2011

I think 2011 was the best year I've had so far. It was full of fun, family, and happiness.

We had so many vacations and family gatherings that there was always something fun to look forward to!

• A move in March to our current home.
• Visits throughout the year: Rob's parents, my dad, Dan and Kim, Amber and Steve, and Reuben all came to our home this year.
• A Salt Lake trip in July (just Collin and me).
• Reuben and Dana's wedding in Ohio, where I was able to go, along with my parents and all my siblings.
• Our DC/PA/NY trip that we had been looking forward to for so long!
• Collin's first birthday
• Katie and Justin's wedding in Washington, where all my family was in the temple together.
• Our first Thanksgiving and Christmas on our own, in our home.

We have been so blessed this year! Rob loves being a student, and I love being a stay-at-home mom. We love each other, and we love our boy. We love our home; we feel peace here. And we love the Gospel, and everything that comes with it.

We have made lots of new friends this year. We're so lucky to be surrounded by so many good, fun people.

We didn't make any New Year's Resolutions at the beginning of 2011, but I feel like we have accomplished or improved on any goal we would have made. We have worked hard, and improved on many aspects of our lives, and this has brought us so much happiness. Here are a few resolutions that we didn't set, but that we are proud to have accomplished this year:

• Running. Rob trained hard for and ran a half marathon. I reached my goal of running 10 miles straight a few weeks ago, and did it again today. We have loved getting in shape this year and have accomplished things we never would have thought we could do.
• I gained a lot of confidence in the kitchen. Before we had Collin, I always worked into the evenings and never had time to really learn how to cook a variety of meals. I tried tons of new recipes this year, including a whole month of only vegetarian recipes, and got into good habits of planning ahead to have dinner ready at a normal time each day. 
• Scripture study. Both of us have improved in our efforts to have personal scripture study in our daily routine. 
• School. Rob has done a great job of balancing school, church, workouts, and donating plasma for extra money. He is always busy, yet he takes on lots of responsibilities when he is at home as well. He is the best husband, and dad to Collin.
• Collin has learned a lot this year too. . . I think if there was one resolution I would have made for him at the beginning of 2011, it would have been for him to become a good sleeper. And he has! :)

I hope that in the future, I can remember that I am the happiest when I am putting forth effort to improve and progress, and when I spend my time doing things that are worthwhile. This year has been nothing but happy! So thankful for everything we have received this year. Excited to see what 2012 will bring!