The last 7 days of 2012

Get ready - this is a long post. We've had a busy last 7 days of 2012...

Merry Christmas morning! The boys woke up at the usual time and half-forgot that it was Christmas morning. I prompted them with, "Did Santa come last night?" They both went running into the living room and the day got started! (Colin isn't sure if Santa is real, but fully believes in elves. Justin doesn't ask any questions about Santa or elves - he just asks to open presents.)

Santa brought a magic set and the boys have been treating us to their magic shows ever since.

Our tree was full of gifts from family and friends and the boys had a blast ripping through the paper and discovering their new gifts. Thank you everyone!

 We had a few friends over to celebrate Christmas dinner. Dad put together his amazing appetizer dish. And mom was lead chef for dinner. She cooked a 10lb rib roast to perfection.

 I was preoccupied with the good food that I didn't manage a group photo of our entire dinner party. A couple shots...

 

 Later in the week, Nick & Tami stopped by for a Christmas lunch. Good family fun!

  

We enjoyed a double date night with my parents and headed out to Chagrin Falls for an afternoon. My mom said, "now I know that there is a real reason for scarves. In SF, it's for style. In Ohio, you need it for warmth." haha.

Then it was birthday celebration time.  My birthday was low-key and relaxed. I started off my 32nd year of life with a slow morning spent in bed wrestling with my boys, quiet time with a book, Colin giving me cuddles on demand and Justin telling me, "you're so pretty" all day. I'm hoping that this was an indication for the pace of this next year. Slow and relaxed!

We headed over to Grandma's house and the boys took over my cake.  Justin was upset that the bigger boys blew out the candles before he could, so we did it all over again for the younger kiddos. Double win for me = happy birthday song twice! And let me tell you, there's nothing sweeter than a 2 year old singing happy birthday to you. If you didn't know, birthdays are best when you can go home with your own container of fudge. Thank you!!! =)

Justin and Ana were cute as ever together. Justin was nap-less that day and mostly grumpy, but it's no surprise that he gave up good smiles for his favorite Ana.

The big present this year was our new mudroom closet. My parents gifted us with all of the materials and Jack & my dad went about their work to build our custom-made built-in. Hours of planning, executing, and beer drinking. There's no way we could have done this without them here. Dad's hours of work to design and build it and Mom's hours of work to help with the kids and house. THANK YOU! So, here it is. Construction is done, paint and final detailing to go. Amazing, right?




My parents went to Toledo for a weekend getaway (Toledo = casino + restaurants). They returned well rested and we spent New Year's Eve with a zoo trip and dim sum. This pic of my dad with the elephant makes me smile. =)

 

 Random pictures of us washing our legos. It was quite the process, but needed to be done! (we searched youtube for solutions on how to do this. Lots of ideas. I settled on the hot water, soap, stir, rinse, repeat method.)

With the unexpected (but lucky) purchase of our current home, we've been busy beyond belief in 2012 with work on this house. So for 2013, I guarantee we will not be purchasing anymore homes.  I imagine a slower and more relaxed 2013. Little travel. Lots of backyard fun. Good dinner parties. Growing boys. Relaxed and running (yes, we'll start working out again) parents. Happy and content.

From the bottom of our hearts, we wish you a 2013 filled with love and happiness. Happy new year!