New Year's Resolutions

We will return to Christmas pictures following this brief interruption.

1. Eat healthy, exercise more (I can't remember a time when this has not been my New Year's Resolution, why is it SO hard?)
2. Choose a church, commit to a church, get involved in a church, attend church regularly. (I feel so guilty about this! We have had the hardest time finding a church we both agree on that is close enough for us to be active in and getting involved. So, it has resulted in me attending by myself with the kids on Sunday mornings, us attending together on Sunday mornings somewhere else for a few weeks, me going back to my home church by myself with the kids, trying somewhere else for a few weeks... and basically it means we have no church home and the kids (Evan particularly) are missing out on Sunday School, etc. I really want to remedy this this year and I think Matthew is on board.)
3. Save money! (Still catching up from when I was on maternity leave)

So, there you have it. How many bets that number 1 is still number 1 on my list next New Year's? Why is it so hard?

Happy New Year!

Rice Family Christmas

Christmas at Grandmother and Granddaddy's

Christmas Morning Breakfast

Breakfast on Christmas morning at Mom and Lynn's house is a favorite tradition. This year the kids didn't make it out of their pajamas (I have a feeling it will get harder and harder to get there on time), but it didn't matter. It was a wonderful time to gather with family and enjoy a wonderful breakfast.

I think my favorite memory of this year's breakfast is my Granddaddy saying the blessing. I love hearing his voice in prayer and thanking God for the blessing of our family.

Trying to put her bow back in after she ripped it out...

My little bucket head. Evan used to do this exact same thing with this exact same bucket.

"Hand" That is what she says when she wants to drag you somewhere.

Merry Christmas...

from the (out of focus) family!

Another Tender Tennessee Christmas....

It's the only Christmas for me!

Stockings!

Presents on Christmas Morning!

After we checked out all the goodies that Santa brought, it was time to open presents! We took our time with our presents, opening and enjoying each one. It was so much fun to see the kids' excitement and also their joy for each other.

Maybe we have future doctors in our midst.

I've seen that look before...

that's the look of a worried mommy with a sick baby.

Chloe loved handing presents out!

Evan loved opening the presents Chloe handed out!

Chloe was pretty happy to open her share of presents, too!

My crazy girl!

When Chloe opened presents she had to take each little piece of paper and throw it in the garbage bag as soon as she pulled it off. She does not like messes. We love her for that!

The elefun game was for Chloe, but Evan was just as excited! He'd played that game at friends' houses when he was younger and had always wanted it.

Wouldn't she make a great big sister someday? ;)

Chloe helped Mommy open her present... a new Nicholas Sparks book!

It was really a magical morning to spend together... but wait, we still weren't finished! Next up... Stockings!