Hey! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and have some fun plans for New Year’s Eve tonight.
We had a great Christmas. We spent it with Kev’s family up in Oregon. I love spending Christmas with his fam because they have a lot of fun traditions. On Christmas Eve, a lot of the family came over to Kev’s parent’s house. We sang Christmas carols around the piano, read Luke 2, Kev’s dad read a Christmas story (How Mrs. Claus Saved Christmas from Family Circle magazine 1961) that he’s read almost every year for the past 50+ years, we watched a short video and a few other fun things.
It was such a fun evening and so nice to be with family! <3
Christmas morning was a lot of fun too! We went to church and then came home to open presents. I actually like it when Christmas falls on a Sunday because it only seems natural to go to church on the day we celebrate Christ’s birth, right?
The kids could hardly wait to get home and open presents though!
Guys, I have three kids who are pretty “chill” and three kids who are “full of it,” lol! We have some big personalities in our family and it’s easy to see who some of those “big personalities” are in this picture, lol.
Here’s another picture that demonstrates another one of the “big personalities” around our house…
This kid brings so much light and laughter into our home. He was seriously born hilarious!! He’s been a wannabe superhero since birth. He was thrilled to get that light saber and he loved that bathrobe, lol!! He asked for a bathrobe for Christmas and when he opened it up he said, “this is my favorite Christmas present ever!” Too funny! He spent the rest of the day as a Jedi.
We enjoyed the day relaxing with family. I love Christmas! Actually, my oldest son’s birthday is on Christmas too….poor guy! Yes, he was born 18 years ago Christmas morning via C-Section (he was breech.) It was definitely a memorable Christmas.
I decided to dig up some old pictures for nostalgia’s sake.
OH MY WORD, we ALL look like babies! Those pics make me feel OLD…they were taken back in the 35mm camera days. Crazy. I also feel a need to mention that my face looks SO chubby! I’ve noticed over the years that my face has thinned out with age, which I think is really weird. BUT, my face also gets very pregnant when I’m pregnant! Serious. It “shows” just as much as my belly does, lol!
Anyway, we had fun celebrating my Christmas baby’s birthday on Christmas night with cake, ice cream, pie and MORE presents!
He got some Sony headphones, a McDonalds giftcard (he and his friends go there ALL the time!) and a “Snuggie-type” blanket thing that I got on Amazon.
It was such a nice Christmas and so fun to just have a relaxing day with family. 🙂
Oh, I also thought I’d share our Christmas card this year!
It’s always such a chore to get a family picture, but I’m so glad we do it every year!! We took this picture the day after Thanksgiving. I was happy to get a picture with everyone looking at the camera and smiling…all at the same time! It seriously was a miracle!
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Well, I have a few more random things to share (of course!) First off, I went to Trader Joe’s last week and loved it! I used to go to Trader Joe’s all the time when we lived in New Hampshire, but this was the first time I’d visited one in Utah. TJ’s is relatively new to Utah; I think they opened here about 2 years ago and there’s not one extremely close to my house.
Anyway, I went specifically to buy this…
I went to a Christmas gift exchange party a few weeks ago and I brought home this Lavender Salt Scrub and Coconut Body Butter, along with a few other things.
Folks, I have loooooved them both!! The salt scrub is such a great exfoliant (of course!) and it makes my skin feel so smooth, moisturized and just good. That body butter smells so good (I think it smells like a cookie!) and isn’t greasy at all. I also love that both of these products are made from natural, high quality, real ingredients. Oh and they are cheap too!!! I loved them both so much that I made a trip to Trader Joe’s to buy some more to give as a gift.
I also saw this while I was at TJ’s and I thought it was so interesting…
I’d never seen brussels sprouts sold that way??? You legit buy a whole stalk! It was fascinating to me!
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Well guys since New Year’s Eve is TONIGHT, I thought I’d share some of my New Year’s resolutions!
I love the New Year and I always think it comes right at the perfect time. The Holidays are so busy and full of so much good food and treats (which I love!), but it seems like once the New Year hits, I’m soooo ready for life to slow down a bit. I’m always more than ready to clean up the diet and get back to work! I love reevaluating my life, setting goals and making changes.
I’ve told you guys that I’ve seen some great results the past couple months in regards to weight loss, muscle gain, etc. and I couldn’t be happier about it. However, I’ve certainly been living up the holidays the past couple weeks and my body is starting to show it. I’ve definitely given back some of my progress, but I’ve been having a lot of fun! Ha ha!
However, the madness has to end. I’ve learned many times that as long as I don’t let my “throw all caution to the wind” sessions last too long, I can usually get back whatever progress I’ve lost quite quickly. If I’m lax for a few days, it usually takes me a few days to get back to “normal.” If I’ve been lax for a week, it usually takes a week to get back, etc.
So, I’m hoping within a week or two I’ll be back to “normal!”
I’ve set up some personal and spiritual goals for myself, one of which is being a better blogger! I’ve had so much on my plate the past couple of years that it’s been really hard to be a consistent blogger!! I really feel like it all comes down to organization for me. When I take the time to plan and organize, I’m so much more efficient! Soooo, I’m going to try to be more organized.
