Christmas Day

Christmas Day was wonderful this year! Santa Claus was very generous - but did much better than last year - he totally went overboard last year ;) The kids were all so happy and very gracious for all that they received. We started the day out at home with all the kids in our bedroom. Before we went out to see if Santa came, we read the Christmas story and sang hymns. Jason and I went out first, then the kids came out one by one, youngest to oldest. Each of them were so excited when they saw what Santa brought!! We then opened presents and let the kids play for a little while before heading up to Sandy.

At 10:30 a.m. we went to Jason's parents for our traditional Christmas Brunch and the kids had a blast playing with cousins and opening even more presents. At 3:30 p.m. we went to my mom's house for our traditional Christmas Dinner. The kids performed an awesome play that they had prepared during the week before (The Christmas Carol) and they did an amazing job! It was actually quite touching. We then opened more presents and watched a movie.

We were pretty tired by the end of the day, but it only happens once a year and it sure was GREAT!!!

All Kelsea wanted from Santa was her own Christmas tree with decorations - he totally delivered AND managed to put a $15 Itunes gift card on the tree as an ornament (She recently bought an Itouch with the money she made off of selling her DS Lite and all her games).

Brianna was so happy to see High School Musical Dolls!!! (And even more happy to find out that two of her closest friends also received the same thing - hmmmm, does Santa coordinate amongst friends?) ;)

I've never seen Corbyn so excited! He wanted this Lego set more than anything, but I didn't think it was available in this country because that is what the Lego website said. Boy was he surprised to see it! (I wonder if Santa had his elves go to the Midnight Toys R Us sale and wait for four hours in line just to get this one thing? Hmmmmm, if he did, he sure must love my son!!!)

My cute, simple, Amber just wanted this darling game called Elefun and was super pleased to see it!

This was Landon's first, REAL, Christmas and he was overwhelmed with all the cars he received. He LOVES them all!

Jason and I were pretty spoiled as well and very grateful that Santa brought us some fun things to share with the entire family.

Don't you just love the bed head bangs? Not to mention the over the top smile! Love it!!

Christmas Brunch at the Barkers:

It's a tradition to have our family picture taken with reindeer ears and Santa hats (Keira was asleep in the other room.)

The fabulous spread of yummy food. Jason's mom goes all out!

It's a tradition for the kids to decorate Cake Trains with lots of yummy candy - they love it!

Larson Party at my mom's:

Liz

Ashley played the part of Scrooge in the play the kids performed

I wasn't able to get a picture of it, but Corbyn and Amber were husband and wife trying to get scrooge to donate to charity and it was the cutest thing I have ever seen!!! Corbyn totally came out of his shell and actually did quite well acting!!!

We had such a wonderful Christmas and my only qualm with it is that it went by way too fast!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is always fun for our family. Jason and I both have family party traditions that we both like going to, so we go my Grandma Hall's party first (around 5 p.m.), then we go to Jason's Uncle Danny and Aunt Kaye's house second (around 7:30 p.m.). It's a great night filled with food, family, presents, nativity, etc. and then, of course, the kids are always excited to go home and get to be before Santa Claus comes.


Danny and Kaye's Party:

Janee and her friend

Norma and her grandkids

Uncle Danny just had both of his knees replaced - ouch!

I love Jason's dad's face in this one - he totally knew I was taking the picture

Jason's Mom, Shannon, and Ben

Grandma Hall's Party:

The kids performed the Nativity Scene, just like my cousins and I did when I was young. (I particularly like Corbyn's ladies coat - too funny.)

My mom trying to get Landon to come to her

Me and my sweet Grandma Hall

Amy, Tiffany, Tara, Diane, Rob, and Jason

Ben and Jeremy

Tracy and Jared

My mom and sister, Tami

Jason and Me (now can you see why I am totally motivated to lose 20 lbs. - wow!)

Temple Square

We went to Temple Square with my family, including my sister's family from Indiana. We had a great time and the weather was beautiful. (My camera batteries ran out, so these are the only two pictures we got.) Everyone had a nice time, except Corbyn said his feet were like icicles and he wouldn't stop jumping around and complaining about it.

