Resolutions

2008 is done and over - Time to report on last years resolutions and commit myself to some new ones.

I was impressed with how well I did, even though I didn't revisit the goals very often. Here's the list - you can decide for yourself whether I completed them or not.

1. Visit New Hampshire this Summer. - I visited in March and November, and saw my family in July.
2. Participate in the Ogden Marathon, and qualify for the Boston Marathon - I didn't run in the Ogden Marathon, nor did I qualify for the Boston Marathon, but I did run the Whistle-stop Marathon.
3. Straight A's at BYU - Didn't do it. I have no excuses.
4. Retain the Scoresby Cup - Despite Ben having made the cup a type "A" goal, the Cup still resides on my bookshelf.
5. Read sunday school lessons Every week - Didn't do it.
6. Participate in the Sunapee Triathlon - I didn't do the Sunapee Triathlon, but I did the Wausau Triathlon.
7. Watch less ESPN, but more BYU football. I did watch less ESPN, though I did watch more ESPN 2. My cable coverage doesn't have ESPN, but somehow I'm getting ESPN 2. I also did watch all but the BYU v. San Diego State game this year, which is more that 2007, where I missed about half of the games.
8. Read more books. I finished 1776 which was on my list, and some other books. I didn't get through as many as I would have liked, but I definitely think that I made some improvement.
9. Maintain Finances better - I did, and it's none of your business beyond that point.
10. Write Joanna, Sarah and Kevin more frequently - I think I got like 2 letters out to the sisters-in-laws, and none to Kevin. :-(

And onto this year's resolutions -

1. Be more willing to serve - At home, in magnifing callings, in home teaching better, and in finding more interests in the community affairs.

2. Watch less ESPN 2 - :-)

3. Read more books

4. Call Family and friends more often

5. Write loved ones more often/ Blog more often

6. Qualify for Boston

7. Keep the Scoresby Scamper Cup in the Franzen Family

Beyond the resolutions, this year is already going to be great for the Franzens. Emily and I already have many positive experiences that are coming our way. I was telling my dad earlier that it almost seems unfair that we have it so good right now when so many other people are struggling. He told me not to worry about it because good times and bad times come to all. I guess he's right, but Emily and I certainly have everything that we need and more and 2009 is looking to be one heck of a year for us. I guess it is because we are surrounded by such wonderful people: most of our blog readers, missionaries, and our ward members.

It is my hope that all find prosperity, love, and peace. For me I find these sensations within my family and in the plan of salvation and they life me us and are what I depend upon when I am having a tough day. I summary, they bring me hope.

May 2009 bring you and yours many blessings, love, prosperity, hope and inspiration to comment on blogs. Keep in touch! You're what matters most to us.

Love, Preston

On Holiday

Here are a few pictures from our Thanksgiving in New Hampshire.

Mmmm, turkey.


The dessert table.


Some Franzens enjoying dinner. I managed to get Aunt Susan mid-bite.



Kim celebrating her Zimzam victory over Preston.


Now who do you think is really helping here?


These last two are at the Joseph Smith birthplace memorial, where we were able to see the lighting of the lights and the little Christmas pageant. They had a donkey named Forrest.

You know what I don't like?

I don't like those live traffic feeds, where you can see who's just arrived or left the blog and from where. Isn't that a little intrusive? I don't necessarily want people I know but never talk to to know that I just arrived on their blog. Let me surf in peace, I say!

A Mid-Autumn Weekend of Bliss

We had an above-average weekend. This is why.

Friday -



Ben and Shannon talked me into going to the 10:00 showing of Twilight - something I would not normally do. I get cranky at night. It was totally worth it, though. I think we were the oldest people in the theater. It was us and a lot of emo kids. Much fun.

Saturday -



We hosted brunch at our place. On the menu: spinach and mushroom fritatta, cooked spiced apples, sausage, and a variety of juices.



The BYU football extravaganza at the Thompsons. The getting together and eating and talking part was fun. The watching Max Hall send the season down the tubes, not so much. I think Ben and Preston cried themselves to sleep that night. I managed to get over it fairly quickly.

Sunday:

Church. When the Relief Society President introduced Shannon, she mentioned that she could see the family resemblance. I'm not exactly sure what she was seeing, but it's a good story!

P.S. Preston came up with the title.

Confessions of a twenty-something literature snob

I saw Twilight.

I liked it.

Our Northwoods Adventure

We ventured into Northern Wisconsin last weekend as Preston took on his second marathon. We had a lovely time and share it with you in photos.

This is me at our Manitowish Waters office. If you ever find yourself in legal trouble in Northern Wisconsin, give them a call! Quality service guaranteed.
This is Preston at Lake Superior.
Isn't this sign awesome? I'm kicking myself for not bringing home a mutt mitt home as a souvenir.
It was very pretty. I took this picture at a little wayside.
This one's blurry, but it has some vibrant color.

They had a old fashioned J.C. Penney's! I might have stimulated the local economy a little more, but they kicked us out at 5 p.m. to close!
Here we are after the big race. I'm sorry if my attire is offensive to anybody. It was all I had available.
This is Paul Bunyan's Cook Shanty. You should go there if you're really hungry. They serve pancakes the size of Texas. If you were not aware, Paul Bunyan was called in to clear up a log jam on the Wisconsin River. So he's famous here.

And thus concludes our Northwoods Adventure.

Survey

Does anyone else hate Heba right now?