Goodbye 2012, Hello 2013
I don’t like to stay up until midnight on New Year’s Eve because starting the year tired and sleep-deprived is not really the way I want to welcome a new year (but then, I have a three-week-old baby, so I’m pretty much guaranteed to start the year with a touch of sleep-deprivation either way). Bart and I finished up the Christmas Eve sparkling cider last night at 10:30 and then headed to bed.
I’m excited for 2013, but 2012 was definitely a good year for our little family.
Of course, adding Ani was the best way to finish it off (oh, she is such a sweet little baby!)
 |
| This is not the world’s best picture, but I die over Ella’s face |
And we had some great trips, including our cruise in April, a couple of days in Houston, several weeks in Utah with my family and Bart’s, a week in Seattle (which was my favorite trip of the year and restored my faith in traveling with children), and my trip to Portland with my mom.
And I’ve been so happy with blogging this year – I’ve really enjoyed sharing more recipes, Sisters Share It All has been such a fun project with my two lovely sisters, I’ve loved focusing more on picture books than I have in the past, and joining Disney Baby. I also started contributing at Modern Parents, Messy Kids, and starting next week, I’ll be writing at GoodLife Eats too.
Also, Bart and I have. . .watched quite a lot of television this year. We’ve worked our way through Sherlock, Downton Abbey, White Collar (one of my all-time favorite shows), Lie to Me, and Once Upon a Time. I maybe should be embarrassed about this, but I am not.
We’ve also eaten out more this year than we ever have before and tried quite a few new restaurants. We threw several really fun parties, and had people over fairly frequently for casual things.
I ran more than I probably ever have this year, slacked off on our CSA food (and ate way more sugar than I should have), spent too much time looking at my phone, and was grumpy far too often.
I played hundreds and hundreds of games of Bingo and Memory with Ella, discovered Instagram, and gave up on a ton of books.
I think it’s easy to look at your day-to-day life and think it’s pretty average and maybe a little mundane, so its nice to look back and see that you did do some pretty fun things.
And now, bring on the new year!
I love that expression! It looks like she's excited and nervous but also knows she's supposed to smile for the camera, and that is the result.
That is an adorable Picture! And yes, Ella's face…omg, cuteness. Happy New year to you and your family!
I love Ella's little grin! What a sweet family you have! I hope 2013 rocks for you and your family of four.
Ella's face! Ohmygoodness, what a doll. She must be just loving being a big sister!
Haha, I laughed out loud at your TV accomplishment. When we were looking back on our year we felt the same way. We watched quite a few entire seasons of television shows…however we didn't balance it out with the running like we should have ;o)
Anyway, sounds like a great year! Can't wait to read about your 2013 adventures with those adorable little girls!
I stayed up past midnight last night, and NEVER AGAIN. I am too old for this stuff now, and I am going to pay for it at work this week. Thank goodness that I only need to be there for 3 days.
Congratulations on all of your writing gigs!
Ella's face in that photo is so precious!!!
Also, this is the year that I let myself stop reading books if I didn't like them. I always forced myself to the bitter end, but no more! It's quite liberating.
I love that photo (despite being confused about there being a distinct lack of evidence you ever carried that newborn inside you…seriously?!).
You guys are all adorable.
Cute family picture and you are right about White Collar, any day that involves Neil Cafrey is a good day!
That is a really, really cute face she is making. Wish I could meet your cute little baby soon!
It sounds like you did have a great year! Your family is adorable.
Hooray! I'm glad 2012 was good to you, you deserve it 🙂 Ani is just darling and yes, Ella's face is too much there.
I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who gives up on books sometimes. Most recently, "Safe at Home." I wanted to get into it, just couldn't.
Trying new restaurants is always an adventure!
I'm excited and hopeful to see what 2013 holds for you my friend.
Very cute picture! Like everyone else, I just love the expression on Ella's face! So cute!
Oh. My. Goodness. Ella's face in that picture!!! AHH! So cute!! What a great year! You're awesome Janssen!
I wish you a ☆ :: * Happy-New-Year * :: ☆ From Japan.!! God bless you during 2013!
Ryoma Sakamoto.