" (to quote Grant exactly)

To do in 2009:  Watch Jack be Nemo (Don't ask where this came from.  I think he was referring to watching Jack swim?)

Jack

Biggest accomplishment:  Learning how to read!  Also learning how to ride the quad and being nice to his brother and sister.

Best memory:  When Niav came over to play (his girlfriend from Kindergarten) and going to LegoLand & the San Diego Wild Animal Park.

To do in 2009:  Go to LegoLand for 4 weeks.  Also, stop sucking finger and join swim team.

Olivia

Biggest accomplishment:  Learning how to drive the quad by herself.  Also singing "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" alone in front of more than 200 people at our ward Christmas party.

Best memory:  Starting 4th grade.

To do in 2009:  Get all "A's" in school.

Steve

Biggest accomplishment:  Being Mr. Mom while I trained for multiple races this year.

Best memory: Camping with the kids, watching Jack start Kindergarten, watching Jack do gymnastics and Olivia do swim team.

To do in 2009:  Finish the house (remaining windows, carpet, master bathroom)

Alyson

Biggest accomplishment:  Completing 1 sprint and 2 Olympic distance triathlons, as well as 1 1/2 marathon.

Best memory:  Celebrating 11th anniversary with Steve in Yosemite.  Also being mom to 3 amazing kids and watching them grow into such capable people.

To do in 2009:

1. Maintain better order in the house on a daily basis.
2. Get down to 145 - it has to be possible!
3. Read 15 books - not all fiction.
4. Get caught up with our family scrapbook (that is a daunting task!)
5. Spend time daily strengthening my spirit.

As a family, we set a couple of goals as well:

1. Go to LegoLand this summer (but not for 4 weeks - maybe 4 days.  Can you tell this was a favorite event this year?)
2. Watch less TV, read more books.

I always love starting the new year.  Even if I didn't achieve all my goals for the prior year, I feel like I can start anew.  And with the encouragement and love of one another, I know anything is possible!