I've added two more New Years Resolutions (#7 & #8) to the previous post.

2007 Here We Come!

Well, I'm finally caught up on the laundry and have restocked the fridge after throwing out all the spoiled food from our Christmas Holidays. It feels great to start off this year with a bit of organization around the house...a week late, I know.

Here's a list of my 2007 Resolutions:
1. Don't be on time, be early! I am perpetually late. Really late. I had issues with this before I had kids and it's gotten progressively worse with each one. I'm always doing so much that I hate the thought of sitting somewhere 15 minutes early - it's a waste of time! But, I hate the stress I feel when I'm running late even more.

2. Simplify life. I'm going to continue to find ways to simplify my life. Not every card needs to be handmade, not every layout needs to be a groundbreaking. It's ok.

3. Focus. I'm going to focus on the things that matter most and lessen my responsibilities for other things. This one is tough, because I truly enjoy everything that I do, but I've been running in too many directions for too long now. My family & friends and our business are my priorities and just about everything I do needs to contribute to one of those things - there just aren't enough hours in the day.

4. Exercise. A realistic goal for this one, for me, is to engage in physical activity 3 times a week. I have to face the fact that I can't make it to the gym like I used to. I have to be happy with taking the kids for a walk or doing pilates at home. I think my new iPod will help out with this one.

5. Eat a balanced diet. This one goes with #4. I find that I have a hard time committing to both exercising AND eating right, one is always lacking. So this is something I really have to work on, and to set a good example for my kids in this respect. I'm not going crazy and cutting out chocolate or anything, but just making better choices about what I eat.

6. Remember birthdays. This one really bothers me, and it's tough. It's such a simple thing, but with so much going on it's hard to remember to acknowledge my friends' special days. I'm going to work on this this year and I found a GREAT digi product to help me do it. Is that not the cutest? She even includes printable files to print 2 on a page quickly - LOVE that attention to detail.

7. Learn to make great coffee. I have a feeling I'll have to work at Starbucks for this one, which would be fun. But I have this great Starbucks Barista which I thought would just automatically make great coffee, but no, I'm going to need to work on it.

8. Create. This relates to my scrapbooking, card making and crafting. Last year I did really well with getting my ideas down on paper, and this is the year that I'd like to actually make them happen. It will be nice to have instant gratification with this one.

Now it's time to get ready for our sweet little girl to turn ONE. Yes, one already on Friday, Scarlett's first year went super fast!

Cheating Husband ;-)

We said $50 limit for each others Christmas presents this year... he got The Godfather trilogy & chocolate... I got a beautiful, pink iPOD, not a fair gift exchange, for his end of the deal. Isn't it cute, I have been wanting one for years and I'm so excited to get one. I packed up the kids in the double-stroller & took it for a walk the other day...it really pumped me up to listen to the tunes while getting some exercise. And now I get to shop for cool iPOD accessories...yeah! Thanks Cory!

Christmas Holidays - Boxing Day

Boxing Day was enjoyed by relaxing at Mom & Dads. The kids played with all their new toys and we had leftovers for lunch. After the meal, we all headed off to visit the oil wells. It's always a treat to have Mom & Dad take us out there for a tour where they have made their livelihood. Here's a photo of the 5 of us (Mom, Dad and us three daughters) in front of an oil pumpjack:

Oil well located Southeast of Oxbow.

We headed to the oil field in the van full of all the kids...they looked so cozy watching a DVD together.

The kids playing together so well...they really miss each other!

Ace & Auntie Christa...and Ace's new tiger flashlight (roarrr!)

Christmas Holidays - Christmas Dinner

Mom & Dad hosted Christmas dinner and it was delicious as usual. There was a smaller crowd this year, but it was still enjoyed by all. And of course, dinner was followed by the delicious traditional desserts...yum yum. Thanks for such a wonderful meal!

Christmas Holidays - Christmas Day

On Christmas Day were were all spoiled with gifts. Here are some photos of us unwrapping presents.

Sunglasses

Amber commented while we were on our trip, "Oxbow's not ready for these sunglasses!"