I’m also setting a goal to get my sleep! I’ve learned many, many, many times that sleep is vital to pretty much every aspect of my life! I’ve always struggled in that area. Sooo, I’m giving myself an 11:00 PM bedtime on weekdays.
Getting my sleep also comes down to planning and organization. When I get all the kids to bed on time (usually 8:30-9:00 for the little ones and 10:00 for the big ones), I’m still able to get a little bit of down time and get myself to sleep on time!
As far as exercise goes, I’m setting a goal to workout 5 days a week. I consistently work out 3-4 times a week all the time. I know if I plan and organize my schedule, it shouldn’t be too hard for me to workout 5 or even 6 days a week.
I love my gym, F45 so much!
It really makes it so much easier for me to workout consistently. I actually look forward to my workouts and don’t think of them as a chore. I also love that most of the workouts are only 45 minutes long and that they offer many different class times. It makes it so much simpler for my crazy schedule. I can usually find a time most days that I can fit in a quick workout. I’m so grateful for that!!!
As far as my nutrition goes, I’m going to go back to counting macros…at least for a little while. I really like counting macros because it’s so black and white and eye opening to me, however it’s also a big pain in the bum. Macro counting does help keep me accountable and consistent though. I love that about it.
I’m going to aim for around 1600 calories a day with a macro ratio of ~37% protein (150 grams), ~31% carbs (125 grams) and ~31% fat (55 grams.) I may cut the calories a bit on days I miss a workout or I may up the calories a bit on days I feel like I need more, but I’m going to try to keep within the ratio as much as I can. I always get results when I consistently stick to my macros!
I am going to allow myself ONE “free meal” on the weekend. I’ve actually read many times that indulging once in a while is actually good for the body. It’s good to feel satisfied and full and it keeps the body guessing. When we consistently eat a low calorie diet, the body just adjusts to that and results can start to slow. When we occasionally throw a higher calorie day in, the body likes it! However, it’s important to not let that “free meal” become several free meals….things can get out of control very quickly!
Well that pretty much sums up my goals for 2017…
- Be a more consistent and organized blogger
- Go to bed at 11:00 PM on weekdays
- Workout 5+ days a week
- Count macros and stay within my ratio
- Have one “free meal” a week
I also just want to share a few amazing deals going on with some of my favorite affiliate companies!!!
Fabletics is running the best deal I’ve ever seen them run!!
When you sign up to be a VIP member, you can get your first 2 piece outfit for only $10! That is awesome! It’s very simple to be a VIP member too. You just have to log in at the beginning of each month and either chose to buy something or not (you have to specify.) You can cancel at any time, no strings attached. Love it!
Under Armour is also running a couple amazing deals!
They are offering 25% off all UA Tech Gear (ends 1/8/17) and they are also offering 40% off select UA hoodies and fleece! Sadly, that sale ends tonight though. 🙁 Under Armour hoodies are my fav!!
I hope you all have a fun night tonight and have a fabulous 2017!!!
LOVE LOVE LOVE the family photos. It has been great getting to know you through your blog and so much fun seeing everyone grow up. My daughter turns 18 in 2 weeks and I can’t believe it. My pregnancy photos are the worse, my hair was so so gross.
I love Brussle sprouts and didn’t know they grow like that, thanks for sharing.
I am taking a blogging break starting today but will check back with you regularly.
Wishing you a wonderful 2017 and prayers to you & your husband for his health.
I absolutely love reading your blog and reading about all of your amazing adventures Karen!! Having my son turn 18 has been seriously weird. It sounds so old and somehow, I still feel 18!
I hope you enjoy your blogging break and I wish you all the best for 2017 as well!!
My oldest is 14 and I can’t believe how young we all looked back then, it doesn’t feel like it’s been that long…until I see the pictures! 11pm bedtime, I wish…said 14 year old started seminary this year and since we don’t live in Utah, his is before school starting at 6am. It’s brutal and I’m just as exhausted as he is!
Happy New Year- looking forward to reading more and following along in the new year!!
I know, seeing old pictures always trips me out. I don’t feel any older!!
Oh wow, I would struggle with early morning seminary. We lived in New England about 10 years ago and all the kids there did early morning seminary. Thankfully, I didn’t have any seminary age kids yet. A 6 AM start time would kill me! I always had a ton of respect for the teachers who were called to teach.
When I worked at Trader Joe’s a handful of years ago I was first introduced to the Brussels sprout stalk. I thought it was the best thing ever, and still do. HA! Happy New Year to you and your family!
Ha ha, I was just so mesmerized by that giant stalk. I had no idea they grew that way. I love TJs!
I don’t have a lot of resolutions, per se, but my fitness goals do include an earlier bedtime. Sometimes that’s harder than eating right!
I love your kids, and holy smokes you have a big family! Wishing you health and happiness in 2017.
I know!!! Getting to bed on time is my biggest struggle! Auuugh. Sleep deprivation absolutely kills every single aspect of my life, but apparently I need to keep learning that. 🙂
Ha ha, we do have a big family. Most days I’m half insane, but somehow we manage, lol! I wish you all the best as well Beth!!