Tucson Christmas

Since I am not working in January, Tyler and I were able to take a nice, long break in Tucson to visit our families! We had so much fun! I love so many people in Arizona-- it's crazy. Calvin also successfully learned the names of all of his aunts and uncles, cousins, and most of my cousins too! He had new faces to learn everyday! What a guy!

Typical December evening at my mom's house.

Calvin on Christmas morning sucking on a candy cane that we had to take away due to extreme stickiness.

Calvin and all of his cousins!

It was a camo snuggiefest for the brothers. Elizabeth bought one for each one. I like that you can't really tell when one brother ends and another begins.

We spent New Year's in Mexico. It was wonderfully relaxing. Calvin loved the beach! It was only 60 degrees outside and he would run straight to the freezing cold water and jump in. He had such a blast playing with his cousins!

Here is Aaron's famous shrimp boil. Soooooo goooood.

And then it was 2011! I am very excited for this year. I get pretty excited with every New Year though. It might be my stage manager-ness, but I always like reviewing the previous year, buying a new planner, planning things, making goals and lists, etc. I am very nerdy when it comes to this. I just like the whole idea that the New Year brings. It's a chance to start over and make new resolutions!! (even if you forget yours by March every year).

Among my many goals and ideas for this year, I want to live with less fear. I get nervous and anxious a lot- especially about things I don't have any control over. I read this great book last month that has really changed my outlook on a lot of things. I really think that everyone (and especially women) should check it out. It's called The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker (Protecting the Gift by Gavin de Becker is also really great). It explores different fears that humans have, the purpose of fear, how we can minimize it by paying attention to warranted fears, and learning not to manufacture fear when it is unwarranted. It's a very fascinating read.

Another goal of mine is to read a lot more in 2011. Any book suggestions? I welcome them in the comments.

We started off the year with a trip to the zoo with some cousins. Here is Sophie and Calvin in front of the lion:

Can you see the pretty yellow bird?

Albino peacock?? I want this on a Christmas wreath. I don't want anyone to kill it, though.

Well, that's all the updates for now. Stay tuned for our next January update. We spent last weekend on a cruise!