Happy New Years

I rang in the New Year by myself this year as Justin went to bed at 9:30 last night....

I enjoyed watching the Magic Kingdom fireworks and also eating some pecan pie though!

New Years always brings me to a time of reflection and connection. Reflection of the past year: what happened, and what I've learnt. Connection to the next year: Where do I want to be and what can I improve in myself?

I have a love/hate relationship with resolutions. I love making them. I love feeling motivated and inspired. But at the end of the year, I look back and I hate when I realize that I haven't accomplished much. Justin has mentioned that it's easier to break down the long term goals (even just for the year) into shorter short term goals. So that's what I'm going to do. I'm going to focus on the next four months (in four months, we will have a new baby and I'll reevaluate my goals once our new life has become our new normal.

So here are my goals for the next four months (Based around the 7 Oola's)

Faith

Daily scripture study, daily prayer, weekly FHE, family scripture reading for the Come, Follow Me program (incorporated into our bedtime reading) and regular temple attendance (once a month)
Attend YW activities once a month

Family:

Weekly family counsel meetings. Regular family walks (M,W & F nights)

Fitness: 

Obtain more flexibility and stamina. Do pilates and/or yoga twice a week. (Tuesday and Thursday nights when Justin's at Jiu Jitsu.) I also want to eat better by not snacking so much. Limiting  weeknight TV watching will help in this area.

Field: 

Fun:

Crochet projects: Slippers, scarf, Ella's scarf, Valentine garland, Easter egg carrots

Friends:

Connect with one friend once a week. Either "coffee" date or playdate or something...

Finance:

Stick with a budget and kill our debt.

Christmas at the Lake

On Boxing Day. we celebrated Christmas with Justin's aunt and uncle at their lake house in Alberta Beach. We spent the night there and we played some games that evening

It was nice to spend time with his side of the family. (Although we had a rough sleep and the kids were getting bored because there wasn't a lot for them to do so next time I'll bring more activities...)

Christmas Day

Today was Christmas day and it was quiet, simply and wonderfully perfect. Justin and I were up before the kids so we got to embrace the quiet morning together. I made some hot cocoa and ate some breakfast.
Our solitude was quickly interrupted with the thunder of little feet trotting excitedly down the stairs.

The room was filled with laughter and excitement as the littles opened their gifts. They were all impressed and grateful for what they had received.

The rest of the day was very laid back. We watched the Muppet Christmas Carol for our Christmas Day tradition and we really enjoyed our family time.

Jeannotte Christmas (Dec 23-24)

This year, we spent Christmas with my parents on the December 23rd and stayed the night through Christmas Eve. We went to the Live Nativity in Spruce Grove on Dec 23rd which was cold but really neat and I felt like it was a good way to spend time on the family. We came home that night at drank hot chocolate and ate some cookies.

Every night in December the kids open up a Christmas book to read. This was December 23rd's

The next day was Christmas Eve which began with a delicious breakfast and then some crafts and relaxing throughout the afternoon. There was also a nice dinner and some gifts to be opened from Oma and Opa.  The evening wouldn't have been complete without dessert and Christmas Eve wouldn't be complete without our traditional Christmas Eve PJs!

One of my favourite things to do at Christmas- crocheting with a fluffy blanking watching Christmas movie

Christmas Eve traditional PJ time!

Crafting

This Christmas season has got Justin and I working hard on our gifts this year.  It feels a bit like Santa's workshop in our basement :D

An elf hard at work

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A felted campfire for the kids

With squishy flames, logs and rocks

Also includes a smore kit!

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Playsilks dyed with Kool-Aid

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A dolly diaper bag for Lily including diapers and wipes!

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A shark pillow for Ella

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I also crocheted matching slippers with grippy soles for my sisters kiddos. (Which I forgot to take a picture of!!) I'm actually really proud of these- they have rubber outer soles and minky inner soles which is a technique that I have been working on by myself.

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Justin made wooden animals for the girls, wooden cars for Theo and an essential oil shelf for me. He also got into leather crafting this year and made me a bracelet. He also gave away other fine creations like wallets, passport holders, a belt and other little things.

 

It's been eventful! (and a bit exhausting haha) but I'm so excited for Christmas morning!

Boisvert Family Christmas Photoshoot 2018

For the past week, I've been preparing our annual living room photoshoot and I'm really excited about the outcome!

WISE Winter Faire

One of my favourite festival at the kids' school is the Winter Faire! It's a fundraising event which brings together the community. There's many activities including a Cookie Cave, Secret Store, Rope Making, Maple Taffy, Bannock, Fishing Hole, Candle making and crafts. Oh and a cozy cafe!

I invited my parents this year and I think they were impressed with the school.

The kids enjoyed themselves as did I... Can't wait till next year!