Resolution vs. Bucket List

I'm not usually one to get all serious about the New Years Resolution thing.  I normally do the "I really need to get better about exercising and eating healthy" reminder in my mind.

On Christmas Day, a few of us were sitting around and talking and I mentioned that I wanted to create a Bucket List.  My SIL encouraged me to write down all the neat/fun things I've done and then make a list of things I want to do or places I want to visit.  So instead of a NY resolution list......I am doing more of a bucket list.  I didn't spend a ton of time on it and I'm sure I will add things along the way.

1.  Stay in an Igloo/Ice hotel- Shawn thinks I've absolutely lost my mind.  He has no idea why I would want to pay to freeze at night but something about this interests me.  I'm all about unique hotels!

2.  Go on an African safari

3.  Visit Mount Rushmore

4.  sleep in a wigwam- see...I am weird!!

5.  Ride a camel

6.  Run a 5k

7.  Learn to knit

8.  Go to Martha's Vineyard

9.  Ride the train in Whistler

10.  Take photography classes

11.  Photograph the covered bridges in the northeast

12.  Spend a weekend in a treehouse hotel (there are cool ones in Arkansas, Oregon, Costa Rica, etc....)

13.  Visit Niagra Falls

14.  Go to Napa, Maine, Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, and Spain.  Not all at once, of course.

15.  See a Cirque du Soleil show

16.  Backpack in Europe

17.  Hike at Glacier National Park

18.  Learn to play tennis

19.  Ride a dune buggy through the desert (of course the Sahara sounds cool but this may be more doable)

20.  Visit Auschwitz

21.  Go island hopping in the Caribbean

22.  Visit all 50 states

23.  Learn to make pasta

24.  Make a quilt

25.  Own a vacation home

26.  Write a children's book

27.  Take a cooking class

28.  Spend the night in a castle in England

Do you make New Years Resolutions?  If so, what are they?

Or, do you have a bucket list?  Anything cool on your list?

Friday Favorites

1.  Trader Joe's Cookie Butter

Sweet boy and I ventured over to Trader Joe's yesterday and picked some of this yummy goodness up.  I ate half the jar way too much already.  There isn't a single thing nutritious about this stuff.

2.  Micro Pedi Callus Remover

I celebrated my 37th birthday a couple of weeks ago.  My mom handed me my present and said "I bought you something that I just know will make your Friday Favorites list!"  That made me laugh.  But, she is right. This little guy removes some major calluses on your heels.  I haven't had a pedi since my honeymoon (gasp!) so now I can actually show up and look these ladies in the eye. I can do some damage control before I go.

3.  106.1 Kiss FM- Kidd Kraddick in the Morning

My favorite morning talk show on the radio.  I LOVE Kidd, Kelly, and Big Al.  They make me laugh like no other!!

4.  Black Diamond Studs

The hubs got me a pair of black diamond studs for my birthday.  Back in high school, my ear ripped during a school pep rally.  I can't wear heavy earrings or even earrings with a drop down hook style.  I pretty much have to wear studs so that I can push the back on real tight and hide the tear.  I wear a lot of black so these go with almost everything I wear.  A nice little twist on the classic diamond stud.

5.  Standard Process 21 day Purification Program

I did this detox/cleanse back in June and I plan to start it again on January 1.  It's a great way to remove toxins from your body.  I won't lie.....it can be hard at times.  Especially because our society doesn't always make it easy to eat healthy.  But, I can do anything for 3 weeks! Plus, sweet boy is doing it with me and that will make it that much easier.

Happy Friday!!

Jackson Hole Trip

We just got back from Jackson Hole.  We decided to take the boys on a winter vacation (as their Christmas presents)  and we all had a blast!

We stayed at the same resort I stayed at this past summer.

 Watching a movie at night on the Ipad.....lots of laughs between these two brothers.

 Ours was the top left cabin.

 The creek right outside our room

 See monkey boy looking out the window?

 Trying to build a snowman....but the snow was too soft and powdery and it wouldn't stick.

 Making a snow angel.

 Lots of snowball fights!

 Mmm, fresh snow tastes yummy.

 Don't be fooled.....the moose isn't real. :)

 Warming our wet boots up by the fireplace.

 We took a sleigh ride through an Elk Refuge.

 All tuckered out.

 On Friday, we went dog sledding at Togwotee Mountain Lodge.  This seriously is one of the coolest things I've ever done.  Ever.

 Getting loaded up in the sled.

 Here we go!

 This ride was exciting and peaceful all at the same time.  I can't even describe it.....and pictures don't fully do it justice.  All I can say is that this is worth adding to your bucket list.  You won't be sorry.

 Hudson and Cooper got a chance to "mush" or drive the pack of dogs.  I was still in the sled so this is the best shot I could get.

 The next day we went snowmobiling.  Super cool too!

 Natural hot springs.

 Halfway through our tour, we stopped off at this Granite Hot Springs area.  It was about 10 degrees outside......and we were crazy enough to get in our bathing suits and get in this water.  It was really warm and relaxing!  Getting in and out though was really cold.  Such a unique experience- being in the water but being fully surrounded by tons of snow.

 Our tour guide cooked us a yummy steak/chicken lunch and we ate our "picnic" in the snow.

 More snowball fights!

 Downtown on the square.

 Cookies and hot chocolate while waiting to see Santa.

This was our first big family trip and it was amazing......everything we wanted it to be.  I seriously love Jackson Hole so much (even though I think my favorite time is summer just because there is SOOO much more to do then) I didn't want to leave.  Feeling very blessed to have taken this time as a family.....in a beautiful place.  Now we are gearing up for time with family the next several days to celebrate Christmas.