so long, farewell 2010

Where did you go 2010? I know everyone says it, but as I'm getting older, I find it to be very true.... The older you get, the faster the years seem to go. And I sure felt it this year. The days felt like weeks, and the weeks felt like days.  2010 was full of first's, some last's, and some of the happiest moments of my life!

highlights and recap of 2010

*first's*

adventures in a hot air balloon

This year I had the most amazing surprise from chris! I have always wanted to

ride in a hot air balloon.  It was for sure on of the most exciting "first's" that I experienced this year.

Its also involved with one of the happiest moments :)

It was huge

So pumped!

The valley

going through the temple

My big sister Brittanie and i after my first session at the temple

traveling out of the country

This year I  was able to travel out of the country for the first time. It was so exciting and wonderful to finally get that stamp in my passport

Fun times on the beach

It was an awesome resort

:)

pet a dolphin
Okay, so to pet a dolphin isn't exactly on my bucket list. But swimming with one is for sure. But this was actually way cool and one step closer to checking that item off my list.

running a half marathon
Running this half marathon was one of the biggest accomplishments of my life thus far. My good friend
Cossette talked me into running this and I'm so glad she did

although my face doesnt show it... I was struggling beyond messure right here. haha

success

car accident

Thankfully I dont have a picture of my car, but this year I was in my very first, and hopefully last, car accident.  It was really scary and im just thankful that even though my car was totalled, neither I, nor the other driver were injured...

*last's*

sleeping alone

short shorts and tank-tops

Dont get me wrong... I never really dressed skankalicious or anything... but on a hot summer day i loved throwing on the tank and shorts! those days are gone. and im okay with that :)

being a hamilton
This is my amazing family... the Hamilton's.
Although i spent 23 wonderful years being a Hamilton, im excited to call myself a mantell.

*happiest moments of my life*

engaged
I have the best engagement story... its too long to type it all up..
basically I have the most amazing husband in the entire world!
thats all you need to know :)

with the ring

chris on one knee

married
I married my best friend on June 18, 2010
Best day ever!

honeymoon
We went to the Dominican Republic for our honeymoon and it was absolutely amazing!!!

the cute honeymoon shirts we got from the resort

we went to ocean world while we were there, it was basically a small version of sea world.  but you were so close to the animals it was amazing!

I don't know why I'm standing like a goober!

the beach we were on

Well it's that time of year again. The time where you reflect on the past year and think of ways to possibly make the coming year a little better... aka resolutions... As awesome as my 2010 was, I know that there are plenty of areas in my life that I can improve on!!
In previous years, I have taken days, even weeks, making this ginormous list of resolutions and things I would like achieve this year.  Ultimately setting myself up for failure every year.  So my resolution solution for this year was to set only reasonable and achievable goals, and cut down the number of goals I make.  These are the five that I have to decided to really set my sites on.

• get fit and fab

every year I make this goal, with various degrees of success.  This year I'm determined to get to the weight I want, and also maintain that weight.  Also, I really want to reinvent my wardrobe completely!

• chef much?

okay, so I don't cook.... hardly ever... one of my goals this year is to develop this talent. My goal is to be able cook dinner 5 nights a week.

• books books books

read more! I want to finish at least one new book a month.

• be a better better half

this is my husband

the handsome devil!

he is my world! i love him more than words can say. but sometimes, more often than i should, i find myself to be in some sort of funk. Which usually means i take it out him. This year my goal is to be me again. find away to be happy, no matter what life may throw at me. in turn i think ill be able to better love my husband and be a better wife

• 100% for 365

this past year our stake presidency implemented a program called 100% for 100 days... my goal is to take this principal and imply it all year long! this is what it entails: 
Daily:
Individual and family prayer
Individual and family scripture study
Acts of love and compassion to spouse
Weekly:
Date with spouse
Family home evening
Sabbath observance at ward of record
Magnify your calling
Monthly:
Fast and pay tithes and offerings
Temple attendance
Home and visiting teaching


i am so thankful for all that 2010 has brought! All the experiences and blessings i received, and all the trials i endured.  i am so looking forward to 2011 and everything it brings my way.

bring it on 2011