Happy New Year

Wow, I have no idea where this year went . . . it has been a whirlwind but a lot of fun. I started the year of by breaking my arm which was not so cool but outside of that it was great. On the bright side Kallie stopped wearing diapers on New Year’s Day so I did not have to try and change diapers with one arm – GO KALLIE!

Eric and I took our first trip away and had a wonderful time in Hawaii, although we were both ready to see our “kids (Coho & Kallie) when the trip was over. We spent a ton of time on Vashon with family enjoying the beach, fishing and crabbing.

Kallie transitioned into a big girl bed in May which I will admit was not a fun few months for any of us but we are back on track now (well sort of). She also had her first dance recital and started swimming lessons without mommy or daddy in the pool (WOOHOO).

One of the biggest events in 2013 was Kallie starting pre-school. I know she is just in daycare but transitioning to a pre-school room seems like such a big step in a little-one’s life and not to mention a reminder that she is growing up way too fast.

We hosted our second annual Thanksgiving with Eric’s entire family (20 people) which was really fun. His dad and Thalene were our special guests this year and we loved it. Kallie and her cousins don’t get to see them that often so it made it that much better.

December is a bit of a blur but only because we were busy enjoying the holidays – from cutting down our tree with my entire family to celebrating my dad’s 70th birthday to the magic of Santa we had a wonderful time.

I don’t usually make New Year’s Resolutions but this year I decided I had a good one - My New Year’s Resolution is to be present and enjoy the moment – everything else can wait.

Here are a few pics from our NYE celebration with our good friends Kelly, Martin, Cooper and the newest addition Brennen Minnaar! Yes we celebrated NYE East Coast time so our kiddos could join in the fun!

Christmas 2013

We had so much fun this Christmas with Ms. Kallie Bates. She loved every moment of the holiday season in fact she told me it was “magical”. From cutting down our tree, to putting up decorations & lights, to driving around looking at Christmas lights, to looking at each and every ornament as we decorated the tree to, to putting cookies out for Santa and carrots for the reindeer, to of course opening presents Christmas morning - it truly was “magical” from beginning to end. I loved watching Kallie’s eyes light up and listening to her stories about Santa and of course Crack Crack our elf.

On Christmas morning she ran in our room and snuggled in our bed. For one moment, she actually forgot that it was Christmas until I said “do you think Santa came last night?” and off we went. She literally squealed when she saw her princess tent next to the tree which was exactly the reaction I was hoping for. We started by opening our stockings . . . Kallie took great pride opening each and every gift slowly and showing them to us one by one . . . her favorites being the princess tent and the snow globe.

Later in the day it was off to Grammy and Papa’s for Christmas dinner. Much to Kallie’s surprise Santa came to their house too! Every year my mom goes overboard and this year was no different. Kallie and her cousins were in heaven . . . too cute!!

I am one lucky mom!