Shillig 4 Family

I have never in my entire life made "New Year's Resolutions" but this year I realized that there is more to them than the usual "lose weight" resolutions. I realized that many of the people I admire make resolutions and it is truly a tool for bettering myself. SPIRITUAL ~read Book of Mormon by April General Conference (a challenge from our Bishop) BODY ~reach a healthy weight for my height (by May when Malachi will be 1 year old) ~compete in a race of some sort (1 mile, 5k, etc.) FAMILY ~set-up a "daycare" style schedule for the kids ~potty train Mali Su (she keeps asking to go and going...this could work!) ~eat out no more than once a week SPOUSE ~go on a "real" date with Jake at least once a month FINANCIAL ~re-establish savings of 3 months of expenses ~save for a trip to Chile and go (where Jake served his mission for our church) I have never done this before so I'm sure there are other things I could list but these are things we are...

I decided to take the kids sledding this evening. The snow was too gorgeous (despite causing the wreck) to pass up. Mali Su doesn't sled. She prefers to walk around and get on the playground equipment. She stood in one spot for a good while staring at her glum (glove) until I asked her if she wanted me to put it back on her. She is our stubborn one. Aimi Lark once again hit the hills with Uncle Brody. Uncle Brody had me sled down and I was not successful. I fell out at the bottom and tried to catch myself with my arms and now my left shoulder is sore. THEN to top it off on my way up the hill my phone rang, I answered it, and fell on some ice and bit my tongue. I am the least coordinated person I know. Uncle Brody enjoyed himself even though we didn't stay very long. It was COLD, crowded, started snowing and getting dark. And just for a good smile, here is Malachi in an IN-N-OUT hat. Oh and one last thing. My mom is trying to make it out for Brody's baptism...

blah yesterday and even more blah today. No reason in particular, I just can't seem to get up the energy to do anything. Below is a picture of all the Christmas cards we received before Christmas...we received some yesterday but I had already taken this picture. Last night after visiting baby Atticus and bringing Uncle Seth dinner of IN-N-OUT we had some Keetons over to play XBOX . The girls shared their IN-N-OUT dinner with Hadley. Mali Su can be a little feisty sometimes so I took her to the back and hung out with her in the office while the other girls played in the playroom. It was fun seeing her do things by herself (like put on this lip gloss for 30 minutes straight). Here the boys are playing a little "Call." Jake called me early this morning and told me he had bad news. He slid out of a round-about on his way to work and hit a tree. It snowed ALL day yesterday and by the looks of things this morning it had snowed all night too. I wasn't angry, and I...

Tonight we had the privilege of meeting Seth and Larkie's little boy Atticus . 9lbs 7oz 21.5 inches long

Monday was a family work day. We got up early to go to the Provo LDS Temple only to find it was closed for maintenance. We came home and I got in bed with Malachi and Audrey (who had come over to babysit). While I slept in Jake and Brody took down all of Christmas and put it in storage. After that we had lunch and then Jake put up the bunk beds he bought for the girls. That evening we met my cousin Sarah and her husband's family at Pirate Island but after waiting FOREVER we decided to leave (they stayed and didn't get their food til 8:30pm and we showed up at 6:30pm!) We picked up Little Ceasar's pizza and ate at the Sarager's house with Jake's family. When we got home we made up the beds for the girls and they were so happy! Now today is Tuesday and I am feeling extremely lazy. Jake spoiled me by being home since Christmas eve and letting me sleep in and helping me with daily chores. I need to get myself in gear.

In my head she should be 2 not 3. Three seems so much older than two. I love the sweet personality she has. As I realized her 2s had come and gone, I could probably count on one hand the number of "terrible 2" style temper tantrums she has thrown (she prefers to whine). I love her concern for the feelings of others. She will ask "Are you happy or sad?" and if you say sad she will "oh you sad? I sorry." If you raise your voice she will say "Don't be mad." I love the sincerity in which she says these things. She is so loving. She will cuddle up to you, pat your back, stroke your hair, and all those kind cuddly things that are enjoyed. She loves Jake so much. They truly have a special bond unlike I have ever seen. I am so grateful that I am able to give her the gift of a kind and loving father, that I know without any doubt will ALWAYS be there for her. I think that is one of the greatest gifts I can give to her. (when Jake was introduc...

We went to church with the Saragers and Jake's family that is here from California. It was wonderful to go to church with family like that. We came home from church and had Jake's dad's specialty meal of homemade biscuits and gravy made by Jake's mom. Everyone then talked, played games, and I set-up a little beauty salon in the kitchen. By the time dinner rolled around I had cut/trimmed the hair of Lark, Larkie , Rachel, Audrey, Elliana , Seth, and Bill. It made me grateful my mom did have me get my cosmetology license in high school. After dinner was eaten and we talked some more we decided to check out the Christmas lights on some fancy houses near the Sarager's house. It was a wonderful day!

We went sledding in the morning with the Jarrells while Jake went snowmobiling with the driving age Jarrells . Turns out Jake's family was sledding on the other side of rock canyon park at the same time we were and neither of us had any idea! I guess that is what we get for not inviting each other to go! The little girls first played on the playground. A boy walked by who was about 12 years old. Aimi Lark excitedly said "HI! Na...um, uh, um" and then proclaimed, "That's no-one!" It was hilarious to watch her try and figure out who the boy was but when she realized she was not an uncle or cousin she said "That's no-one" and made me laugh because I've never heard her even say the word "no-one." Aimi Lark LOVED sledding! She had an absolute blast. Every time I would say, " Aimi Lark do you want ____?" or a similar question she would say, "I'm fine Mom, I'm fine." She said that while putting u...

I think so... No pedestrians or other vehicles were harmed when she fell asleep at the wheel. We did, however, watch her bob her head around (striking it numerous times on the steering wheel) before we moved her safely to her bed.

We all met up at our condo clubhouse at 1pm for a Christmas potluck. We had good food, good friends, and good fun! During the first round of the game "Mafia" while the "town" was "asleep" Mali Su really fell asleep on the armrest of the chair while sitting on my lap! It was so adorable. Malachi fell asleep next in Jake's arms. Our kids and us adults had an exhausting day!

Malachi woke up early for breakfast and the girls followed shortly after. We ended up with all three kids in bed with us so that we didn't disturb anyone else that was sleeping. Once everyone began to stir Christmas traditions were underway! The girls came into the kitchen/living room to find that Santa had brought a cozy coupe police car for them! We took turns from youngest to oldest opening gifts. Brody received some awesome XBOX 360 gear and the boys all enjoyed playing with it later in the day. Jake got me a 1TB completely portable external hard drive so that I can store the 20,000+ pictures I have on our 5 year old computer (before it crashes). I was so surprised by this gift! I got him gift certificates for a spa. He asked for a massage as his commissioning gift and since I'm no massage therapist I was happy to get him this gift. Malachi was a bit unsure of it all but had fun grabbing things within arms reach of him and trying to eat them. Aimi Lark loved t...