Things to accomplish in 2012

Since it is a new year and we are getting ready to move I've been thinking of things I'd like to accomplish in 2012. These are not resolutions because let's face it each year I make them and each year they are not followed. So instead of naming this resolutions I'll name them accomplishments. Of course there is the ever present losing of weight, followed by eating better. Also I'd like to update this blog more regularly, and take more pictures. I've seen some challenges online for 30 day photos where you take pictures of something given for 30 days. Some other things that I'd like to do is craft more and that would make my craft wish list get smaller instead of bigger. Then there are the things I'd like to accomplish with Braydon. Once we move I've decided that I will force the potty training issue. We want to get him into preschool once we move and he will need to be potty trained. There are also accomplishments for us as a family and those are ones I know will be completed. Like the buying of a new house, and some new furniture. I'm writing these down because then I'm more likely to follow them. I believe 2012 will be a good year for the Hughes family!!!!

Moving out phase 1

Today we had the first step of our move out process. The movers came and packed almost everything and put it in boxes, then into crates. We had our good friend Kristy watch Braydon so he would not get in the way of the movers. They started off with five movers and had to call into two extra men to help pack. The whole process took eight hours, and we filled eight crates. All that is in our house now is some kitchen stuff, our clothes, a tv, and Braydon's crib. We are living on temporary furniture until we fly out of here in three weeks. Phase two will be done on the 30th and will be everything that is pretty much here now. Then we will be living out of suitcases until our stuff arrives in the US. We should expect everything to get there in about 60 days. Hopefully this is our last move. I love the fact that we get to live all over, but hate having to move and find a new house, new friends, and a new job. Three years left with Chris in the military and then we will be moving less frequently hopefully.

Etna erupts again

Mt. Etna erupted this morning. All that it left at my house is a lot of black ash. That means I get to go outside and wash everything down. I love having the view of an active volcano outside my kitchen window, I don't love the ash it leaves me as it's going away present. Add that to the list of things I won't miss when I leave here in a month!

New Years

It's hard to believe that 2011 is coming to a close. There are already things to look forward to in 2012. We start the year with our move to Virginia and looking for a new home. It will be nice to be back in the states, but hate the whole moving process. In the next few weeks we are having our house packed up and will be living with loaner furniture for several weeks. Then onto our trip back to the states with a 2 1/2 year old. Don't get me wrong I love my son, and I love to travel, but traveling with a toddler is not fun! Then we will be visiting family, picking up our new car, and finding a new home. Once things settle down we will be celebrating Braydon's third birthday. Then I guess it will be time for me to find a job. After not working for three years I'm not really itching to get back into the workforce. However, I did just finish my MBA and look forward to putting that to good use.

Braydon via my new video camera

Christmas

Up until the week of Christmas the weather was nice and it didn't feel like the holidays. I decided to make all of my Christmas cookies in 5 days! Needless to say I was in the kitchen every day and made way too many cookies for three people. Christmas Eve we spent the morning with some friends and the evening at home.  On the morning of Christmas Braydon woke up wanting to know what Santa brought him. He got a lot of presents but his favorite is the kitchen that Santa brought him. Well either that or the grill and shopping cart he also brought him!

We enjoyed the day at home in our pajamas and then skyped with everyone! Can't wait until next year when we are back in the states and enjoying with our whole family. 

Santa

A few weeks ago we took Braydon to see Santa. Last year he refused to sit on his lap and it was the same thing this year. We did manage to get him to do some crafts which is more then I can say about last year.