Already another year gone! 2012 didn't have very many big moments in it, but it was a really big year for our family. We grew and changed a lot! Here's a list of all the bigger things that happened:

• Holly became free of diapers!
• Greta turned 1
• We started budgeting, seriously
• We spent a weekend in Tahoe
• We went to LA for a wedding
• Greta learned to walk
• We moved to a new apartment (same city)
• Holly turned 3
• We visited Calgary
• I ran my first-ever half marathon
• Holly and Greta took ballet lessons

Last year, my broad, "not too personal to share" goals were:

• take better care of myself (ie: get more than one haircut in 2012)
• grow my testimony
• sew more for myself and my home
• have FUN!

I did get more than one haircut (I think) and I took much better care of myself physically, my testimony is a million times stronger, I didn't really sew more for myself, but I did sew a little more for my home, and we did have a lot of fun. Doing more crafts with Holly was so fulfilling to me as her mother and we are stronger in our relationship because of it. 

In the last week or two, I've been thinking about what I want to accomplish this year. I had a lot of personal victories of 2012 that were so sweet and so precious. I feel like 2013 holds a lot of unknowns for me, but I hope I'm ready for it. So here's what I've got so far in terms of goals:

• Pay off all our debt (this is a family one and we've sacrificed and scrimped but so far we've managed to pay off an impressive amount in a short amount of time and I'm really proud of us!)
• Find a new rythym for physcial exericse
• Sew more for myself
• Experiment with some "extreme" diets, for example, vegetarian, gluten-free, vegan
• Mother with intent and purpose
• Find happiness, regardless of my circumstances
• Keep some plants alive
• Become a citizen of the USA
• Laugh more

What are your resolutions?

PS: I found this talk by President Uchtdorf to be really thought provoking. 

On Boxing Day, we packed the girls up in the car and headed to the Oakland zoo, even though as were were leaving our home it was pouring rain. The girls had been crazy leading up to that moment - the consequence of Christmas I guess and there was no way I was going to spend the morning with them in our apartment. So we pushed forward, and made it to the zoo at opening time. We had a little bit of rain and it was nippy (it's been a cold winter!), but we had the best time. We went up and down all the hills and saw all the animals at least once. We rode the skyride (special treat) and were able to see the lions perfectly. We ended our trip with lunch in the empty outdoor theater and our own family's performances. It was a beautiful day. 

Conor and I have an open conversation about gifts and giving going almost all the time. I feel like we nailed it this year. The stockings had the perfect amount of things in them and nothing that's just gonna get tossed in a few days. And the other gift we gave them was a play kitchen. And that's it. And I know they feel loved. Holly knows the kitchen is from Momma and Papa and Greta has already gotten an amazing amount of play. It's so rewarding to have at least one child who loves toys. I feel really good about how this Christmas went. The girls get so many gifts from grandparents and aunts, that us giving them one big gift was perfect. Obviously we won't be giving them a play kitchen each year, but I like the idea of giving them one bigger, more expensive gift, or giving them each one individual gift of higher quality. We received so many thoughtful gifts this year. It was really lovely.

I loved opening gifts at our leisure with no time table, no expectations. Just relaxed family time. We opened toys and played with them as we went and got to enjoy each gift in the moment. It was a major win-win! The girls exchanged gifts too, which was adorable. Holly was so excited for Greta to open her gift, she even blurted out what it was as Greta was opening it. Fortunately Greta was oblivious! 

Our second Christmas tradition we began this year was a souvenir from Santa Claus left by the milk and cookies. This year he left chocolate coins from other countries. I'm excited to get creative and maybe add a little learning (for me and the girls!) about Christmas traditions in other countries as I think of small treasures for Santa Claus to leave. This tradition was a happy accident and I'm so happy about it!

Our tree has come down, but I haven't taken the play kitchen out of our living room and put it in the girls' room yet. I'm enjoying their happy noise so much! When we came home from an outing yesterday, Greta exclaimed in a gleeful, excited voice, "my kitchen!"

What a fun year! It's the best to have two children who are beginning to understand Christmas - so much magic. On Christmas Eve Day, we baked traditional Swedish Gingerbread cookies and after naps we delivered some to friends. While I made supper, Conor played our new game with the girls. Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel. One tradition that began this year is to open a new game on Christmas Eve and play it. I was sad to miss out on the first games, but happy that the rest of the family had something wonderful to do together. It was a real treat to listen to their happy noise while I made pizza. 

We left cookies out for Santa, read a bunch of books and tucked the kiddos in bed. Smoothest bedtime ever! And then Conor and I got to work. I made cinnamon rolls and stuffed stockings while Conor built the girls' new play kitchen! It was a late night for me and an even later one for Conor, but so totally worth it! 

Today, the ladies in our little families wore our Sunday best to church. I made a tulle skirt for myself with my spoils from Britex Fabrics in San Francisco. I put an exposed metal zipper in, which was really tricky, first because I've never done an exposed metal zipper and second, because the fabric is so dang slippery. I totally want to do more exposed zippers - I think they're sexy. 

This morning, I woke up early so I could curl my hair. I love doing my hair like this and it's a special treat since I don't usually do much, but I am trying to do this a little more. I forget how long my hair is until I see photographs of myself, or I have to blow dry it. I like my hair like this, and I'd like it better if it would insta-dry. Fortunately I only wash my hair every 2-3 days, so it's not so bad.

Greta insisted on wearing her grubby, hand-me-down vans today. Her pretty gold shoes just wouldn't do it for her. Her style today was skater girl glam. Our girls have their own style. I'm trying to just embrace it. 

I hope everyone enjoyed church a little extra today.