2013

First, sometimes I feel like I live under a rock. Maybe it's lack of sleep? For example, yesterday Greg and I were talking about New Years Eve and what not. We are supposed to go to a friends for an early BBQ and then just be home tonight. I'm not sure how it came up, but after talking I was like when's NYE? And Greg was like, "Um tomorrow!" I really had NO IDEA it was already today. (But we were talking last night) I was thinking we still had a few more days. What is wrong with me? I've never been excited about New Years, I've never been a big party goer, maybe that's why? Or, maybe I am just severely sleep deprived. (I'm thinking it's that!) 

2013 was pretty good to us. We had a pretty smooth sailing year. We had some bumps in the road, just like any normal people. When I sit back and reflect on the year, I  think we have had a pretty great year. Everything I think of is happy. 

I think about our trip to Kansas last January to see my cousins wedding and family. Volunteering for Landon's school every chance I got. Joining PWOC and meeting some great ladies. Getting our new car, Having our first 'Spring Break' as a family. Throwing an Easter Party and BBQ to have a blizzard hit us. Greg had to grill in negative temps. Celebrating our 10 year wedding anniversary! Landon played team sports for the first time, soccer, T-ball and Taekwondo. Lots of family visits. Owen turned a year old. A trip to Leadville, Landon finishing his first year of school. And then starting first grade. Exploring around Colorado. Owen doing all his firsts. Me starting back to the gym and RUNNING. (I need to start again, damn holidays) Making new friends, hanging out with friends and enjoying all our holidays. It's been a pretty good year! 

I hope 2014 is just as good to us. I'm not sure what the future is going to hold. I don't know if I am going to go back to work. (been thinking about it) We never know if a deployment is in our future, a TDY or whatever. We just take it one day at a time, and try to handle what life throws at us.

As far as resolutions. Hmm. I have the typical ones. Ones we've already been doing. Trying to eat 

'clean' and go to the gym. One goal I am going to set for myself is I want to loose 8-10lbs by Feb. I want to enjoy my family. Put down the phones, laptops and games. Try not to be so hard on myself and those around me. Enjoy each and every day to the fullest, you NEVER know what could happen. That is one big thing I've learned. 

I do have one goal for my wee one. TO SLEEP! Owen, mommy needs some sleep big boy. I'm not sure what is going on. I am trying my hardest to figure it out. I just know, I want my good sleeping baby back. I thought the saying was, as you get older you sleep better, not the reverse. You were an amazing sleeper as a baby, now, you are like a newborn most nights. It's tough. So please please please, start sleeping again! Thank you.

I hope 2013 was as good to you as it was to us. Here's hoping 2014 is even better!

Have a safe and blessed New Year!

Present Time!

Boy oh boy was Landon excited coming down the stairs. Owen had no idea what was going on. But once they got to the presents and were looking around, he was SO happy. Once Owen sat in his Cozy Coupe, he wanted to stay in there. He opened a few gifts, and went straight back to the car. Once everything was opened and we were getting toys out, he was all about it! 

It seems like we have a ton of gifts. We do. The stuff to the left is mainly Greg and I's stuff to each other. There are gifts from Greg's parents, my dad and Alma, my mom and Bob and their cousins. So we do have a lot, but we don't get to go to families and open gifts. We are very blessed that family send so many wonderful presents!

The first thing Landon saw was his 3DSXL. That was his main thing he has been asking for for months! He was beyond happy when he saw it. 

I really wanted to get a picture of them sitting in front of the presents, but you have to pick and choose your battles, and it just wasn't happening. They were so excited to look at everything, and see what they got. Owen wouldn't turn to look at the camera. But I do love the pictures of them looking at the toys!

I had to remind Landon that we didn't check if Santa ate the cookies! So before we opened gifts, we checked out the cookie situation. 

Then it was time to dig in! 

Every now and then Owen would get out of the car to check out what Landon got, like this book from Alex, Jen, Ava and Andreas. 

Then back to the car he would go. He'd watch everything from there, opening and closing the door. 

Thank you Grammie and Poppa Bob for the art box set and drawing pads. He's already put them to great use. 

After a few gifts, Landon wanted to dig in to his stocking. I love stockings. They got all kinds of goodies in them. Owen got lots of Mickey and Elmo stuff, A cup, Elmo loofa, toothbrush, socks, books and tub crayons.

Landon got a book, dragon, tooth brush, candy, lots of candy, some socks, a Lego guy and a few other things. 

Greg was still sick, but was able to open gifts and what not. I got Greg a raquet ball racket and Owen quickly learned how to swing it, watch out Greg! 

Landon got a cool basketball game for in the house from Grandpa Rick and Alma. Owen got a cute little bus table/desk. Thank you Grandpa Rick and Grandma Alma!

Owen got a big hug Elmo from Oma and Opa. He was mesmerized by it. 

The boys must have been good this year, they got lots of wonderful gifts. Greg and I also got some good stuff. I will blog about that tomorrow. I've already done a picture overload!

