In short:
It was winter & it was cold.
The girls turned two.
We bought a house and sold a condo and moved.
Everyone knows that the actual moving part is the worst part of any home purchase.
It was appropriately terrible, especially with my ear infection that WOULD NOT GO AWAY. But has. So we are all good now.
We frolicked at the park any time it was over 30 degrees and under 120 degrees.
We laughed, we cried, I cut my hair, we took some selfies, we laughed some more and then we found out we were pregnant with #3.
This was not a surprise.
We planned it.
But still. THREE KIDS. OMG.
What were we thinking??
And now, the year in pictures. Beginning January:
Carrie’s First Haircut
Ellie’s First Haircut
Twins turn Two.
Grandma Sandy, Julia, Elliana and Carrigan all celebrated birthdays together. (and took a lovely picture with Luke and Joshua)
Carrie loves her pretties! (aka bracelets and jewels and sparkly things!)
Carrie is also VERY busy, babe. So, like, leave a message or whatever.
Shades and a binky NEVER go out of style.
Carrie’s February Selfie. So now.
Ellie and Mommy selfie together.
Ellie hunts the elusive Easter Egg.
Carrie has concern for the elusive Easter egg. Where is it? What is in it? These are big questions.
Easter brunch with Frank’s parents. Delish!
A trip to Water Tower Place in Chicago.
Hawks Game!
Story time with Mom in March
A much-needed night out in March to see The Book of Mormon.
Boo! Snow in March!
A warm day in April means a trip to the park – and pigtails for Carrie!
A mommy and Carrie selfie in April
A trip to a bakery in Lincoln Park. Yum!
Ellie scoping out Lincoln Park. Future Blue Demon??
Cowgirl Ellie takes the reins…
Cowgirl Carrie is on the move!
An outdoor snack in April. Loving the warm weather!
Carrie stylin’ a new hat from Grandma Sandy.
Carrie can’t believe the WHOLE pancake is for her!
Early morning Carrie is the best!
Ellie tuckered out on a car ride home…
Enjoying the “snow” of flower petals in May.
We bought a house!
Just the four of us… for now!
Carrie loves the park!
Ellie also loves the park.
“Dahling, isn’t picnicking just the bees’ knees?”
A tea party between Ellie and Michael. He’s such a good sport!
Carrie in a toddler bed!
Ellie in a toddler bed!
The twins wishing Daddy a happy 33rd birthday!
Do we have a future motorcycle chick??
Ellie enjoyed her bike as well!
Improvising with furniture during the move. Camp chairs are so in right now!
Saying goodbye to our trusty Honda Accord, George in June.
Lounging in their new room.
Carrie and her buddy Kelsey chilling.
One game to the Stanley Cup!
We love lunching outside!
Packing is never dull when you are packing with twins two year olds!
I love the PARK!!
Mommy and Carrie watching the rain!
Ellie catching the rain!
Riding the train at the July Jaycee carnival in Hoffman Estates!
Carrie playing on the beach, with appropriate jewels, of course!
A healthy breakfast is the best way to start the day!
Getting ready for work with Mom!
Sibling night … PUT THE PHONES AWAY! That is all.
The girls deep in discussions post bath in July.
The girls love to ride the bus to church. Church is also one of their favorite places to go – they ask to go all week long!
Ellie and Mom taking in a very hot summer concert together – so much fun!
The girls loved their beach time in August!
Carrie particularly loved the pier and looking at the fish.
Cousins Luke and Julia came to visit in August. They had so much fun!
Ellie visited Auntie Cay-cay and raided her amazing costume jewelry collection.
I chopped my hair!
The first day of Playschool for the twins!
The girls couldn’t wait to go inside!
The first day of potty training. It was harder on Mom (and Dad) than it was on the girls.
Carrie cruising at the park in August.
Potty training bootcamp.
Carrie giving her trike a tune-up in August.
Ellie in August.
Carrie also raided Auntie Cay-cay’s jewelry. So glamorous!
Going to the Wisconsin State Fair was exhausting…
… and delicious!
Ellie and Carrie explored their first fire truck!
Holy positive pregnancy test, batman! It was a September to remember!
Tea Partiers.
Does someone have a future in aviation? Perhaps!
Mom and Ellie Selfies in October.
Mom and Carrie Selfie in October.
Carrie enjoyed her first sports camp. Bend it like Beckham!
Ellie is ready to take on the entire team. Solo. With one hand tied behind her back. Game on, girlfriend!
Carrie loves the pantry in the new house nearly as much as I do.
Carrie is a future pool shark in the making.
Important life skillz.
The twins ready to celebrate Thanksgiving with Grandma Sandy and Grandpa K.
Frank and I enjoyed a lovely visit to Vegas in November. So much fun!
Twin love at Christmas.
Say Cheese! Say Merry Christmas!
Santa came!
Carrie, our little lefty.
Ellie drawing.
Frank and I at a Hawks game. With that guy. Yo.
So, there you have it: 2013 in pictures.
It was a good year.
The forecast for 2014 calls for less sleep, lots of new baby snuggles and big sister hugs.
What a ride.
