2013, a list of sorts

2013 was a good year. Below, a numerical listing of ups, downs, and everything in between.
12 years as "Gabe and Mimi"
7 years as "the Palmers"
4 years as parents
2 years as a family of four
3 new sports (t-ball, swimming, soccer)
9 soccer games
1 trip to Chuck E. Cheese
6 trips to the Natural History Museum
40+ trips to 31 Flavors
3 public tantrums
463 oh my God, why did I want kids again? moments
1 painted bedroom
1 new old piano
12 sewing projects
26 various home, art, and craft projects started but never completed
11 snack duties
5 computer repairs, resulting in
1 new hard drive
37,000+ photos saved thanks to the computer guys and a lot of prayers
0 Christmas cards sent
100 envelopes and blank cards ordered
6 trips to the mechanic
4,500 dollars to fix my stupid paid-for car (though technically I don't pay until next week, so I guess that falls into 2014?)
3 paid off vehicles
2 paid off medical bills
63 forgotten to-do lists
6,342 snuggles, giggles, and tickle fights
4 closets still waiting to be organized
17 blog drafts never published
0 regrets

All in all, it was a very good year. Overwhelmed, broke, and patience-testing on every level, but still one of the best years yet. 2 days in and 2014 seems to promise much of the same, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

OC Fair

The fair is in town. We ate until we were sick, the boys rode rides until we were broke, and we had fun for as long as our moods would allow. Between 2 day old piglets, giant tarantulas in bunk beds, and just about every vehicle ride imaginable, the boys were pretty thrilled. And although we had to forgo a ride on the Ferris wheel ($24 for the four of us was just not going to happen), we had a pretty memorable day.

Easter

Easter came smack dab in the middle of birthday season this year and though we still have dinosaur decorations up around the house (oh my gosh, I still have to post that) somehow we managed to color the eggs and the Easter Bunny still made his way through, messy tracks and all. Which, by the way, a certain husband thought was a bit ridiculous and entirely unnecessary until he saw Anderson's pure amazement at the whole thing. So worth the 2 minutes it took. I had a friend who made bunny tracks at my house in elemenatry school and I have never forgotten how fun it was. I have been waiting for what seems like ever (or at least 25 years) to do the same for my kids. Though it's a good thing he was not on my run with me that night where apparently the bunny ran amok in the street, on the sidewalk, and across lawns and driveways. They clearly have their act togther on the next street over. Total bunny competition.

The day was simple, filled with family and friends and far too much food. The pictures change very little year after year (there will forever be one of Gabe and me wrangling the boys for just one more picture) , but with the familiarity of it all comes such a sense of comfort and tradition.

Baby Gift

Our newest niece was born back on February 1st, but due to so much sickness running through this house it was nearly three weeks before I finally got to meet her and love her up. Back in January I had made these little blankies for her and was so excited to finally be able to give them to her. That orange flannel blanket with giant ric rac just may be my favorite sewing project to date.

Sneak peek

We can't wait to meet our newest cousin/niece! I may have even made her a little something.

A birthday quilt

I spent most of last week on the sewing machine working on this quilt for my sister (and maybe a couple other secret projects that I have yet to photograph). Though I cut out about 3/4 of the squares back in June, it wasn't until last Saturday that I actually got my act together and started putting it together for my sister's birthday on Friday. Is procrastination a disease? I think it must be. I need to look into that. Later, of course.

Though this is not technically considered "quilting", it is about as close as I may ever come. This is the second blanket like this I have made and while not challenging, they are very time consuming and I tend to get a bit bored with the whole thing about half way through (procrastination and a short attention span? I really need help). Maybe I need to stick to making them baby-sized? Anyway, I am really happy with how it turned out (even if the pictures in the crazy rainy-sunny-cloudy-within the span of 5 minutes weather don't do it justice). I know she loved it and I loved giving something that I made.

Christmas Recap (just a bit late)

It is hard to believe that Christmas has come and gone and I am beginning to think about Valentine's Day decorations. So easy it is to say that I am late in putting this post together because I have been so desperately busy for the last few weeks, but the truth is I have just not wanted to come to terms with the fact that such a great part of the year has already come and gone. It's not even that time is speeding by as it usually has a tendency to do at this time of year, I just simply made enjoying the moments of December a priority over documenting them in real time. December went something like this:

We chose our tree

and built a gingerbread house.

I made, addressed, and mailed the cards

and the boys and I made cookies for friends (but we ate most ourselves!) and cupcakes for school.

We sang tons of Christmas songs and Anderson performed a few favorites for his school concert.

The boys visited Santa

and Santa visited them.

Anderson ate his weight in candy canes

but he saved some for his friends.

We celebrated with the extended family

 and tried desperately to get a decent family picture

repeatedly

I made little gifts for teachers

and wrapped a few for my boys

only to be over-shadowed by the awesome wrapping job Gabe did for me.

Santa delivered the rest

and the boys played all day

but not before the obligatory "everybody in front of the tree looking terrible in your jammies first thing in the morning"picture

Yes, there were a few more things in there (light viewing, dinosaur tail sewing, glass etching, DIY decorating and way more glittering than I care to admit), but I either failed to take photos or took some too lousy to do the projects justice. Maybe next year.:)

 

All in all it was a really great month. We were fortunate to spend a lot of time together as a family and really focus on involving the kids as much as possible. I am sad to have wrapped it all up as I removed the wreaths from the front doors yesterday, but I am so excited for this new year and all of the possibilities it holds. Here's to January!