Starting Fresh

Mark: Starting off the new year with new goals of fitness - both physically and spiritually.  He's starting a more full time position at Strongbrook as a Project Manager / Operations Manager. (Click right about here if your interested in what the company does) Going back to a 8-5 job is going change the routines of the family a bit; being that we've been self employed for the last 4 years. But we're excited to be on a path to retirement in the next 5-7 years. A few years of work will make that a reality. He still hold his Real Estate license for Utah and Salt Lake Counties and will continue to work in that field as well. He is training for a race - say what? Yes, his brother has talked him into joining him on a Utah County half marathon in the spring. Has a new primary class that actually has more than 1 student. That'll make his weekly lesson preparations more worthwhile; knowing that there will be kids there to teach. He teaches the 5 year olds and says that it's fun but a lot of work.  He's interested in starting a cleaner diet ( I need to do my research to help support that ) and is determined to return to his physic of yore. Still enjoys a weekly basketball game with his guys; is very much into the show Chuck; and has picked up reading again. He's a busy guy with lots of time for family too.  It's awesome.

Kaylinn: Has just left her 2 part time positions to better preform at her full time Mom gig.  She has quickly learned that Cameron's attention span is a lot shorter than she had guessed.  She is ready to read books with him for 20 minutes; he is done after 2 pages. Weird, considering he'll sit with the iPad on his lap for an hour or more if she let him.  Has lists of hobbies that could take up to 40 hours a week if she let them.  Has recently learned card making with her Silhouette. Very primitive but fun. Has started a patchwork quilt with her mother in law; a weekly date over there has become something she looks forward to. Scrapbooking the family Yearbook - which isn't new but very fun.  She just completed 2013 and is anxiously awaiting it's arrival in the mailbox. Working on the family emergency food storage with the Sister In Law; a rough project but one that she is trying to accomplish.  Successfully started a family "command center" with the annual goals and theme; a few chore charts, and a calendar. It's not finished but it's a good start. Dreams of moving into a bigger, more permanent home where she can put photos on the walls and decorate it to her liking. Still works with the Young Women at church and enjoys serving there.

Cameron: 18 months old now. Officially started Nursery last sunday and took it like a Champion. Didn't even whimper until the return of his parents. Drew the picture, sang the songs, traced his hand; his parents hearts beamed with pride at their only child's delight. Favorite movie is currently Monster's Inc. (Mom and Dad support this being that we haven't gotten sick of it yet. We're going on 20+ viewings this year alone). Will often request "baka ba-key" (Mike Wazowski); and will then sit and watch almost the whole thing without moving. Can toddler-sing the Pirates of the Carribean song. Yo Ho Yo Ho...do do do do... Yo Ho Yo Ho.  (I realize that I've taught my kid that a Pirate's life, with Pillaging and Plundering and Drinking up, is the way to go rather than I am a Child of God. Hopefully this doesn't affect him in the end.) Likes the iPad. Especially the Disneyland App. Again, will play it for hours if I let him. Likes to read books, occasionally. Enjoys his blocks, occasionally, and LOVES the outside, almost always. Will grab his shoes and sit on the stairs to try and put them on himself; constantly asking "outside? outside? jacket? outside?"

We are happy, healthy, and ready for another delightful year together.

P.S. Mark walks in and see's the photo and says - wow, scary picture. What are you blogging about? Sadly, I thought the pencil sketch was cute. Different, and cute. My vote wins, but I may be in the minority.