Happy Holidays from The Mercers

Our "Christmas 2006" family photo

Sisters

It's so great to have such wonderful sisters!

Great Grandpa & Scarlett

Great Grandpa Krieger was so happy that Scarlett would sit with him in her pretty Christmas dress...

...and even happier when she had a cuddle.

Scarlett's First Christmas

Christmas Holidays - Christmas Eve

Corey & Christa hosted their annual Christmas Eve dinner with both of their families. This year they treated us to a lobster dinner that tasted wonderful. It was a great way to visit with everyone and enjoy some holiday cheer.

Scarlett, Kelby & Uncle Scott

Nana & Papa

Serving the lobster.

Auntie Amber & all her nieces & nephews.

Later on that evening, Mom, Amber, Christa, Kyra & I attended the local United Church Christmas Eve service. Our family was involved in the service by lighting candles throughout the church; Mom was quite proud to have all three of her daughters there with her and to watch us light the candles in front of the congregation. It was a very nice service and tears were shared by many as we were all reminded of the true meaning of Christmas.

Christmas Holidays - Dec 23rd

Cory arrived at 6am after driving all night from Calgary...it was great to have us all together, we were so excited to see him!

Enjoyed a visit from Uncle Richard, Aunt Susan & their Granddaughter Amora (9 months) from Weyburn.

Papa, Scarlett, Aunt Susan & Amora - siblings with their Grandchildren

Kelby & Amora...she really took a liking to him.

Scarlett & Amora - checkin' each other out, very cute.

We also enjoyed a visit from Dale & Suzanne Dixon. Dale has worked with Dad for many years in the oil patch and this was our first time meeting his wife Suzanne. They were married in Las Vegas earlier in 2006.

Auntie Amber & Kyra on a last-minute trip into Estevan.

Oxbow Huskies hockey game. Kelby got to skate with the big hockey players, he looked so good out there skating around.

At the "Makin' Waves on Main" bar in Oxbow with some school friends: Jessica & Christy. I've known both of these girls since Kindergarten.

Thought this paper palm tree was hilarious in a Sask bar!

Christmas Holidays - Dec 22nd

Visited with baby Mercedes & Michelle Irwin, a friend from high school.

Watched Kyra's figure skating practice at the local rink.

Amber, Ace & Kelby watching in the bleechers.

Ace & Kelby killing some time at the rink - doing some coloring.

Family supper & cake in honor of Auntie Christa's birthday:

Amber & Starr's Sundae Night

Ok, this night was so much fun! It was like Amber & I were kids again...we had an ice cream sundae night & watched movies while Mom & Dad were out checking oil wells.

I was so pumped to have found peanuts!

We raided Mom's Christmas goodie stash...someone had to taste test everything, right!

Yum Yum!

The finished sundaes!

Christmas Holidays - Dec 21st

Our first full day in Oxbow consisted of:

Ace beginning the day with a shave...found Papa's razor.

The Aunties entertaining & feeding Scarlett.

Relaxing at Nana & Papa's home and seeing all that was new with their house.

Kelby at his first Christmas concert.

Kyra at her Christmas concert (hair-do courtesy of Auntie Amber). It was Ace & Scarlett's first Christmas concert & they both really enjoyed it inspite of it being well past their bedtimes.

Christmas Holidays - Dec 20th

Amber, the kids & I departed from Calgary at 7am and travelled in good weather for the 9 hour drive to Oxbow. The kids were great in the car! Cory stayed home to work for a few more days.

Amber drove the van most of the way.

Ace was all set in the car with his chips, doggie, drink, blanket and head phones.

Scarlett eating a cucumber.

We arrived safe & sound around supper time and our parents had a home-cooked meal ready for us. Then we got settled and started visiting that evening.

Great Aunt Sue & Uncle Garth came to visit from Alameda.

Amber's friend Matt from Calgary works in the Oxbow area with his own welding company. Here are Matt, Amber & Mike when they came for a visit to our parent's house before heading back to Calgary for Christmas (small world ehh).