Farewell 2012.......

I had dubbed 2012 the Year of Me!  Looking back I have to say that I am lucky that I was able to devote a portion of an entire year to figuring out what I wanted/needed in life (I do have 2 kids, a job, a husband...etc, so I can only do so much).  I looked back at the goals that I wanted to accomplish this year and I did a pretty decent job on them.  Some, not so much, so I'll revisit them in 2013. Some key highlights from the Year of Courtney:

1.  Not only did I conquer my fear of running a 5K, but I also conquered my fear of group fitness classes.  I have been successfully working out 4-6X/week since February 2012.  I still have that layer of baby fluff, but my butt is starting to de-sag! 

2.  I minimized my life.  I quit Stella & Dot (unfortunately didn't make it the full year I wanted to) and dropped to 32 hours/week at work.  I was trying to do too much and it made me mediocre at all of it.  I wanted to not only be with my children, but be present.  I couldn't do that when my mind wouldn't stop racing. 

3.  Dates with Mike.  When I was working 40 hours we did Happy Hour every Friday before we got the kiddos.  We also had a lot of Friday dates when I had Fridays off from TerumoBCT.   We ate great food, had a lot of laughs, hit a lot of golf balls......etc.

4.  Took great trips.  In 2012 I went to Geneva, Madrid, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, Portland, Keystone, Tulsa, Utica, Washington DC.......etc.  Some were work trips and some were family trips, but all in all I enjoyed them.  I got to spend time with good friends, meet some new ones, and enjoy our wonderful families.  Plus I got to see the ocean which was a goal for 2012!

5.  I excelled at work.  Having the 32 hour work week really drove me to do my best.  I wanted to prove that I could maintain that schedule.  I was a part of great projects, took great trips, got amazing feedback, and finally felt like I was an important part of the teams that I supported. 

6.  Assisted in raising amazing children.  I look back at when Leo was born in 2011.  Gwen was just a chubby little baby.  Now she is this amazing little person who asks 400+ questions a day (I just read that the average 4 year old asks 427 questions a day.........Gwen is one of those).  She's brilliant, and funny, and such an amazing big sister.  Leo runs and walks and laughs and cuddles.  He's sweeter than any other person I have ever met.  He may not say much, but his smile speaks a thousand words.  Those 2 little kiddos are my biggest achievement and I am so glad I have the ability to modify my life so I can be the best mom possible to those kids.  Whether it be through "girls days" or extra hugs, playing board games, or watching swim class.  I want to be there for them and am lucky I have a husband and a job that supports that!

Happy New Year!
May your days be filled with amazing memories.

Christmas in NY: A Summary

We traveled back to NY for Christmas this year.  Mike and I went into the actual traveling with super low expectations.  We were actually pleasantly surprised.  The trip to NY went great.  We had Economy Plus on a giant plane on the way to Chicago, and Leo did great on the mini-flight to Syracuse.  We had no delays.  The way back to Denver didn't go as smoothly, but still wasn't bad.  The kiddos did great on the 36 seat mini-plane (we had to walk outside in the snow to get there), but the delay in Cleveland caused Leo to freak out as it was past his bed-time and he didn't nap.  Leo was screaming so bad while we were being de-iced that the flight attendant came over and kept checking in.  I thought we were going to be kicked off the flight.  Luckily a cup of ice and an unzipped sleeper calmed him down.  He slept the entire 3 hour flight!  I am so proud of my kiddos for how great they did even though they were exhausted.  We will only fly in the mornings now, but I will give the entire experience a B.

We had a blast in NY.  It snowed everyday and we never saw the sun.  I have to say when we got back to Denver the sun almost blinded me.  My eyes weren't used to it.   We ate and drank far too much and I feel bloated.  I am nervous about how detoxing will go.  I am sure I will get the shakes!! 

We spent great time with my family and the kiddos couldn't be cuter.  I also got to see some old friends in Albany.  The snow kept us from our night away, but it was so good to see Melissa (and meet her son) and Mike (and meet his son).  I also got to spend time with Holly and Mike.   I am lucky to have long time friends where we can pick up right where we left off. 

For once, Mike and I took my dad out. We normally spend time with just my mom, but this time we took my dad to the casino where we gambled and had lunch.  We all lost money, but had a great time.   We'll definitely do this from now on and leave my mom with the kiddos.

