Farewell 2011, Hello 2012

Even though I am not done with some of my 2011 post, I want to do this post now before I forget.

2011 was a great year for our family. We created many fabulous memories together. Some of our favorite highlights include:

-Going to the Rodeo for the first time.

-Celebrating my Grandfather's 80th birthday in Minnesota and introducing Abby to all my Minnesota family.

-Abby learning to walk.

-Emma graduating from private speech therapy.

-Taking a glorious trip to Vail.

-Running the Capital 10k for the first time.

-Introducing Abby to Andy's family while visiting New Jersey.

-Emma taking dance, swim, and gymnastics lessons.

-Andy developing two new patents.

-Emma getting her first haircut.

-Taking Emma to her first movie.

-Donating breast milk to the milk bank for premie babies.

-Celebrating Abby's first birthday and Emma's 4th birthday.

-Going and seeing the bats for the first time as a family.

-Taking the kids bowling for the first time.

-Listening to Abby talk.

-Spending time with my best friend, Elizabeth.

-Auntie Amy visiting and cooking us a delicious meal.

-Emma learned to use the potty.

-Enjoying the holidays with our loved ones, especially Kate and Nolan. Love watching the kids play together.

We hope 2012 will be another fabulous year. Some things we are looking forward to and wanting to accomplish are:

-Our first trip to Disneyland.

-Welcoming two new members to our family. Baby Erickson and Baby Solomon/Vargas are both due in May.

-Seriously organizing this house and cleaning things out.

-Attempt to make my cooking blog public. I started it last summer and I have not been very good about keeping up with it.

-Strengthening my muscles in my upper leg to help fix my knee issue so I can enjoy long distance running again.

-Getting Emma to sleep through the night in her bed.

-Make a small vegetable garden.

-Expose the kids to more Spanish.

-Taking advantage of our beautiful weather days before it gets too hot.

Hope everyone has a wonderful 2012!

Bowling

The weather was not ideal while our family was in town, so we decided to take the kids bowling one morning. The kids were very excited to try it out for the first time. Kate and Emma were thrilled to wear bowling shoes. They do not make them small enough for Nolan and Abby.

The players.

Thank goodness for this handy ramp.

A little coaching from mom.

Nolan giving it a try.

Abby's turn. She liked it on her first try but then refused to participate again.

Watching the ball.

Kate giving it a try.

The end results.

The kids did great with their first time. We look forward to taking Emma again because the kid loves bowling.

Christmas Day 2011

We spent our Christmas at my parent's house with my brother and his family. It was a wonderful day filled with some many delights. The kids are at a great age and just love everything about Christmas. It is a blessing to all be together at Christmas.

The kiddos in their coordinating pajamas. Abby wanted nothing to do with pictures.

The kids minus Abby in front of the tree. So many presents were coming their way.

Emma with one of her favorite gifts, a guitar.

Little Abby ready to open gifts.

She was so excited about getting some baby dolls.

The grandkids made handprint stones for Gammie and Papa's garden.

Andy will be the envy of all his co-workers with his new Star Wars lunch box and sandwich cutters.

The kids needed a break from opening gifts and this is where we found them. Too cute!

The girls with their new rides.

We saved stocking opening to the end.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from our family.

Pre-Christmas Fun

Before all the fun of Christmas day we created great memories with our family doing fun activities.

To kick off the fun the kids headed to Gammie and Papa's room to jump on their huge bed. I love seeing them all together and having a great time.

Cookie making at Gammie and Papa's house.

Kate was all about the baking this year.

In the evening we went and checked out the beautiful cul-de-sac in the area. They always put on a great display. The kids loved watching the choo-choo train go round and round.

Kate with the big Frosty.

Abby yelling "Frosty!" It is her favorite holiday character.

One neighbor in the cul-de-sac had a snow maker. Abby was trying to figure out what the white stuff was.

Emma checking out the snow.

We went to an early Christmas Eve service. The girls loved having candles to hold, bells to shake, and halos to wear. It was a wonderful children's service.

Abby was getting tired of all the picture taking.

Emma loving the light from the candle.

After church we had everyone over for Christmas Eve dinner. We wanted to get some pictures of the kids dressed up. Here are the girls in front of the Christmas Tree. Nolan was not interested in being in the picture.

Stay tune for Christmas Day!

Emma's Birthday Party

Sorry for the long blogging break. We have been spending time with my family and I have not turned my computer on in almost a week. I have tons of blogging to catch up on. To start things off, we have Emma's birthday celebration. We decided to have small party with her cousins, Kate and Nolan, and our good friends, Kenzie and Dawson. The kids had a blast celebrating at Jump Street, an indoor trampoline park.

Emma's favorite activity was the tube ride.

Emma in the jump house.

My best group shots of the kids. It was too hard to get pics while they were bouncing.

A little teacup ride for the kids.

Kenzie and Dawson.

Kate and Nolan.

Me and my birthday girl.

Andy needed to try out the tube slide before we left.

Time for cupcakes and cookies. Emma wanted chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting. I added in some chocolate chip cookies since I know it is her favorite.

Present time! Emma loved all her gifts. She is very excited to make crafts with her new craft set. Thanks Kate and Nolan.

She is also in love with her new Ariel doll. The Little Mermaid is her favorite right now. Thanks Kenzie & Dawson.

Gammie and Papa surprised Emma with a new bike. She was so excited to try it out. She had to ride it inside b/c it was too cold to be outside.

All the kids had to check out her new ride.

Emma's new challenge will be figuring out how to ride a bike.

Thanks to everyone who helped us celebrate. Emma had a fabulous celebration!