Tuesday, February 5, 2013

January went where???


I cannot believe January has come and gone already. Where in the world did the time go? We're doing our typical mid-winter activities...dance parties, obstacle nights, dress up and lots of snuggling in front of the fire. Starting to get cabin fever (or as I like to call it 'ants in our pants')!
 Feel like I have a hundred of these pics...Izzy decked out in accessories and costumes galore. We are definitely that family you see out in public dressed like this.
 Izzy has always rolled up her leggings and just today I rolled them down and explained that they are supposed to be worn long, down to her ankles. She wouldn't have it. Said you couldn't see her ankle bracelets with her pants all the way down. Mmmmkay, you're the boss.
 Very, very rare sight...the girl snuggling with (a very plump) Katie Monster.
 With the temps in the single digits I have been doing my long runs (and let's face it, my only weekly run) indoors on the track. Eight laps = a mile. Notsofun.
 I never, ever want to forget this. Izzy has always slept with her lovies lined up. But as she gets old she accumulates more and more. And adds them to her nighttime lineup. If you lay down to hug or read to her and one of these plush beauties gets moved out of place...watch out! Sister has to reorganize every one of them. Good thing she has such a large bed to fit everyone in!
 Bathing beauties. I'm not going to lie, bath time isn't my favorite time of day. I'm exhausted. They're exhausted. No bueno.
 Over the last 6 weeks I've taken on a lot of new responsibility at work. I'm being stretched outside of my comfort zone. And Mike keeps reminding me that I'll never grow if I stay comfortable or complacent. So I'm welcoming the change...and hoping for great things ahead.
 Girl time with Mags
 I think I ran outside twice in January...and I welcomed the wide open path to log some miles. Very peaceful and I always get a lot of good thinking done when I pound the pavement solo.
 It's been a verrrry good year for IU basketball. The girls are learning the fight song and I couldn't be more proud.
 Another track run...this time with my girl Kristi!
A new obsession of the girls': bubble gum! My girlfriend, Jenny, introduced it to them back in November and ever since it's been the BEST bribery tool in our house. Don't judge. You know you bribe, too. Sugar free gum in a bazillion flavors. But we have rules: 1. No playing with your gum. 2. You must throw your gum out when you are done with it. And 3. And no swallowing your gum. Strict rules. But it works SO well with the girls (they even consider a piece of gum dessert!). Jackpot! 
 Mike bought season tickets to Butler basketball again (talk about another amazing team to watch this season!). We originally chose one game to take the girls to (as it was the only game with a reasonable time...instead of nap time or 8pm). However, since Butler is playing so well and ranked so high...the games are now sold out. Read: we only have two tickets and would have to buy 2 children's tickets to get the girls in. Since that didn't work out as a family, Mikey suggested I turn it into a girls' night. Don't mind if I do!
Amy is an alumni and scored us entrance into the private gym during halftime (which means we get to buy $2 beers at a collegiate game, what what!!!). So fun.

 And just like every winter, we head to the indoor pool on Sundays to burn energy. Mike swims laps while we girls play. The girls love it and it tires them out enough to take long naps. Mission accomplished.
 One fish, two fish...
 Watching daddy swim
 Laney swims with her face in the water now...and as of last Sunday she is now swimming underwater to dive for sticks. Unassisted. Sans floaties. So proud.

Iz and Lane love when their daddy comes into their pool to play. He went down the slides a few times and the next day Izzy drew this:
Daddy going down the big slide while the three girls wait at the bottom for him.

Here's to February and March flying by so we can get back to sunny Florida for Spring Break!

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

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!