2013: Our Special Moments

If you recall, we did a little 2012 recap at the beginning of this year commemorating the amazing 2012 year we had just celebrated together.  And since we are trying to establish our family traditions, we decided to do it again this year!

When we think back on the last year, it feels like it flew by.  When we think back on the last year by each month, it doesn't feel like it went by so fast.  This is our special way to remember all those tiny moments that helped make 2013 so incredible.

JANUARY

Fell more and more in love with this little darling!

Added some lighting to the ole' homestead.

Kate started her first day of school.
And, by process of elimination, I went back
to work.

FEBRUARY

We explored the great outdoors.

Participated in some Mommy & Me yoga.

Celebrated our first Valentine's Day as a family of three!

Got as many snuggles in as possible when we were
all home together.

MARCH

Started our bathroom renovation.

Pretended we were Irish.

Put on a little family rap for Tom's birthday!

And celebrated Easter with the fine Canadian folk!

APRIL

Finished the bathroom renovation!

Watched our baby girl learn how to sit up!

And tried some rice cereal for the very first time!

MAY

Celebrated our first real Mother's Day.

Went on the first of what we can only
assume will be many adventures to the
zoo!

Aunt Amy came to visit!

And we took our first trip to Maryland to see GG and Papa...

Auntie Tamara...

And Aunt Nelly and Uncle T (and Leah)!

JUNE

Practiced our magical powers!

Hung out in the pool!

Let the overall sillyness consume our daily
activities!

JULY

Celebrated America's independence at a parade!

Granddad from Germany made an extra special visit!

Kate learned to crawl!

We took a family vacation in sunny Florida!

AUGUST

These two special ladies - Brandi & Crystal -
came to visit!

We continued to let the cuteness reign!

SEPTEMBER

Celebrated Labor Day in Canada!

Went apple picking!

Supported the Buckeyes!

Got in a lot of park time, knowing that days would be getting
shorter and colder!

Celebrated fall.

OCTOBER

Went to Leed's Farm with Mimi & Papaw!

Kate learned to walk!

Explored Mommy's jewelry!

Continued to play at the park!

Celebrated the first birthday of our sweet
baby girl!  (And Jack's 4th birthday!  And
Halloween!)

NOVEMBER

Participated in a little belated pumpkin carving.

Tormented the dog.

Headed up north to Canada again to celebrate Thanksgiving!

DECEMBER

Explored the great outdoors again!

Got in the holiday spirit!  (This was our festive chalkboard display!)

Celebrated multiple wonderful Christmases!

And played with our new Christmas toys!

And here you find us back at present day.  What a wonderful year!

I continue to be grateful for the amazing and healthy family that surrounds us, the opportunities that we have to travel or do a little home renovation or go on an adventure in our own backyard (or living room for that matter), and the joy that becoming a family of three brings!  We know that 2014 will be a fantastic year, just like the year before, and the year before that!

We wish all of you happiness, joy and prosperity in 2014!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

BYOK

Back in the day, when Brian would have parties with his friends, they would be B.Y.O.B. - Bring Your Own Beer.  These days, when Brian has parties with his friends, they are B.Y.O.K. - Bring Your Own Kid.

And folks take this literally!

We hosted our second annual Christmas party this year, though it was slightly different from last year's.  At last year's party, Brian was able to get together with quite a few of his high school friends and their families.  This year's party included college friends (and families) and family members as well.  And we pulled it off without a hitch again!

It was so much fun getting together with all of these lovely people!  We had visitors in town from France, California, Florida, and New Jersey, and they were all able to stop by and enjoy some good food, good drink (including an amazing jalapeno margarita), and good company!  All nine kids played together wonderfully and the adults were able to enjoy some friend time too!

7 of the 9 kids playing!

Adults enjoying adult time.

Best buds!

Noah and Lily enjoy some coloring!

While Brady break dances.  He also has perfected the
"booty pop" for those of you that were wondering!

Noah makes a silly face!

BYOK #1: Will, Tara, and Tara's niece, Addalyn!

BYOK #2: Just BE and K!

BYOK #3: Chris, Christa, Leah, and Gavin!

BYOK #4: Mike & Jill!
(Their two kiddos, Audrey and Carter, stayed home.  I think
they got a family pass to get in without their offspring!)

BYOK #5: Patrick, Becky, Noah, and Brady!

BYOK #6: Jeff, Martha, Liliana, and Emerson!
(Jack was an adopted son for this photo and poor Lily had
an allergic reaction to our pooch.  :(  )

BYOK #6: Than, Darcy, and Jack!

I am so curious as to what next year's door policy will be to get into the party!