Wow, What A Year!

Going through an entire YEAR's worth of photos is fun, time consuming and brings forth so very many emotions.  I think I said in my head "Oh my gosh look how cute and little "so-and-so" was!!" about a bazillion times, possibly with a tear or three in my eye.

Even The B Man seemed smaller and more like a little boy at the very beginning of the year since he lost his first top tooth back in January.  And now he's getting a mouth full of big person teeth and is well on his way to EIGHT years old.  Crazy.

And we went from having a baby to a full-on talking, semi-bossy toddler and a pre-schooler who knows how to write his name and started playing soccer.

All in all it was a great year.  We did some traveling, we spent time with family and friends, we grew (or lost weight!) and changed and we made the most of it.  And I ran a little... and took other people's photos for the first time(s)...

The cool thing about this life of mine?  It's made up of big, wonderful moments but it's also made up of so many small yet truly amazing ones, especially as I watch my children grow and continue on this journey with the love of my life.

See, that's what going through my photos REALLY showed me - that I am so very blessed.  I think I say that on here a lot because well, it's true.


And even though it was extremely difficult to choose, here's a look back...

Me and my roomies Katy & Erin at Blissdom '11

10K in Baton Rouge - COLD!

Flowers in February

My Mardi Gras monkeys

Happy Easter!

 Mother's Day

Just one of those little moments...

Oh and another...

At the beach

Happy 4th!

And another little moment... yeah... :)

With my awesome roomies from BlogHer '11, Melissa and Jennifer

Back to school...

 Halloween antics

 Just runnin' some more...

First (and only?) half marathon.

My babies, as pictured on our Christmas card

Me and my man in New York City

Christmas family...

Here's to a wonderful 2012 ahead, for ALL of us! 
Happy New Year!







                                                               

Plan a Trip with your Man/Woman/Partner ASAP!

When Tim looked at me in October with weary eyes and said, "I need a break, let's go somewhere" I of course said, "Yes, LET'S!"

I LOVE to travel and have my parents to thank for this, since they do as well.  We went on a family vacation pretty much every summer of my life, even if it was just down to the Texas coast.  Once I was in high school it was usually just the three of us and we went to D.C., on a cruise, etc.

All this to say that I will NEVER turn down a trip.  So when Tim and I decided to go to New York City in December I will admit I did some major internal "Squeeing".  And outward too, for that matter.

See, we both needed a break, together.  And we both believe it's very important to get time together, just the two of us, whether it's simply a dinner date or in this case, a 4 day trip ALONE.  Thankfully we are blessed to have family who are willing to take care of our kids while we go. A MIL who does laundry and thoroughly cleans out the fridge while you're gone? Yeah, awesome.

Anyway, I really want to tell you all now, how wonderful my husband is.

He surprised me with a limo from the airport, got us 7th row tickets to Wicked, took me on a romantic carriage ride through Central Park and ordered the perfect room service while staying at the Waldorf Astoria.  And yes, I was nice and shared.

I think he loves me. ;)

I know I love him.

And no, not every moment was "perfect" (I mean c'mon you gotta go the wrong way out of the hotel doors at least one cold morning, right??) but most of them were and this time together and these memories will last me a lifetime and I thank him so much for that.  We are fortunate that we can travel together like this and take time for one another.

I recommend it to anyone who can.

Just GO.

The House that B,G & K Built

The kids did a gingerbread house with their grandmother while Tim and I were out of town.  I kinda missed doing it with them but she also gave them complete free reign (which I am not very good at. ahem.).  Anyway, I think it still turned out pretty well.  We'll just call it abstract, k?

I think it might be a Christmas dragon, what about you? :P

Apparently it was quite tasty too... 

Do you have a gingerbread house tradition? Or any other baking/decorating you have to do at the holidays?

The kids and I didn't get a chance yet so I think I'll make cookies with them today...

Christmas was good... as you can see.

I'm sitting here with a nasty cold, I think.

I've been a little sick over the holidays and I'm guessing that the fact that I have not formally exercised AND have not been eating an ideal diet lately (oh my Mother's Christmas treats are so good...) are probably not helping.

Wait. I KNOW they are not helping. And my right nostril has not been fully functional for days which is just down right annoying! Too bad I got rid of that "neti pot" thingy they gave away at Blogher this year, right Jen? ha ha!

Anyway, it doesn't matter how I feel physically because my heart is so full.

We had a wonderful time celebrating Christmas with the family in Austin (never mind Christmas mass, I won't even go there, but let's just say mass after your 3 young children JUST opened their Christmas presents? NOTAGOODIDEA!!).

And when we returned home Monday night I ate some soup, got a few things squared away and then made myself one with my bed.  And my wonderful husband made dinner, bathed the kids, went to the grocery store AND did laundry.  All while I rested and slept.  Yeah, he pretty much rocks.

I am blessed.  But we all knew that already.

I am looking forward to the new year... resolving to eat better again and of course getting my bootie back on the treadmill.

I have a couple of challenges for 2012 that I am considering... I'll fill you in later.

For now, pics from our holiday.

I hope you all enjoyed yours as much as I did...

We celebrated with everyone on Christmas Eve...

I quite love this one... and these precious kids of mine... :)

My parents' ELEVEN grandchildren

In the midst of our "white elephant" gift exchange

Putting baby Jesus in the manger

Someone has post-Christmas treat face...

My parents before leaving for Midnight mass

Then, Christmas Day...

Our Christmas Card...

Just a quick Merry Christmas from me and my crew...

Hope you all enjoy the holiday to the fullest. 

Much love,

It Really IS a Hellava Town!

New York City is simply amazing.  For SO many reasons.  But it's extra amazing at the holidays.

The hustle and bustle is even more so and there are festive decorations and lights and Christmas trees just about everywhere.

I have SO many things to say and could go on for days (and MANY posts!) about the things we did and saw but for now I'm just going to post some of my favorite photos.

It's the best I can do the day after I got back from NYC and the day before I leave for our family Christmas in Austin.

I hope you all have an exceedingly wonderful holiday, whichever one and ways you celebrate!

xo...