Vitamix

We bought a Vitamix a couple months ago and I just have to say that I love it!! Yes, it is a little pricey, but the benefits way outweigh that. I highly recommend anyone and everyone to get one. I have been using it to make fresh fruit smoothies every morning for breakfast. Fresh soups, vegetable drinks, salsas, etc. I've been really concerned lately with all the crap that is in processed and prepackaged foods, and all of the pesticides that are on our fruits and vegetables. I've really been trying to focusing lately on the importance of eating unprocessed foods and fresh, organic fruits and vegetables as much as we can. I want to make sure that I am taking responsibility and feeding my family good, healthy foods, especially once we have kids. (I'm excited to make fresh baby foods in it!) I just think it's really important to be conscious of what we are putting into our bodies. I feel like I have been really out of touch with just how important it really is. I want to make sure that my family and I are healthy and strong for all the years ahead of us!

Broken : (

Erich broke his ankle on Monday while he was playing basketball. He was running down the court and as he jumped up to shoot, he launched off a fellow players foot instead of the ground and it snapped sideways. He has had plenty of bad sprains before but he could feel that this was different so he decided to go into the doctor the next morning to get it checked out. Turns out he broke a piece of his fibula bone off at the bottom. He doesn't need a cast but he needs to wear a boot for the next 4 to 6 weeks.

He came home and felt so bad because we had our trip all planned for California this weekend. He tried to tell me he'd be fine to still go but I decided the best thing would be to postpone the trip since we had a packed schedule full of amusement parks, hikes, and basically 5 days of go go go. Even though it's his personality to always be so optimistic, I knew that it would not end up being fun for him. He would be miserable and in pain the whole time. So even though it's going to cost a bit to move everything, I think it's definitely the right choice. And while I'm glad he's okay and thankful that it wasn't worse, I was sooo looking forward to that sunshine and 70 degree weather. Bummer! : (

A new year

Well here it is, a brand new year. 2010 was so good to us. So many good times and great opportunies. We have been blessed with so much this year. I feel really lucky and am so excited for what 2011 has in store for us. We have a lot of fun things planned so it's bound to be a great year!

 There are quite a few things I want to accomplish this year, or at least start. I need to start being more productive with my time, especially since I have lots of it with Erich either at work or school all the time.

Here are some of my goals for 2011:

Read at least one book every month

Train to run the Seattle marathon

Learn how to crochet better

Loose some weight (Why does this ALWAYS have to be a goal??:)

Start learning the piano

Read and pray EVERY day

Ride the Seattle to Portland bike race
Start my Spanish speaking videos
Complete a sewing project every month

Read the Book of Mormon by the end of the year

I hope that I'll be able to look back at the end of 2011 and say that I had a year filled with growth, learning, and adventure. It's going to be a great year!!

2nd Christmas

{January 1st}

We had a fun 2nd Christmas with the Winkler side. Lots of presents, lots of food, and lots of games. It's always so fun when Erich's parents are able to be up here. They really bring the whole family together. We're glad they are able to get up here regularly and can't wait till they're back for good!

This is the wrapping paper Erich's grandma used to wrap Erich's mom/aunts and uncles Christmas presents with. She had a big giant roll of it and Erich's mom is still using it to this day. I thought it would be special to frame a piece of it. Maybe I'm a little too sentimental but I think it's kinda cool how long this wrapping paper has been around! 

This little girl. I seriously can't get enough of her.

She's too cute. We need to get oursleves one of those things. :)

Gorgeous girl.

Aliyah in her new pj's from grandma.

Footy pajamas are the cutest thing EVER. I'm pretty sure we're going to have drawers and drawers full of them.

Bald brothers.

She can pull off any look.

Christmas

We had a pretty low key Christmas this year. We went to see Erich's brother in the hospital on Christmas Eve because he had surgery the day before. We visited with him for a couple hours and then headed over to Bethany's house for a yummy turkey dinner. We watched the Jesus the Christ video with their family then we headed back to our place to snuggle up on the couch with treats and watch Elf. We woke up the next morning to see that Santa had visited us! We opened presents, ate pancakes, and listened to Christmas music. It was a nice weekend.

One of Erich's co-workers gave us a Christmas tree so we have our very own now.

I don't want to take the Christmas stuff down, it makes it feel so cozy!

The loot.

Our ornament for this year, Homemade from Hawaii. :)

Canadian candy. That's where they make the good stuff.

Stocking stuffers.

Every household should have at least one Nerf gun.

Holiday party

{December 4th}

It was Erich's holiday party on Saturday and we had so much fun! It was at The Museum of Flight in Seattle and we spent the night feasting on prime rib, salmon, chicken, potatoes, yummy salads, and desserts galore! They had dancers and face painting and palm readers and photo booths. They gave away xbox's and $100 gift cards and tv's and weekend getaways to the Salish Lodge. Oh man it was quite the party! That was my first time at the museum and I thought it was pretty rad. It was fun just walking around and checking out all the cool planes and space stuff! They had all the flight simulators up and running so we had fun going on those. Probably not the best idea doing that right after eating a huge meal since we were back and forth and upside down! We made it out with our dinner still in our tummies though so it was all good. It was such a fun night out. I love when I get to spend time with my husband!

Sharks hug

This makes me feel a little bit better. As long as their intentions are good. :)