Out with the old, in with the new!

What a year ... 2011, I think it flew by faster than any year I can remember. I mean, seriously wasn't it just Halloween? A year of reconnecting with old family and friends, a year of amazing business opportunities for our family, some great birthday bashes, 9 years of marriage, great family vacations, lots of play dates and mommy and me classes and a kindergartner! In which I am still in denial about by the way. 2012 ... expectations that this year will only be better, will I reach my goal of fitting in my wedding dress on my 10th anniversary, can I focus more on the "moment" each day instead of my to do list 20 things long? May we all feel the great sense of hope and possibility that comes with the beginning of a new year! May we all continue to hold on to that health and happiness, after all, that is what is most important!

I love you my Love, Alexi, Carli, and Gavin ... all 4 of you are my heart and soul! Happy New Year!!!

Sleepovers are the best!

Tonight the girls got to have a sleepover with Ella. The girls love sleepovers and have been asking all winter break. During the school year it seems so hard to get the girls together, but they sure do love it when they do. They stay up way past bed time and watch a movie. Carli especially loves it as she she gets to sleep in Lexi's room on the air mattress. She loves being with the big girls. Mommy sure does pay for it the next day! Carli is always exhausted the day after a sleepover. All the memories make it worth it!!

Two sisters

I don't think I can ever say enough ... I love these two girls!! You are my sun and moon Alexi and Carli!!

Park fun

What do we do when we have a few minutes to spare in this gorgeous December Florida weather? We enjoy the park!

Everyone loves Max the lizard!

Max the lizard seems very happy in his habitat! We think we got him all figured out. Max hides all day from the hot sun in his hide out rock, once we turn his "sunlight" lamp off and turn on his "moonlight" lamp he comes out. Max is out all night until morning time when we flip is sunlight lamp back on. We usually wait a bit so that Lexi gets a chance to hold him. Of course the entire time Lexi is holding him, Gavin is crying for his turn. I think Max has grown on all of us!

Christmas Day

What a great day! The kids had so much fun. Gavin was a bit overwhelmed but adjusted quickly. It took him awhile to get through his gifts, but eventually he did it. Both Lexi and Carli were so happy with all their gifts ... Santa of course remembered the handful of things that they had on their list plus lots of other stuff. We hosted brunch for the Cleveland side of the family and enjoyed the time with them. Kids always have so much fun playing together. I love it and wish we had more time to spend with all of our cousins!

Christmas Eve ... getting ready for Santa and he finally arrived!

The kids put on their Christmas pj's and prepared for the arrival of Santa. They began by leaving a plate of goodies for Santa. Lexi suggested he may like chicken pot pie. So we left chicken pot pie, some cookies and some muffins for Santa and lots of carrots for the reindeer. The girls also had to say good-bye to Ernie and Rose until next year. Lexi got a little sad about this. She left them a letter and some gifts. I love the pictures she left for them, especially the one of Carli crying on Santa's lap. Next, we sprinkled the magic reindeer food all over our front lawn. This was sure to help Santa's reindeer find our house very quickly! I think it worked because Santa came, left us a letter, a cool ornament and lots of presents. Rudolph even lost his bells at our front door.