So it's been a crazy good year for us this year.
Max: A huge year of professional accomplishments: Assistant Coach of the Year (jan), Hall of Fame Induction (dec) and Head Coach position (nov). He also was able to see friends during his annual golf trip and travel to a few great professional development events. I also think back to all the public and private ways he helped encourage people through the year...be it flood clean up or helping a pregnant student, it seems everyone can lean on Max!
Ryan: Ry gained independence this year. From riding a two wheeler to becoming little man who helps carry the diaper bag, Ryan became aware of the world outside himself. He also began his friendship with his little sister. He protects her, bugs her, plays with her and genuinely looks for her reaction and approval now rather than just seeing her as an attention seeking blob. It's kinda like he's the third parent around here since he has definite opinions on how and what we do when it comes to Elise. He's fully ready for kindergarten come fall. I can only imagine the growth then!
Elise: Elise evolved from baby to toddler. Can you imagine in one year learning to crawl, walk, talk, play, sing, do sign language, stack, color, ride on bikes, shriek and get teeth? It was a big year for our little one as we started to see her personality come to light. We already knew she was a bit somber compared to Ryan, but now we see how she's truly an observer that processes everything around her and then makes very studied and intelligent choices. Her smile lights up a room. And her stubbornness and slightly defiant streak will keep us on our toes (and laughing) for the rest of our days!
Court: 2013 was a year of outward focus for me as I figured out how to work and be a momma to two kids with very different needs. Coupled with the largest career evolution/challenges I've had to date (my team grew from 3 people to 12+ depending on the day, as well as many of my existing clients growing and evolving...all during a three day a week "in-office" and lots of hours multi-tasking with the kiddos) and I am ready to work towards a little more inward focus in 2014. I hope to spend a bit more time being creative with my photography, glass work and maybe even painting again. And I'd love to start getting "me" back with yoga and regular exercise. And sleep. Sleeping again would be nice (HEAR THIS ELISE?) All in all, things went way better than I could have dreamed.
So as we look forward, we'll also look back on the MANY blessing we had over the holiday. By far our best Christmas ever. Hope to look back on 2014 with the same sentiment. To each of you, enjoy this day of renewal. And GO STATE!
Love Court, Max, Ryan + Elise
PS: Happy Birthday Nana!
NOTE: Excessive Photo Post for Grandparents Near and Especially Far!
Christmas cookies with Nami.
Ryan's school party.
Christmas Eve at Nami and Papa's.
Hug me Elmo getting hugged.
Proud as a peacock. Check out her boots!
Watching Papa's trains around the tree.
Our little conductor.
The pics were not taken at night....But at 6am :)
The next series is Ryan being reunited (via Santa) with his summer best friend, Leppy. They met in Ithaca at the cottage we rented and haven't seen each other since our trip. Leppy wrote a note which was attached to the box. Santa even poked air holes and gave Leppy food for the journey. It was by far Ryan's favorite gift!
Elise was surprised by her new trike...we had forgotten to give it to her and she stumbled upon it about 3 hours into Christmas morning in the laundry room.
Christmas day with my family at our house was a hit!
I love that the picture of Ryan (aged 1) is right behind her here...He still had more hair than she does at 17 months!
Elise likes carrying her vet kit everywhere. She keeps saying "bye-bye" and will head to the door and then make a grand entrance.
She's ready for the Spartans!
Playing their musical instruments together.
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