Like Mother, Like Daughter

I never wanted to force any of my children to like playing basketball as much as I do, and thank goodness I haven't had to. Kelsea LOVES it!

Look at that awesome reach

Nice rebound!

Kelsea had a great season! Her team was awesome and she had a ton of fun. I'm so excited that she likes basketball so much. I can't wait to see her play throughout the years!!

School Christmas Program

(Kelsea goes to a different school, that's why she isn't in any of the pictures)

The First Week

It's time for me to report my progress. I actually had a great first week. I really enjoyed the exercising and even though it was really hard to eat so much less than I am used to, it wasn't that bad. Here's a chart of what I did:

4 Jan - Bike 50 min., DDR 20 min, less than 1000 calories
5 Jan - DDR 15 min, 1100 calories
6 Jan - Weights 20 min., Bike 35, DDR 15, 1100 calories
7 Jan - Weights 20 min., Bike 45, Basketball 45, 1300 calories
8 Jan - Weights 20 min, Bike 34, Stairs 9, DDR 35, 1500 calories
9 Jan - less than 1000 calories

And the result, as of this morning on the same scale and at the same time . . .

I weigh: 178 lbs.

That's 6 lbs. lighter than last week and I am very excited. I really wanted to give in, yesterday, when we were at two different family get togethers and there was some super awesome food prepared, but I only had one serving of food at one of the parties and nothing at the other. Now I can see that it was worth it! :)

BIG and little (hopefully!!!!)

So, I have never been one to diet and I like to have goals and resolutions all throughout the year, but this year is going to be different . . . I am starting a very BIG goal and I am doing it for the new year . . . I want to lose 20 lbs. by my birthday in April. I have decided that I don't like being as BIG as I am and I would like to be little like I used to be. I am bigger than I have ever been in my entire life and I am not okay with it anymore. I have decided that in order to keep my goal, I need to be open about where I am at. I am going to track my progress on this blog and because I know someone might read my entries, I will be more liable for my progress.

I have been very fortunate to have a good enough self-esteem to not be depressed about my weight and how I look . . . in fact, I actually think 'I look goooooood" ;) . . . but after seeing myself in way too many family photos this year and realizing that I am officially the largest female on both sides of my family, I realize I am not okay with it anymore. I don't like being a little chubby, I don't like that my clothes don't fit right, and I don't like the size of my face (it just isn't me)! I was always so thin growing up and because I was an athlete, I never had to worry about what I ate (and believe me, that was a LOT!!!). I have always LOVED food and I have always eaten a LOT of it - I don't feel like there is an underlying reason why I eat so much (as Jillian on Biggest Loser would insist), but I sure do it, nonetheless. I think everyone probably has some type of addiction in their life and mine just happens to be food. Oh, drat.

So here's what I am going to do. I am going to tell you what I weigh right now and each week until my birthday I am going to do the same. I have committed myself to only eating one serving of each meal throughout the day, snacking on fruits and vegetables (or possibly yogurt or pretzels) and I am not going to be eating sweets (although, I found these awesome all natural fruit popsicles that are only 30 calories if I really need something sweet). I will exercise for at least an hour, 3 to 4 times a week, (which I love to do) and will probably exercise everyday except Sunday if I do not have other pressing commitments.

I really feel like this will help me lose the weight that I desire and hopefully by my knowing that someone else out there will be able to read my progress, I will be able to lose the weight faster than four months or lose more than 20 lbs. by my birthday.

I really do enjoy being in good health. I love to exercise, and I enjoy eating healthy . . . now I just need to do it!!! Wish me luck!!

By the way, I currently weigh 184 lbs., as of this morning, on my scale at home. I probably weigh a little more than that if I were to weigh myself at the gym, but I am going to go off of my home scale because that is where I will be regularly weighing myself. Besides, my goal is 20 lbs., so it really doesn't matter what scale I use as long as I use the same one. I know I can do it!

P.S. I have a lot of holiday posts I am going to put up soon, but I had to do this post first since it is my top priority right now. :)