Keeping up with our resolutions!

Well, as of this week I think I am doing pretty good keeping up with my 2013 resolutions.  This week, I took little Hannah grocery shopping ALONE!  It was the perfect opportunity, as Ella was up in her room playing and H&H had just woke up from their nap.  So, I snatched Hannah and got her ready to go.  Of course we left with a screaming Hailee chasing after us with her shoes :(  Hannah and I had a good time at the store!  I talked to her the whole time, we "played" in the cart a little, and she even got a little treat at the end of our trip.  I think she enjoyed our time together.  I plan to take Hailee out to do something alone one day next week.

Holding on to the list and her book.  She loves helping mommy!

Fun shopping trip!

Another resolution that we made a reality this week is:  we booked our trip to Disney!  We will not be going until September and we will be gone over Ella's birthday.  Paul and I are SO excited!  We can start booking character meals and fun things in about a month (has to be 180 days before the trip).  We are staying at the Art of Animation Resort and it looks like so much fun!  We will be in a Finding Nemo Family Suite.  The pool looks amazing too!  I have a long time to look forward to this vacation, but am excited to plan everything as time goes by!

My other resolutions have been going good too.  I have not been running, but this weather has been awful.  I did do a cleanse a couple weeks ago and have lost 10+ lbs since that started.  Once the weather gets a bit nicer, I will definitely be outside walking and running a lot!  My photography business is going well also!  I have many more sessions in the next couple months than I did last winter.  Winter is generally the slowest time for me since I don't have a home studio but I have been booking newborns, little kids, and even some families that want outdoor photos regardless of the weather. Hey, I'll take it!  The only resolution we haven't even come close to conquering is the paci-free one.  Eh, and to tell the truth, I really don't care!  Ha!

Have a good weekend friends!

NYE Resolutions 2013

I've been thinking about my New Years Resolutions for 2013.  I generally do not make resolutions.  I see them as things that are normally broken or not achieved (at least for me) so what's the point?  This year, however, there are a few things I would like to accomplish.  I figure if I have them down on paper (or the internet) I am more likely to work harder to accomplish them.  Below is the list I have come up with:

• Run a 5k.  This is something I've wanted to do for a while.  I had talked about it with a few friends casually last year and what do you know, it never happened.  I am really working on my health this year and exercise/running is a huge part of that.  I am thinking of going for the Color Run in July.
• Grow my photography business.  In 2011 I had 26 photo sessions.  In 2012 I had 44.  I am hoping for 75 photo sessions this year.  Yes, it seems like a large number.  But, I feel like I finally have it.  My clients are always happy, and I am happy with the images I deliver.  Of course I can get better and can certainly improve, but I feel confident with the way business is going.
• Spend more time with my children individually.  I spend a lot, really a ton, of alone time with Ella.  We shop together.  We run errands together.  We do a LOT of things together.  It's easy to take her along and leave the twins with Paul.  I really want to spend more time with Hailee and Hannah individually.  I know it will be hard on Ella for me to take one baby somewhere and not her but she will have to learn that she is not the only one that gets to do "fun" things alone with mommy.  I really don't think Hannah or Hailee know what it's like to even be apart.  Like, ever.  The only time that they ever go anywhere without the other one is to the doctor when only one is sick.  I hope that can change this year. 
• Vacation to Disney.  I don't really know that this is a resolution, more of a goal.  Well, not even a goal.  Maybe a wish?  Ha!  Well, I really want to take the kids to Disney.  When our trip to Disney with Ella was cut short last year because of Hannah and Hailee getting sick, I have wanted to take everyone back since.  Ella still talks about Disney all the time!  She constantly wants to look at the photos from our trip.  She always says "wanna go back, wanna go back to Disney!".  I want to take Hailee and Hannah before they are three and while they are still free to the parks.  At $85/person per day that is a big savings!  I am thinking September time frame, around Ella's birthday.  My challenge will be talking my husband in to the fact that yes it would be fun, yes it will be challenging with all of the kids, but they would love it and it will be worth it.  
• Have this house paci-free!  This resolution really needs done like now.  I'm really hoping by the end of this month or beginning of next we can conquer this one!

I think that's it.  I'm sure if you follow this blog, you will know which resolutions I accomplish!  I am hoping to achieve all of them! 

Enjoy a few photos from our low-key New Year's Eve!

Ok, how often do I get a photo of all of them smiling (without Photoshopping in a child)?  Never!  Well, until now!  This is now one of my favorite photos of the three girls!

Cute and happy girls!

Somebody wants their paci...

and she's better!

This little girl stayed up until 12:30am on New Years!  H&H stayed up until almost 10:00pm.  We were real party animals :)