Um, Hi

I don't know if there's anyone out there who still reads this thing, but obviously it's been awhile since I've been here.  Here's a recap of what we've been up to:

December was a lovely month for us as we slowed down and prepared for the coming holidays.  On December 13, we welcomed Sommer Elizabeth into the family after a long tough day.  She is sweet and perfect and lovely in every way, and we couldn't be happier for Dee Dee and Uncle Matt! 

We had a wonderful Christmas although things were a bit different this year with Gramma spending her holiday in heaven instead of here with us.  We definitely felt her spirit here with us on Christmas morning (I also spend some much appreciated time with her on almost-every-day laundry days - she reminds me to separate the darks, whites, and reds when I want to just throw them all in together  :) ) as we watched a most excited Tommy rip open his presents and be genuinely happy about each and every one, and sweet Annabel watch her big brother in wonder as he not only opened his presents, but her's as well.  We shouted "Happy Birthday Jesus!" and Tommy added a "Happy Birthday Gramma!" since he remembered that we did the same thing on her birthday back in October.  It was a most fantastic four-year-old Christmas and four-month-old first Christmas. 

We also got to spend time with all of the families starting with the Stables for Christmas lunch where we enjoyed each other's company, some good food, and more presents.  For dinner, we headed over to the Williams' where we had a lovely visit, even more good food, and even more presents.  A couple days later, we headed to PA for the Butler gathering and had - you guessed it - more great family, food, and gifts.  Sadly, we didn't make it to Millis again this year but are planning a trip up this summer.  Looking forward to seeing Nanny and everyone and introducing them to the Sommer and Annabel.  Truly, we are blessed with the most wonderful families. 

We spent New Years Eve and Day here at our house and enjoyed a quiet night with kids in bed and took advantage of the extra late night hours by catching up on some reading and doing a little knitting (my new favorite thing).  I didn't fall asleep until 11:45, and Will woke me up at 11:56 for the ball drop, although rumor has it that there was an amazing garden pig drop at a certain Pennsylvania home.  We may have to see that next year!

Since then, I've been trying to take advantage of each new day in 2012.  My big goal for this year is to Simplify.  There will be (and has already been) some major spring cleaning going on here.  I'm going through every closet, every drawer, every cabinet, every shelf and donating or throwing away what I don't need.  I can't force this on my husband and children but will be strongly urging them (the ones that can talk anyway) to go through their things and consider simplifying as well.  We'll see how it goes! 

So that's the update from here.  I debated on whether or not to continue this thing since most of the people I write it for are on facebook and can see our pictures through that, but I think I'll keep it up for us to have as a record of some of the things we're doing over the years.  It will be nice to look back on someday.  So I guess I should end with a picture...

Christmas morning in their mama-made pajama bottoms  :)