And SO far, knock on wood. Today seems to be the first day since Sunday that everyone seems to be feeling better. I sure do hope it continues. I've done nothing but clean, sanitize and take care of sickies for the past 5 days. My dishwasher and washer and dryer have been going NON stop!

Christmas Eve And Zap

First off, I just want to say, I can not believe that Christmas has come and gone. It went so stinking fast this year. Greg and I were just saying, we felt like we almost didn't get to enjoy it. I mean, we enjoyed it, but it just went so fast, and we were so busy. We didn't have time to just sit and relax. Anyone else feel that way?

So, I'm glad Zap is over. It's fun. But towards the end I was forgetting, or too tired to come up with creative 'cool' things for him to do. It was funny towards the end because Owen started saying Elf, and would just go stare at him. It's almost like he finally understood what was going on. SO funny.

Monday night Zap and Zip decorated the end of the stairs:

And for Christmas morning they were hanging out on the stocking holder. 

I didn't get a picture from Sunday. Landon had made a big gingerbread man at his sleepover. Zap got it out, was standing behind it and was eating it. There was a big bite taken out of his head. 

Christmas eve we always get to open a gift. Landon and Owen opened their stuff from Aunt Katie, Uncle Sam and Martin.

It was a movie night gift. It came with The Grinch, a pair of footed Ninja Turtle PJ's, hot cocoa, popcorn and a snowman mug! It's a fun little tradition we are going to do. We sent the same 'box' to Martin and Ava and Andreas. Landon LOVED it. 

Owen got an Elmo movie, and he was SO happy. He also go Ninja Turtle footed pjs. I can't wait to put them on the boys. I have to wash Owen's, which I'm doing tonight, before he can wear them. I hate sensitive skin....

Landon and Owen got me a gift. Landon was too excited for me to wait. So I got to open that as well.

They got me a heart shaped locket, SO CUTE! I love it. 

About this time is when Greg caught the 'bug.' He was sick the rest of the night......

We got ready for Santa. Landon drew a picture, got his milk and cookies ready. 

And then it was time for bed.

I hadn't wrapped ANY of their stuff that we bought. Landon was having a HARD time getting to sleep. SO by time I started it was 930. Greg was sick like I said. He was able to muster the strength to put together Owen's Cozy Coupe. And I wrapped gifts. I think I laid down right before 12. And then Owen was up. It took me a good 30 minutes to get him back to sleep.

Landon was up about 615 and Owen at 630. Then we slowly headed down stairs to see if Santa came!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from Greg, myself, Landon and Owen! I hope you all have an amazing day with family and friends. I hope Santa was good to you, you have a sugar high by lunch time. And of course, the wonderful afternoon nap before Christmas Dinner!

Merry Christmas!

Frosty

3 more days til Santa comes! I can't believe it. It's come so fast!

I think I can say I am done shopping! I guess that's good since there aren't many days left to shop.

We finally have some plans for Christmas Eve. We've invited some friends over to have dinner with us. We are going to stick to our theme like last year, BBQ. Greg is going to grill some ribs and sausage and I will make all the sides and peach cobbler for dessert. I am sure there may be more people that show up, but that's cool. The more the merrier!

Any who, about once a week I get together with some of my friends. We just hang out chit chat and enjoy the company. This week was at my house. I decided to go with bagels from Panera and cream cheese. YUMMY. I love their bagels. 

Landon got to go shopping at his school this week. He came home with lots of goodies! 

He was so excited. He got Owen a rubbey ducky, Greg a tape measure that said Dad on it.....

And me, a beautiful cross necklace. 

I love how excited about this he was. I remember doing things like that as a kid and how fun it was. He was also excited he had money left over, he said it was his now. No way Jose, that's mine, haha!

And Zap's been kinda boring a lazy. Lack of sleep....

And Owen is now obsessed. He is obsessed with his Mickey Slippers. He is wearing them all hours of the day. He giggles with excitement when we put them on. We were dying laughing when I first put them on, he couldn't figure out how to walk in them. I was a tad too slow with the camera to get it on video darn it. 

And since Zap sat in the fridge for so long, he was cold and need to warm up.. 

Yesterday was foggy, you couldn't see very far, and COLD. I love when it's foggy and cold, then all the trees and bushes turn BEAUTIFUL.

I would much rather it be foggy and really cold and look all frosty out, then tons of snow and icy roads.

It warmed up to like 30 today so it all melted. Sure was pretty while it lasted.

Today we went to the Outlets. I am in need of some clothes. Of course I didn't find much for myself. It always seems to work that way. It was nice to get away for a bit. 

Owen hasn't been sleeping well at all. It's been bad. One night for the first 4 hours he was up like every 30 mins. And it seems he is up every 2 hours. He's fussy, but he isn't screaming like he is in pain, no congestion, no cough, no fever, nothing. He's on that last canine, that is taking it's SWEET OL' TIME coming out. I wonder if it's that? All's I know, I am tired. And I am getting grouchy. You just get to that point where you have tried EVERYTHING and just don't know what to do any more. We haven't changed a thing. He is on a great and consistent schedule. His naps are even terrible. I want my good sleeping baby back. Please? That's all I'm asking for Christmas, mommy needs some SLEEP!