New Years 2013

Since we returned home to all of this snow the girls and I ventured out for some play time yesterday (NYE) while daddy had a little work to do. As usual, the prep time to get outdoors takes longer than the actual activity lasts. But it was well worth it. There were zero complaints of being cold, so I considered it a success!

 I pulled the girls in a sled along the unfinished (and unplowed) portion of our street

 The girls made snow angels

 And ate a lot of snow. They also learned what yellow snow was...you know, basic life lessons.

 We took a walk along the Monon

 And then came home to warm baths, long naps and relaxing the rest of the day and evening. We invited our old neighbors over last minute to share in a large pot of chili Mike made and to ring in the New Year together.

 Surprisingly the kiddos made it until midnight and did some seriously loud banging of pots with wooden spoons. They were so proud.

 I'm not one for new year's resolutions but I am one to reflect on what the last 12 months has meant to me. Here are a few of my favorite memories from 2012:

Perfect Strangers Girls Night Out in January

 Best girls from Chicago made their annual trip to visit

 Turning 35 with a surprise party from my amazing husband

 Friday day drinking with my girls on an unseasonably warm March day

 Putting up our beloved home for sale end of March

 Spring Break with friends

 and family to Destin, Florida

 Carmel half and full marathon in April

 Backyard bbq in May with my closies

 Annual Indy 500 with my lovie

 A meaningful 5k pushing kiddos

 Watching my girls finish a 50k in May

 Celebrating 8 years of marriage with hiking through state parks

 The girls last day of pre-school before their last summer home with Nanny Natalie

 Perfect Strangers do the Mini (and a pyramid)

 Late night sillies with my sillies

 Moving out of our home of over 7 years...

 ...new beginnings...and living in an apartment for 10 weeks!

 Building strength and stamina inside the CrossFit gym

 Watching this little fish learn to swim underwater

 Perfect Strangers do Ragnar...best memories...and where our Call Me Maybe video transpired

 Serene run along Lake Michigan

 Family trip to Wisconsin

Visiting new friends...

 ...and catching up with old friends in July.

 Making great workout buddy friends that carry me through tough workouts

 Outdoor concerts with Mikey...

 And lots of pool time

 Moving into our new house in August

 And watching Izzy attempt team sports

 Perfect Strangers do Vegas

 Celebrating my dad's 25th wedding anniversary in August

 And stepping outside of my box and comfort zone by participating in a CF competition

 Exploring our new neighborhood nightly

 The girls' first trip to IU in September

 Watching our baby turn 5 and blossom into a beautifully sweet little girl in October

 Family hikes

 Monumental half marathon

 Family date nights

 Big Ten Football with our favorites

 Learning new skills

 And teaching new skills

Witnessing two super girls conquer Halloween

 Another trip from my Chicago girls in November

 First annual McCulloch Hops Trot 5k

 Witnessing my best friend PR her full and half marathon times and win the Hops Trot 5k

 Having my whole family at our house for Thanksgiving

 Having my heart grow leaps and bounds from the love of these two beauties

 And a Christmas to remember

 Here's to a New Year full of love, life and memories just as amazing and fulfilling as the last. Here's to 2013!