Christmas Break

I was off work for 11 days.  It was AWESOME.  Mark also took the last 5 days of my vacation off and I loved having him home to hang out with me and the girls. 

We hit the mall...the day after Christmas.  It was crazy packed, but we had to go!

Zoe has enjoyed her Christmas presents as well.  Both stuffed toys destroyed in less than an hour!

Kaleidoscope on Thursday and then lunch with Mark. 

We wore new Christmas clothes.  This is also one of Lauren's favorites. 

Addison is always in a skirt...or a dress.  The girl has not worn a pair of jeans, pants, or khaki's all winter.  Oh, and did not wear shorts all summer.  Dresses and skirts only. 

Apparently Addison was too inpatient for me to get lunch ready one day.  I kid you not.  This child is something else...

We went to Paradise Park on Friday since both Grandparents got us gift certificates so we can purchase a pass for the whole year and go whenever we want!  We love it. 

Addison has played with her Leapster a lot. 

Mark and the girls played Zingo one night when I snuck off to the gym. 

We also put together Addison's Lego Friends.  As a kid, it was always my sister doing Lego's.  But, I really enjoying putting them together with the girls now. 

We watched a lot of movies.  I think the girls got 4 Barbie movies, Brave and Madagascar 3.  We have watched all of them. 

We played with Wii one night too.  We all danced.  It was great family time.

My Christmas money was burning a hole in my pocket, so I got these.  I really wanted some last year, but could not bring my self to pay that much for boots.  Well, one year later I still wanted them...so I got them!  

We loved watching it snow on New Year's Eve.  

and we all loved playing in the snow.  Even Zoe!

It was a great Christmas break.  It went by so fast but I truly loved every minute of it with Mark and the girls.  I hope in the years to come I can make it a tradition to have that time off to spend the break with Lauren and Addison.  

Now it is back to reality and the unknown of when my next day off will be...

New Year's Day Sledding

This was the BEST way to start off the new year.  The girls slept in (till after 8:00) and after we had breakfast we bundled up (since it was 14 degrees outside) and headed to a big hill real close to our house.  We knew Lauren was ready to sled on a big hill.  As you can see by the looks on their faces, they loved it.  

I went down with them as well, but I had put the big camera back in the car at that point...so no proof that mommy enjoyed the sledding also.  

There is absolutely no fear in that little one.  I even let her do down by herself, and Mark was just shaking his head at me and I am sure rolling his eyes as well.  Addison loved it!  

Lauren had so much fun, she did not even mind carrying the sled back up the hill....over, and over, and over again.  

See the little red and pink dot...that is Lauren.  She loved every minute of sledding.  

Lauren is such an amazing big sister..holding Addison's hand and helping her up the hill.  

New Year's Eve

One night...2 different parties...we were wild! 

 

First we went to my Sister's house for my Niece's 5th birthday.  She will have a friend party this weekend, but all the family celebrated on her actual birthday...New Year's Eve! 

 Someone left the bathroom door open...just long enough for Sophie to make her move. 

 

Happy 5th Birthday Claire! 



Then we were off to a New Year's Eve party at some friends house.  We figured we would stay till 10 or so...we were there till after 11:30! 

The boys...and a few of the ladies...participated in the Battle of the IPA's.  They drank a lot of beer. 

This is my drink of choice.  I enjoyed a few before calling it quits since it was clear to me Mark would not be driving home in the snow covered roads! 

This was the bracket for the Battle of the IPA's.  It was a fun night. 

After a while we let Lauren get out her Kindle to relax and chill for a while.  I think it was close to 10:00 at this point. 

The little kids got out their Leap Pads. 

So she is not really asleep, but it was after 11:00 at this point.  We rang in the New Year with New York and called it a night.  It was a lot of fun with our friends and neighbors.  We got home and the girls were out like a light. 

2012. A Look Back

There never seems to be much of anything going on in January.  We hit Coco Keys and had fun.

 February Lauren turned 6 and I had a birthday too!

March- this is one of my all time favorite pictures of Addison dancing in the garage. 

 We also celebrated Nana's birthday at a suite at the Mavericks game.  It was a great time for everyone. 

 Mark ran a half marathon in April...

and Addison started soccer. 

In May, Lauren finished Kindergarten.  It was such a fast year. 

 June I set a personal record (PR) for a 5K on Hospital Hill...only to break that PR in August.  It has been a great year of running. 

 We celebrated Father's Day...

 and took an amazing vacation to Southern California. 

July we celebrated the 4th in Omaha and just hung out the rest of the month. 

August was back to school time already...

 and Mark completed a Triathlon. 

 September I completed my 2nd half marathon (2:13) and today I will sign up for my 3rd half marathon in April. 

Addison started dance class and she is the most beautiful dancer...

 October, Addison turned 4...

 and Lauren received 2 very special awards at school.  (She has recently received a 3rd one...I just have not gotten around to bragging about it yet!)

 November, Mark completed his 3rd half marathon with Shannon.

 

December was filled with several Christmas memories and a wonderful end to the year with a nice long vacation. 

 

2012 was a good year for us.  We are looking forward to a fresh new start, a new year with new goals and new plans.  House projects, activities with the girls, running for us, vacation plans for our 10 year anniversary, a big birthday for Mark, and much, much more.  Happy New Year.