First Post of 2016!

Welcome to 2016!  I hope your first day of the new year was SPECTACULAR!

I love starting a new year.  At midnight, the previous year is OVER!  You can't change anything about it.  It's another year in the record books.

This blog is inspired by a Brad Paisley song, and it seems only fitting to include some more inspiration from this fabulous country artist...

"Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365 page book.  Write a good one."  - Brad Paisley
So, imagine that you read that quote last night.  But seriously, if your life became a book, would anyone want to read it?

I love the new year because everyone reflects on their previous year, and we all make goals to become BETTER!  How awesome is that?

Before I delve into my hopes and goals for 2016, let me reflect just a little on 2015.  It was a great year and it deserves some acknowledgement.

I absolutely love this blog because it allows me to go back and read stories/look at pictures of our year.  Without it, I would forget so many little things (and sometimes those little things are important memories).  This blog seems to solidify our memories.  Instead of keeping them to ourselves, and trying our BEST to remember what those adventures felt like, we can relive a little piece of it by re-reading the blog.  I honestly didn't think I would like blogging this much (or have time to keep up with it) when I started it 3 years ago.

You can go back and re-read our posts from 2015 if you want details but overall here's what we learned from the year:

1) Helmets are important during all adventurous activities. The Pursuit of the Trifecta and the Importance of Helmets. 

2) Mother nature does what she wants (sometimes it snows... sometimes it doesn't... and meteorologists have a very tough job). This is discussed in practically ALL blog posts!

3) Our planet is breathtakingly beautiful!  Ditto to the above!

4) When you write your goals down, it gives you TONS of motivation to complete them! Well, I'm 30... 

5) I can run 13.1 miles!!! Another One Bites The Dust

6)  We have the best friends and family EVER. We already knew this, but we are just confirming it.

7)  We have the most amazing dog. Again, we knew this, but now we really appreciate it.

8) We are ridiculously blessed!

2015 was a fantastic year but I'm happy to see it go.  There was not blog post at Christmas for a few reasons... first, we were feeling a little scrooge-like because we honestly thought our beloved dog was dying and second, Christmas kinda snuck up on me this year!  I know it's the same time every year but I usually get really motivated around Thanksgiving to start shopping and mailing cards, etc.  Thanksgiving was busy this year (which was AMAZING) but it threw me of my game.

So, I apologize for our bah-humbug attitude this past Christmas.  We will do better next year.  Please know you are all VERY loved by us!

I welcome 2016 and the new, fresh start it brings!  This year, instead of "New Year, New You," I'm striving for "New Year, True You."  I want to just be myself (whether fat or skinny), and I want to live simply.  I just spent the last few days de-cluttering my house and donating a BUNCH of stuff and I sincerely hope NOT to replace any of it.  We don't NEED it.  We have every single thing that we NEED and that's a huge blessing.  2016 won't be PERFECT or FLAWLESS... there will be ups and downs just like every. single. year.  That's what keeps it exciting!!!  So, I will just live each day simply and I will be content with who I am and what I have in life.

And because this blog has consisted of mostly words so far, here are a few pictures of how 2016 is starting in Tahoe...

I CAN'T PUSH THE SNOW OFF THE DECK ANYMORE!
NOW I'VE ACTUALLY GOT TO SHOVEL IT OVER THE RAIL. 

I WONDER HOW MUCH THAT WEIGHS.

THE BASEMENT DOOR

SNOW BANKS TALLER THAN A SUBARU...
ON OUR STREET!

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE STREET SIGNS
GET COVERED UP???
I HOPE WE FIND OUT!

10 DEGREES AT NOON

BEAUTIFUL VIEW FROM OUR DECK! 

BEAUTY.

I feel so blessed that I get to live this life.  

We wish all of our friends and family the BEST health and UNIMAGINABLE happiness in the new year!  I hope it is a spectacular year for anyone and everyone reading this!

2016: We welcome you with open arms!  Be good to us please!!!