Snow Fun!

A few photos from the snow this winter.  The kids loved building igloos, jumping on the trampoline in the snow, and riding in tubes behind the snowmobiles.  I can't imagine loving somewhere without all four seasons -- it gets long, but it's so fun!

#RealLife

GOALS :: JANUARY 2020

I'm already a few days late, so this could be interesting -- haha!

*I forgot to add that I want to create at least one photobook this month.

Winter Fun List

Friday night the kids and I were watching Christmas movies in my bed and we put together our annual winter fun list.  Below are our top 5 winter activities.

Past Family Bucket Lists...

2013 Summer | 2014 Summer | 2015 Summer | 2015 Fall | 2015 Winter | 2016 Summer | 2016 Fall | 2017 Summer | 2017 Fall |  2018 Fall

March Goals Check Up!

Meal plan | Fail!  I guess I aced the plan, but failed to actually stick to it.

Make tax appointment & prep for them! | Check!  Literally, write the check {sigh!}
Get windshield replaced | This one isn't my fault.  I've called the guy multiple times.
Read a book | I read The Secrets of Midwives, When Breath Becomes Air, and Confessions of a Domestic Failure

Make a photo book | I can't believe I didn't order a free book!  In my defense we have been so consumed with all the house stuff! :(

Buy Easter Basket goodies for the kids | Nailed it! :)
Individual dates with the kids | J got to get a mani/pedi with Vanessa {our niece} and C and I went on a few little dates {out for breakfast, .  I'm going to miss having him home on Friday's with me when school starts! :(  Both went to SkyZone for a birthday party that they loved!

Go on a date with Adam | We went to our friend's house for dinner and had a different set of friends over for dinner, but both times included children.  Hopefully once we get moved we'll be able to get a real date night in!
Go on a family date | Lots of family time, but no real date.  We did ask the kids if they wanted to go out one night, but they opted to stay in a watch the Cubs game and make stadium food {which lasted an inning before the neighbor girls came over and they all went outside to play -- haha!}

Order maps for the kids' travel journals | Everything is ordered and I even started cutting them out!

With the current state of our life {I know I owe you an update!} I'm giving myself some grace here.  However, this recap has reminded me of the importance of scheduling.  If I put it in my planner it's much more likely to happen!

February Goals Check Up!

February's Check In...

Meal plan :: We made a meal plan, but for a variety of reasons {mainly house showings!} we only stuck to it about 50% of the time.  Still way better than it was in 2017, but I want to do better in March!

Read a book :: Check!  I read this book & this book

Make a photo book :: I actually KILLED this goal!  They had a super deal, so I made 5!  Yes, 5!

Don't buy any clothes! :: Check!  Didn't buy a dang thing!!

Wash my face every day :: Ugh -- I actually think I didn't worse with this than normal, I would say I was about 50%! Yikes!

Individual dates with the kids :: Check!  Jordyn painted pottery with me and went to the Father Daughter Dance with Adam.  I took Cullyn to Backyard Adventures for a morning.

Purge all drawers/clutter areas :: I did pretty good on this goal.  The Ankeny house is pretty decluttered.  I'll do the rest when we move.  I also cleaned out the Lakehouse, again just need to do the final yes/no on a few things when we move.  I also sold some stuff that needed to go {Adams old car!} Now I just need to find someone to take the piano!

Celebrate Valentine's with Adam :: Check!  We had a lovely dinner at Simon's for Valentine's.

Go on a family date :: Check!  We went skiing and the kids couldn't have loved it more.  I just wish we would have done it earlier in the winter so we could have gone more than one time this year.  It will be easier as the kids get bigger and we can go after school.  Right now, they just need more attention so we try to go under the 'perfect' conditions.

Update the kids' travel journals :: MO, TN, NC & SC  Well, I made progress, which is a start I guess.  I did Florida for both kids, and ordered maps for the other states.  Unfortuanly, I forgot I need TWO of each map, so I need to go back and order the rest of the maps - sigh!

Ice Skating 2018

Photos from a semi-warm January evening.  This was our second annual winter ice skating adventure.  Jordyn did even better than last year and was even ice skating on her own {though she prefers a skate aid so she can go faster}  Speaking of faster, Cullyn's main goal was to see how fast he can go...lol!  He actually enjoyed getting on the ice, which was a significant improvement from last year, but let's just say he's not as graceful as his sister! :)

Annnnd a blooper...  :)