2011 Words

My words for the year 2011 are:

Pray

Eat

Love

You may recognize these words from a popular book and movie; I changed the order. I have goals associated with these words, but I will keep them to myself.

A few of you may have seen my original post on my words and goals for 2011. Due to an unkind comment I deleted the original. I realized that I am sometimes too much of an "open book," and apparently I'm not ready to take the mocking that came my way because of that. I hope that my blogging world is a place of encouraging words and uplifting comments and frankly, it rocked me when it wasn't. But I shall go forth and having learned a lesson, I will be a bit less forthcoming. I love reading blogs and writing mine. I have been inspired by the blogs of others, and I hope that my blog might be a positive influence in the lives of those who read it. This blog is a place to record my life and thoughts for my family and friends and future posterity. I want it to be an encouraging and uplifting place because, indeed, I believe that . . .

it's all good

My 53rd Birthday

I had a lovely day. We went out to lunch for Korean food. I like Korean food and we haven't had it for awhile. The best part was reminiscing about our Korea days while we were eating.



In the afternoon I wanted to spend some time outside skiing or walking or something, but it was just too darn cold to go outside. So instead I watched a movie: Eat, Pray, Love. I read the book a couple of years ago and I enjoyed the movie.



My husband spoiled me with new clothes and a lunch box from Old Navy that says: "Everybody needs a Sugar Daddy" ~ and I'm sure glad I have mine! My children surprised me with a beautiful quilt that I had my eye on and I was so happy to get it.



In the evening we had a Birthday/New Year's party with the extended family and it was really fun. We had yummy food, including a chocolate fountain, cheese fondue, little smokies, and dips and chips. We played a new dance game on the Wii , played more games, shared white elephant gifts and laughed our heads off and watched the ball drop in NY twice! It was a good day.

It's all good

Christmas is Over ~ Bring on the New Year

Even though I love putting up the Christmas decorations each year, as soon as Christmas is over I just want everything put away and a clean house for my birthday and the new year. Jenny and the boys helped me get the Christmas decorations put away on Monday evening and then I spent Tuesday and Thursday deep cleaning ~ sometimes I just get the urge to tackle every closet, cupboard and drawer! (Wednesday I was at the temple for my 5 am shift) It sure felt good to get that project done and now I feel like I can face the new year and focus on my goals for 2011.

I'll be posting my word(s) of the year soon.

Visit from the Francoms

We got to have a short visit with my niece, Dani and her husband, Brian Francom, and to meet their darling son, Carson. I haven't seen them since their wedding so it was nice to get reacquainted. Carson is an adorable boy and will become a big brother in the summer!

Christmas Morning 2010

We just had our three grown-up boys for Christmas morning this year. We didn't even get up until after seven! It was still magical and I'm glad we had these three handsome guys with us.

Christmas Eve Program 2010

Hammer family singing Silent Night

Brian playing guitar and singing

The children singing Rudolph

Joe, Alysha, Ryan, Michael and Brent

Christmas Eve Morn

Since Jenny and Trevor were spending Christmas Eve overnight with the Coxes this year, we wanted to do something fun in the morning before they left, so they joined me and Brian for some cross-country skiing. We went to Sundance and even though it was a little icy we still had a great time. Trevor is a natural at skiing, so even though he'd never been cross-country skiing before he did well; he fell down a lot because he was trying to do crazy things on skis! It was Brian's first time as well and he did well and enjoyed it and made me feel good when he said, "I can see why you like this, Mom!" Jenny has gone one other time with me, but she did much better this time and enjoyed it more. It was fun to take them to my favorite spot and sport.

This is my favorite pine tree on the "middle earth" trail, and three of my favorite people.

Here's the same tree a couple of years ago on a beautiful morning of skiing

And the same tree when I went horseback riding last fall.