12/30/10

The Eve of New Years Eve is Oma's birthday.  

Derek took the day off so we could spend time with Opa and remember her.  

We headed north in the afternoon.

 We met Opa in Gilliespie for dinner.  

The diner had very good food...but something about the clientele made me feel out of place.  

Most were toothless for one reason (old age) or another (meth?)...good food though!  

Cole loved his 'chicken dinosaurs.'

On our way to Carlinville, we stopped by to bring Oma birthday flowers.  

We were not the only who thought of her on this day!  

There were many flowers surrounding her!

 Derek had a busy night of putting together Opa's presents from Santa - a new electric fireplace/entertainment center and new HD television. 

 Happy Birthday, Oma!  

We thought of you and missed you so much!

Bringin' down the Tree

Taking down the Christmas tree is something that we don't look forward to in our house.

 It's just a bummer...the holidays are over :(

However...anything can become fun when you add some bootie shaking moves.

And, who can resist this? 

;-)

NYE '10-'11

The eve of 2011 found us....tired.

We spent the early evening with Na & G trying some new recipes for a nice, low-key dinner.  The later evening found the Albracht's home and snoozing by 9:00.  The holidays can be so draining, we all needed to begin 2011 rested. 

I couldn't be more pleased with 2011 so far.  Cole caught up on some much needed sleep.  I got to do so as well.  Derek got up with Cole at 7 and I snoozed until almost eight o'clock am!  It's been the perfectly relaxing day we all needed; the boys playing Wii, me cooking black-eyed peas, and us watching a few of Cole's movies from Santa!  I could get used to this I think!

'10 Christmas Slumber Party

Jayjay is home for the holidays!  Yay!  This means we had to have our annual slumber party!  Cole didn't want to share "his Dayday" much this year.  There were lots of books to read and hours of playing to be done in his room.

 When he did decide to share her, we all played the Wii for a bit.

We ended the night with air mattresses on the living room floor and Toy Story 3.  We passed out one by one for a fitful night's sleep.  Jayjay and I were both battling colds, which makes for poor sleep (and increased my already problematic pregnancy snoring!).  It's all worth it though.  I hope that Cole will remember these early years of what I hope will become a longstanding annual tradition!

(alternately titled - I am too old for slumber parties.)

New Year

Whew!  2010 - What a year! 

For a brief recap of the ups and downs....

April 2010 - We put our house on the market.

 4 days later, it was under contract.

May 2010 - We closed on our home...

  ...and moved in with Na & G.

Memorial Day Weekend - we moved into our new home.

June 11, 2010 - We got the news of Oma's diagnosis.

September 4, 2010 - We lost Oma.

Holidays 2010 - Bittersweet.  We are so blessed, yet it has been hard to adjust to a new life without Derek's mom, Ed's wife, Cole's Oma, etc.

There were many more unmentioned ups, but looking at these major, life-changing events makes me tired! I hope for a whole lot *less* in 2011.  Not sure that we'll get too much less though!  Baby will arrive within a few months and we will have lots of adjusting to do - - either way, I look forward to embarking on our new family life with my family by my side!

As for resolutions, I need to focus on small things that are realistic.  Having a new baby and a three year old will prove challenging I am sure.  So, I want to focus on a few things....

- eating more veggies and serving more veggies to the family.

- practicing more patience with Cole.  Realizing that however challenging he can be, I only get one chance to spend his childhood with him.  I want to show him all of the love that I have for him.

- exercising a few times each week.  

So far in 2011, we're off to a good start.  Derek, Phoebe, and I have all worked out....yes, Phoebe - she had her first round on the treadmill!  Homegirl's birthday is fast approaching!  14 years will look good on her!

Wishing all a wonderful 2011!  Here's to health & family - the things that I have learned most about in 2010.