2013

1. What did you do in 2013 that you’ve never done before? Went to a movie in the theater alone. There were two other people in the movie, also flying solo. Odd experience, because you feel self-conscious about how much you laugh. 

2. Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions and will you make more for next year? Always making more. Even though last years' may not have been a smashing success. 

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Heather. 

4. Did anyone close to you die? Not super close to me anymore, but I lost my friend Joy in October. 

5. What countries did you visit? On our cruise, we stopped in Mexico, Belize, Honduras and Grand Cayman. So much fun!

6. What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013? Close friends outside of the Trapnell family (for both Jeff and me)

7. What moment from 2013 will remain etched in your memory and why? Running to get back on the cruise ship in Cozumel with people cheering for us like we were finishing a marathon. We laughed so hard about that.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Witnessing the baptism of my first daughter. 

9. What was your biggest failure? Not being able to potty train Bex for nearly 8 months

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? No! Yay!

11. What was the best thing you bought? Invisible fence and shock collar for Bex. Those things made it possible for us to have a dog. 

12. Where did most of your money go? Taxes

13. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Vacationing without kids, our yearly trip to Arizona for Spring Break

14. Happier or sadder? Happier

15. Thinner or fatter? About the same

16. Richer or poorer? We felt richer until Jeff met with his accountant in January and found out how much we still owed in taxes. Then we definitely felt poorer. 

17. What do you wish you'd done less of? Changing diapers

18. What do you wish you'd done more of? Exercising

19. How did you spend Christmas? With the Trapnell's Christmas Eve and the Esplin's for a few days. We had two missionary farewells (the same day), so Jeff and I had to split up. 

20. Did you fall in love in 2013? No. :(

21. What was your favorite new tv show in 2013? the new season of Arrested Development (and even that was a bit of a disappointment)

22. What was the best book you read? I read 56 books in 2013. One less than 2012. :( Some of my favorites were: Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson, The Thing about Luck by Cynthia Kadohata, Counting by 7's by Holly Goldberg Sloan, Far Far Away by Tom McNeal, and Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpoole. My favorite picture book of the year was Mr. Tiger Goes Wild by Peter Brown, and my absolute favorite book (which also happens to be a picture book) was If You Want to See a Whale by Julie Fogliano and Erin E. Stead.

23. What was your greatest musical discovery of 2013? that Kyla can sing in key. She sounds so cute.

24. What did you want and get? a Polar FT4 heart rate monitor. It's sweet! And new basketball shoes

25. What did you want and not get? a robot that mops my floors

26. What was your favorite movie of 2013? Austenland or Catching Fire

27. What did you do on your birthday? Happy Sumo with the Trapnell's on the 14th. My actual birthday I spent with my kids at the Lighting of the Riverwoods. 

28. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? McKay deciding he was ready to get potty trained

29. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2013? A few more skinny jeans thrown in, even though I know I don't have the body for them

30. What kept you sane? Trips with Jeff, reading, playing basketball

31. What celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Jimmy Fallon. He's so funny, and I'm glad he'll be on earlier in the night. We might be able to watch him more often.

32. What political issue stirred you the most? Obamacare

33. Who do you miss? My brother, Eric. I wish he were more a part of my life.

34. Who was the best new person you met? Lindsay Konold (and their family)

35. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013. Never take Bex out with other dogs if she isn't leashed. 

36. What songs will always remind you of 2013? "Roar" by Katy Perry, "Royals" by Lorde, "Wrecking Ball" by Miley Cyrus, "Brave" by Sara Bareilles, "Bruises" by Train, "Let it Go" from Frozen, "I Knew you Were Trouble" by Taylor Swift 

37. When you think about 2013 what sticks out in your mind? Three kids in school all day, Two Little Boys who spend their days with me, Jeff's trip to China, two hernia surgeries

38. Best moment of 2013? Being in the temple with my parents, my sisters and Jonny when Kimmy received her endowment. That was special.