Happy New Year!

2013--what a year!  It definitely took us in directions we never would have dreamed of, but here we are.  We evaluated our family goals to see which ones we met or came close to meeting and which ones fell to the wayside.  We know we can do better this year!  Here are some of the (both new and old) goals for 2014.

2014 Family Goals
1. Read the Bible together daily
2. Pray together daily
3. Go unplugged once a week
4. Weekly family bike rides
5. Hike at least twice a month
6. Be more neat and organized
7. Less complaining
8. Write and mail one letter a month
9. More one-on-one dates with each other.
10. Be joyful always.

We rang in the new year with our good friends Ben and Michelle (while the kids "slept" in the other room) and another couple friend of theirs.  We played games and shared stories.  It was an excellent night of fellowship.  We woke up this morning, had mini spinach frittatas, fruit, and toast and then opened our blessing jar from 2013 and counting/reading each one.  The jar was full, close to overflowing--with more than 70 blessings inside.  I notice that this was because we counted seemingly "normal" or average things as blessings.  And, it made my heart smile to read some of the simple things each of us considered blessings.  There were extraordinary things too--such as the new job for Peter and relocation back to CA.  But, overall, our mason jar was full of praise and joy for our daily lives.  This blessing jar is now a family tradition and continues into the upcoming year.

Another tradition is going hiking today.  This is the 4th year doing this and it was fun to explore a new trail near Avila Beach.  We decided on a sunset hike, so we embarked after de-decorating the house and storing the Christmas stuff for the next 11 months.

As I type, we're sitting down to do yet another New Year's Day tradition--watch I Love Lucy!  2013 was an interesting year.  We're excited to see what adventures and opportunities 2014 hold.  We hope your new year is filled with much joy and many blessings!  Cheers!

Don't they look thrilled to welcome in the new year (central time)?

Countdown until 10pm!  ;)

Brunch

 Our blessing jar

Almost overflowing!

Counting

Reading our blessings

We're thankful

New Year's Hike

Celebrating our 14th new year together.

Sunset

I got a selfie of the 4 of us!