A new year

As fun and exciting as this past year has been, I am really looking forward to 2013. I really want this to be a year of growth for my family and me. As my boys are growing and changing everyday, I too want to be intentional about ways I can become stronger and better. My main focus is going to be on developing more patience. Parker is in a challenging phase right now. I find myself getting frustrated with him very quickly as he repeats the same unwanted behavior, throws tantrums, or basically ignores me when he is wanting to follow his own desires. While I realize this is a very normal stage for the age, it doesn't make getting through it any easier. I hope this year I can find ways to communicate with him properly and support him in making good choices. But even when he doesn't make the choices I wish he would, I hope to develop better coping mechanisms myself to not jump to becoming angry. I'm not pleasant to be around when I let myself get worked up. I don't want to be like that.

A tangible goal I want to develop this year is to improve my photography skills. I want to use my DSLR camera and various lenses more and capture more candid moments with my boys. I was reading a blog today that really inspired me to capture the memories that could fade with time... but when they are captured on camera, they can last forever. I want that for my family.

Setting too many "goals" can set you up for failure, so while I have other things I want to accomplish, these will be my main two focuses that I will report back on periodically. It's going to be a good year... and I wish you the same.

Cookie decorating at the RB Inn

Christmas 2012

This was the first time in my married life that I've been "home" for Christmas. It was so exciting waking up at our own home and sitting in our own living room on Christmas morning opening presents. It was extra special since Parker was excited by Christmas this year. He was in awe by the train table that awaited him by the Christmas tree. And the other stocking stuffers that were laid out also got half a glance.

 Austin enjoyed crawling amidst the toys and wrapping paper!

 My parents and grandparents came over to partake in the fun! It was fun sharing that time with them.

 Papa made his pancakes with Parker.

 ...and Austin!

We were supposed to head to Denise's later in the afternoon but the stomach flu had hit their house so we decided to stay away. I think that was a good choice, because one by one all her kids were dropping like flies. Poor kids! And poor Denise! 

We got to Skype with Pete's brother Dan who is on his mission in Washington. Dan has lost over 100 pounds since last April and he looks great and seems so happy. It was awesome being able to see him. 

Other than the normal Christmas-y stuff, we did a lot of block building. Parker's new castle blocks are amazing. 

 Austin was one of my very favorite gifts.

 Loved spending time with my brother Jeff who was in from San Fran. Here we are getting pho.

 Parker... sporting his new puppy hat.

 A new Buzz Lightyear blanket.

 Home Alone anyone? AHHHHHHH!!!!!!

We had a wonderful Christmas nad hope you did too!

We had a very Merry Christmas. 

Kids Sing

Here are a few cute pictures of our kids performing at a Christmas in the Park event a few weeks ago. They were so cute. The little ones in red shirts are our preschool Wee Sing group and then the older kids are K-3.

 My little fam and my friend Pernel and her baby Olin.

 A big group of friends that came to support. Thanks guys!

 Parker checking out the amazing train display!

Christmas Eve in two parts

Merry Christmas to you all. I hope your day was extra special. We had a very busy Christmas Eve. The dahlquists have a fun tradition of doing an amusement park on Christmas Eve morning, and this year was Legoland. Thanks to Bob and Kari for the three month passes. We look forward to going again. It was pouring rain as we were driving there, but thankfully it cleared up fairly quickly once we got there. It ended up being a really nice day. 

Parker loved seeing everything. He'd been once before, but we saw and did some new things this time. 

 This is a musical fountain, where you stand on some pads it makes music notes.

Everyone was getting in on the action... I especially enjoyed Grandpa Bob jumping around!

Parker always talks about wanting to ride a roller coaster. Well, they happened to have one he was just tall enough for, that was pretty intense for  a guy his size. He went on it with Pete and loved it. Can you spot him with his hands up? 

 Calvin and Clare driving. It's so cute how they give the kids a drivers license.

 Parker and Lex are the best of friends. So sweet.

 The whole crew. We were quite a group. It was fun being able to break off so the older kids could do bigger rides while the younger ones did other things.

 Parker and me in front of the lego tree. You forget that everything is constructed from Legos. It's pretty amazing what they are able to create.

 They had an awesome snow park (better than Sea World's). Parker loved throwing snowballs at targets.

 Dave helping Jo go sledding for the first time.

 Whoa!

 Lego Santa. Ho ho ho! The only kid of Santa Parker got near this year.

  Lego San Francisco.

The second half of the day we drove up to Yorba Linda and spent it with the Lieber's. That post will come next.