Dance Pray Love

Happy 2013!

I've decided to "publicly" post some of my New Year's resolutions in the hopes that it will help me be more accountable.

1. In an effort to read the whole Book of Mormon by April, it's my goal to read about 4.5 pages a day.

2. Say my personal prayers every day. No exceptions! :)

3. Because I can't seem to face running outside in this miserably cold and inversiony weather, take advantage of my new Christmas present from Joe and play Just Dance on my Wii for at least 30 min. a day. Yeah!

4. Be more patient with Keats and stop visibly favoring Byron. It's hard though.

5. Be more outgoing in my new ward and fool people into becoming my friends. With candy and affection.

6. Be better at showing my appreciation for things people do for me.  And call my mom more just because.

Although I've never read the book or seen the movie "Eat Pray Love," it seemed to generally be a good and catchy motto to help me remember my priorities everyday. (With a bit of a adaptation, since "eating" isn't something I need to work into my goals, and "Starve Pray Love" wasn't as optimistic sounding.)

A day in the life of a cat

I know, I know. The speed of my transformation into a cat lady is appalling. Just think what awesome picture posts I'll have when I have human kids, though!

Why aren't you paying attention to me?
Maybe if I sit up here you'll be forced to look at me.

Hmm. That didn't work. Let's try this. Look what I can do!

Muwahahahah! It worked! Attention at last!!!!
Wait, no, don't do that! That tickles!

Hah! I told you I could jump up here to the third shelf!
Um... can you help me get down now?

Yes!!! They forget to close the toilet lid! AT LAAAAAAAST!
That fresh-filled-twice-daily filtered water in my bowl is GROSS!

Okay you can close the lid now!

What?

They'll never find me here!

What is this curious white stuff? I must kill it.

ERMERGERHD! It's a SCHTICK!

Hey, guys! I took care of that pesky paper towel roll for you!

...MUST... GET... ICE CUBE!

...MUST... GET... WHATEVER'S AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS!

Bow down to me, plebeian humans.

Time for another nap.

Halloween Party!

On the Saturday before Halloween, it was fun for us to have a bunch of our friends over, who hadn't yet seen our house. We had a costume contest, pumpkin carving, taco soup eating, and movie watching ("Coraline"). Here's some pics:

Kristi as Prof. Trelawny

Holly and Russell as the bullies from "Arthur"

Joe and me as Shaggy and Velma

Tom and Lauren as Bert and Mary Poppins

Let's see. In other news, my sister-in-law Keren had her baby this past week! His name is Roman James. He's so cute! I love him.
Also, a bunch of my coworkers talked me into running a 10k with them in Moab in December, so we have been training for that the past couple of weeks. It's actually worked out perfectly because we run right after work, like at 5 p.m. so I don't have to wake up early, or come home from work and then instead of relaxing, trying to work up the motivation to go running. So it's been great for me.
And, as promised, here are some pictures of our house! I'll post more as I get rooms "done."  :)

It's a twin home. The neighbor's side starts where the tree is on the left.

Kitchen

Eating area