Winding Down 2012

Our family enjoyed (survived) another very busy and very fun December.  Here's a short list of what happened in the last few weeks:

• Many holiday parties, including at school for both boys.
• John, the Elf on a Shelf came again, to the delight of all three kids. 

• Parker reprised his role of "Fritz" in the Nutcracker.  This time I joined him as a party guest parent.  Luke was thrilled to spend his birthday afternoon watching a ballet.

• Gran stayed for a visit after returning Ryder to our home from Houston stay.  She and the kids did lots of fun things like Play-doh (a first for Leah), and building a gingerbread house.

• Of course, the man in the red suit paid us a visit.  No one seemed disappointed Christmas morning. Not even Luke, who received a basketball goal, to his total surprise.  It seems the elves worked overtime on that one. 

Leah, showing off her new toothbrush, and lounge chair Santa brought.  I also think she tried to channel Elvis.

• On Christmas morning, we headed to Granny and PaPa's house a midst a rare, Christmas snow storm.  All the more reason to wear new coats and hats.

• The family took a short, holiday get-away to Oklahoma City after Christmas.  Swimming, snow tubing, movies, Bass Pro Shop (of course!)  topped off a week of family fun.  Gran and Pop joined us in OKC, which made it even more special.
• Mario Bros gaming, practicing piano, Leah cutting teeth and overusing her new found, extra annoying scream, cookie making, lots of coloring, Christmas Eve mass, and looking at Christmas lights, all while constantly jamming to the tunes of Justin Bieber, rounded out the month.

• And today, the last day of 2012, the boys built a snowman out of the remaining snow in our yard, entire by themselves.

Happy New Year, from our family to yours.