Welcome, 2015!

Happy New Year to everyone! I have to admit... New Years has never been my favorite holiday. The concept of setting goals and starting fresh is great, but let's face it. Most of the time, I am setting myself up for failure. Normally I have a list of about 20 goals I want to accomplish, and I do pretty good until about March. Last year I even decided to split them up and only do one a month. I didn't even make it through the first month. So, for people like me, who enjoy making lists and goals but not following through, New Years can be somewhat depressing.

HOWEVER. With that being said, I wanted to take a new look at my constant failure of New Year resolutions. This year, I wanted to pick one. Just one. I am currently serving in the Young Womens in my ward, and loving it. Our theme for the year is "Embark in the Service of God". As I went to the kickoff fireside last night, I decided that this was the thing for me. Sure, I'm not technically a "youth" anymore, but God still needs me. This year I want to serve. I want to serve my family. I want to serve my neighbors. I want to serve friends and strangers. I want to serve my God. Too much of my life has been spent on me, and perhaps that's my problem. I am always looking how to improve myself and make myself happier. Last night it was made very clear to me that the way to happiness is through service. So although professional goal-setters may tsk, I am leaving this one open for myself to explore. No more lists, no more checking things off. Just serve. And don't do it for recognition, do it out of love. That is my goal. I am on my way to being a better servant of the Lord, in the walls of my own home and out.

"The ultimate measure of success is not in achieving goals alone but in the service you render and the progress of others." -Preach My Gospel, Ch. 8.

Bring on the new year!

July Random

And here's my usual end-of-month random pictures. This kid loves to just sit and look outside. 

They love looking at each other in the car.

Super fly.

Daddy's idea of funny.

My little artist.

Boys will be boys. Stockton and Calvin.

Hello, hello!

Vegas Part 2

As Craig pointed out on our way to Las Vegas, we never really go down to the Strip or do anything more than swim... Lol. So I promised him this time we would! We went to a buffet at the Bellagio, and then walked over to Caesar's Palace after watching the Bellagio fountains. It was beautiful weather, and it was so fun to just spend time with this handsome man that I married. We had a great time. 

And of course, we swam. Brooklyn had more fun than ever, I think, because she learned that with her new puddle jumper she can swim by herself. So she was jumping in and swimming without any help! It was fantastic. Stockton liked it a lot too, although he was pretty cautious.

Surprisingly, Brooklyn slept really well on a mat at the foot of our bed. We don't usually share a room with her, but we had to so Stock could have his own. And it went really, really well. Hooray! I always love visiting my home!

Welcome, Baby Reverie!

I am so, so excited to announce the arrival of Reverie! She is such a treasure to us, and I'm so glad she's here! We got to go down to Vegas and meet her. She was born on July 16. Such a sweet little baby! Matt and Jen are thrilled to have her, and it warms my heart to see these new parents with an extra sparkle in their eyes (possibly from lack of sleep... just kidding). She is going to be a blessing to our family, and I love her so much already. Here she is with her cousin Brooklyn (who adores her!).

Our baby... Lol.

Our actual baby. Gosh I love that face!

Brooklyn on the way down. She loves her new headphones to watch shows in the car. This face makes me laugh.

 And here she is playing the cello with Grandma Hanks. This was her favorite activity (besides swimming), and every time Mom got her cello out Brooklyn was right there to "help"! My mom is the best.

Shootin' Vids of the Kids

Here's some pictures of my little cuties. I missed them when I was at camp!

We finally got these pictures up once we took a family picture for our mantle last month. Now my picture wall is complete! Love it!

And this poor girl has been sick with the flu, throwing up all day and night. Poor baby. :*(

Girls Camp

Well, I was lucky enough to be able to go to Girls Camp this year! It was a blast. It was a stake camp this year, so I didn't have to plan too much of it, and I just got to go and hang out with the girls. It was AWESOME. We had so much fun together, and I got to know they girls and leaders so well. We had a color war, horseback riding, archery, swimming, hiking... It was so cool. I have lots of fun pictures! Here are just a couple of our adventures. 

I love these girls so much! So much that I will push aside my dislike of nature and sleep in a tent for a week (on a cot, thanks to Heddie!). They are all so amazing and I look forward to many more fun experiences!

On a side note, girls camp was very emotional for me because we didn't have phones, and Matt and Jen were in the hospital having their baby! There were some complications and she was in labor for 2 days I was there, and I kept having to go to the empty cafeteria to call from their landline to see how everyone was doing. Lots of tears, prayers, and stress. It was hard to be away when I felt like they needed support, but Miss Reverie is healthy and happy and with us now!

Climb Every Mountain

As part of our dating experience, Craig and I decided to go rock climbing! It was so fun, except I am soooo out of shape. I was so sore after just the first climb. And needless to say, I didn't get very far. We had a great time though. This is as outdoorsy as I get, folks. Love my husby!

My game face.

Everyone else did really well, though. They did awesome!

Here's Craig at the top!

And here's a random video of the kids. I like these. This is Stockton's new favorite game!