Life Lately

Crazy that my last post was titled "Happy New Year!" and now it's already the last week of January.  This month has soared by and to be honest, I just haven't had much to blog about.  It seems like the entire month I have been fighting a sinus infection so my energy has been low.  We've kept pretty low key but it's been nice to just relax and slow down a bit.  There's nothing better than spending time with these three...

Keeler celebrated the 100th day of school last week (time seriously needs to slow down).  This week he's super excited to get to dress up like a cowboy (which he does most days anyway) for Kansas' birthday and he's also excited for Donuts with Dad tonight.   He's such a funny kid and always concerned about what he's going to wear.  His favorite is now button-down shirts and typically I tell him it's not an option for school days because they need ironed, ain't nobody got time for that.  I mentioned this week that maybe this weekend I could find time to  iron up several of them in advance... well last night, he helped me find the time, went and got the ironing board out and several of his shirts to nudge me along.  He sat on the bed and did his homework while I ironed.  The whole thing just made me smile :)

The Baker boys have been busy baking this month.  Tyler's grandma Shirley re-freshed him on making her homemade cinnamon rolls while we were there visiting.  Since we got home, he has been working on perfecting the recipe himself.  He's doing a great job and I've enjoyed taste testing - possibly too much.

This past weekend was filled with princess birthday parties for some of our favorite little girls.  Saturday was Ashton's Snowwhite party.  Both the boys managed to have a great time and luckily there were several other little boys in attendance so they felt right at home at the party.  Natalie did a fab job throwing a fun party and this mommy had fun selecting gifts from the "pink shopping isle."   

We also attended a Sophia the First party for my friend, Anne's little girl.  It was over-the-top perfection.  I'm sure Anne will post pictures soon on her blog so make sure to keep an eye out.  This picture above his Anne's husband, Toby, with their new little boy.  OMGosh, this baby boy is the cutest!  Toby and I worked together for several years when Tyler & I first moved to town (before Toby was married) and we became great friends.  I was always giving him advice on life, dating, etc... So he started calling me his "mom." It's absolutely awesome to see where life has led Toby.  He is so blessed and I'm so happy for him.  It was great to get to catch up with "my son"  and his darling family:)

Lastly, I've been working on decorating for Valentines and looking forward to a fun-filled weekend ahead.  My family is coming up this weekend.  We're celebrating my mom's and nephew's birthdays... and throwing in some Valentines festivities as well.  It will be a great cousin weekend.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!  It's 2015...

Here's a little video of 2014 in review I put together while bored in the airport.

Our year was so full of "good times."

For 2015 I have just a few goals/resolutions that might stick better if I put them in writing:
1) SAVE money.  I tried it last year but I am making a concerted effort to quit buying nonessential items, i.e., clothes {particularly for myself}, decor items and toys {after Christmas it's getting ridiculous up in the Baker house AND they play with NOTHING. nothing.}.
2) WORKOUT more but STRESS less.  Last year, I was blessed with a group of us girls running together in the mornings but once it became too cold we've turned to our treadmills but I haven't done too well and I've been beating myself up over it.  This week I'm doing better and will continue.  My alarm in set for 5am and will stay that way for the rest of the year.   
3) And most importantly, keeping my mind on the POSITIVE and APPRECIATE our many blessings.  No matter how bad {or good} my days, I will make an effort to stop and think about things and realize how good I really do have it. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8a 

Our Christmas

Per tradition, Christmas Day is spent at my parent's house.  This year we stayed the break at my in-law's house so after finding our Santa gifts (Mimi & Jim-dad spoil us) we headed over to my parent's for another wonderful Christmas celebration.

My 3 cowboys, my world.

My sister and her troop arrived a little later than us so Keeler had fun going through ALL the packages and making everyone a tower of presents in their assigned seat.  Over the year's we've figured out what works and where everyone belongs.

I tried to get a picture of the room... serious present overload!

We open one present at a time {this could kill an impatient kid} from youngest to oldest.

Oh, the joys!  Wonder what's in Jarret's sack??  Check it out here.

I had to sneak in a selfie with Kal to prove that I was there.  Love my little boy.

Kallahan, Jacey  and Grandma share a love for baby dolls.  Jacey was so sweet letting Kal play with her newest doll.  She carried this baby around all day long.

My mom is one of the most thoughtful gift givers.  She shops all year-round for everyone the most perfect gifts.  We truly appreciate the time and energy she puts into this one magical day.   

My parents wanted to get my sister and I one {more expensive} gift along with our others.  We debated on purses and such but once Shaeffer of Pinterest Told Me To... raved about her Lattice Cardy Uggs I knew they were a must... and so did my sister.

I have lived in them since.

We gave my dad some Texas Tech moccasins so it was only natural we take a footsie pic!

We always receive pajamas so as soon as we opened them, we slipped off our street clothes and got cozy.  It's Christmas, why not!?

I love our family Christmas!

In the evening, all my in-laws and one of my dad's coworkers came over for our traditional pajama / game night.

The kids have a blast playing...

and so do the big kids.  Here's our big boys after completing their tour of beer gift.  We're thinking about making this an annual tradition too.

The next few days we continued to have fun in Texas.

Tyler's brother made this horse racing game... we all thought it was so neat.

I love my two dads!

We went and saw the new Annie, went shopping...

took the little cowboys to Chuck E. Cheese's and just loved being around family.

Unfortunately, we ended our Texas trip on a sad note when we received news that Tyler's granddad in Idaho, Kaku, had passed away.  We last saw our beloved Kaku in May.  I will forever cherish this picture I snapped before Pops and Grandma Shirley left our house but not nearly as much as I will cherish the life lessons that Kaku has taught us all.  Live life to the fullest!   And that he did up until the very end.  

We love you Kaku.

Grandma always left six cinnamon rolls un-iced just for Kaku.

Tyler and I truly enjoyed our recent trip out to Idaho to celebrate your life.