It was great being back in NY.  I hadn't been in over a year.  It made me so sad to leave.  I am hoping to spend a couple weeks there this summer. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

What a wonderful Christmas it was.  I really enjoyed spending the day with my immediate family and extended family.  We started off the day rather early so that Gwen could open her gifts from Santa.....well Leo too.  Santa brought Gwen a My Little Pony, a Super-Hero LaLaLoopsie, Brave, amongst other things.  Leo got a new set of his favorite blankets (he squealed with delight when he saw them) as well as a bee flashlight and a Jake doll.   

We had a great dinner at my mom's house followed by a jaunt to my cousin's so that Gwen/Leo could meet the extended family.  The kiddos were absolutely adorable running around and playing.  I was nervous that they would be overwhelmed with all the people, but they did great.  The played the part of the perfect little kiddos...........of course we had to leave abruptly with Gwen "going off".  I am starting to sense a theme...............

I had said I would travel every 5 years for Christmas, but I am starting to rethink that maybe it should be every 3 years.  I was watching the Higglytown Christmas special (don't ask) and the main character wished to wrap gifts for Santa.  Once she was there she realized that she didn't get to spend Christmas with her family and it made her so sad.  As much as she loves wrapping presents, she realized that the true meaning of Christmas is family.   As much as I don't want to travel during the holidays (expensive, pain in the butt.....etc) I don't want to miss too many Christmases with my family.

Christmas Eve: Part 2

The boys took pocket shots of "Sex on the Beach".

Christmas Eve: Part I

Christmas Eve was a blast.  It started out with my mom and the kids baking cookies.  What a mess those kids can make.  Mike and I then took my mom to Del Monacos for drinks.  If we didn't have to travel I think we may have still been sitting there drinking.  It's always fun spending time with my mom!

The kiddos then got ready to head to my sister's.  They each got to open a gift from my parents first.  Gwen got "Lambie" her bath doll and Leo got an adorable bowling set.  We then headed to Christine's where she put on a fantastic dinner.  She had lasagna, clam sauce, wine, and wonderful pasteries. 

Everyone then opened gifts.  Gwen got a super-hero costume.  She then ran around like a crazy person as "Super Girl".  It was so cute!!  Gwen/Leo had a blast playing with Olivia/Grace.  It of course ended abruptly when Gwen flipped out from exhaustion (late night + no nap would do that for a person)!!

Christmas Play

We were lucky enough to visit Christine's church for their children's play.  The play was absolutely painful, but cute.  The church itself is fantastic.  She is so lucky to have that Parrish and community for her children to grow up with.  If we had something like that around Denver, we would go each Sunday.  The parishioners were so nice to us even telling me that if Leo freaks out that it is okay! 

Gwen was going to be an angel in the play but dropped out last minute.  She was scared.  She did wear the outfit and wanted to bring it home.  She did mention that for Halloween she wanted to be an angel.  It's a long way away, but it would be a nice change from the princesses.

After the play Santa came for a visit.  They had cookies and punch as well as gifts for all the kids.  It was so nice.  Leo is terrified of Santa and Gwen got to meet Mrs. Clause.  She had a million of questions on that one.  They had a blast!

The Holiday Season has been....

exhausting
stressful
hectic
interesting
entertaining

As you can see there are tons of words to describe our lives since Thanksgiving.  The highlights:
1.  Stomach flu for the entire family over Thanksgiving weekend
2.  Leo's surgery/recovery the first weekend in December
3.  Gwen getting Influenza A just a few days after Leo's surgery
4.  Leo getting molars
5.  The "Perfect Storm" at work.....Budget Season, monthly reporting....etc.
6.  Prepping for our big trip to NY for Christmas (which we are super excited about)

In the midst of all of this we still had time to do some fun things.  We visited Santa, baked Christmas cookies, and went to Bass Pro Shop for their Red-necktastic Christmas activities, to name a few.  All those things were fun, but pretty rough on the family......... Leo freaked out seeing Santa and then on the Carousal at the Bass Pro Shop, and Gwen went into Super Brat Mode during both activities.  Other than that, it truly is magical to watch the kiddos during this time...........who am I kidding.  Nobody mentions that your children turn into lunatics come Santa time. Even our Drag Queen Stripper Elf......Cinnamon can't keep Gwen in line!!

On a good note and less negative Leo did get to decorate his first Christmas cookies.  By that I mean he put candy on the raw dough then ate it.  His cookie never got baked!