The Last Homely House: 2013 in Review

My blog has felt neglected and alone these past few months. It doesn't understand that my multi-tasking skills are woefully inadequate as is my tendency toward perfectionism. My last posts were of our church youth group's history trip. Even those posts were left undone as I was unable to achieve good wi-fi signal at our hotel. Upon returning from the history trip, I dove headlong into planning Aly's 13th (yes, I said 13th, how in the world does that happen!) birthday party. And after that, planning for our school year and our co-op, where I'm teaching three classes this year. All of this has really taken up a chunk of my time. Anyway, I couldn't just pick up and post (OCD tendencies as well). I needed to at least document some of the past things we had done! And that is where nothing got done! So here it is, March 1st, and my blog is calling my name. I've updated her, gave her a fancy new look, and she is ready for me to try again! Seeing as how I'm still OCD, I couldn't just leave last year unattended :) So here are a few of my favorite things...

Christmas in January with Kenny, Danielle, and family

Skyeler, Aly, Madi, and Makenna

We celebrated Christmas in January with Cheryl and the boys.

Carter, Bryce, and Aly enjoyed the hot tub in the winter weather.

Obviously nothing happened in February because I have no pictures from that month. I know I

was busy decluttering the house but I'm not sure what else!

In March, Aly had a sleepover with Noelle and Priscilla and their American Girl dolls

Easter was celebrated at Aunt Cheryl's house since Skyeler and I shot Dan's friend

John's wedding the night before.

Aly joined an American Girl Book Club in April and May with Hannah, Priscilla, and Nina.

Here they are dressed up for Hobo Day while reading the Kit books.

We spent Memorial Day Weekend with my parents. It was a wonderful, relaxing weekend.

The highlight of the trip for Skyeler - the BUNNY! She has been begging for a bunny but our answer is no. At least at Randy's farm she was able to snuggle one for a bit.

Skyeler wanted an updated picture for her blog profile.

Aly and Granny (and O'Malley) goofing off while I'm taking Skye's pictures.

June brought VBS. Instead of doing our normal "Toss for a Fish" game at the VBS carnival, Dan made Ooblek. All the kids had a marvelous time playing in it. I don't know if Pastor was so appreciative, it DID make a big mess! Aly, Kami, and Skyler Ray taking a turn.

Skyeler and Elizabeth jumping in it.

There is always face painting at the VBS carnival. With this year's craze of My Little Pony, many of the girls had Cutie Marks painted on. Elizabeth-Pinkie Pie, Aly-Rainbow Dash, Madi-Rarity, Skyler Ray-Rainbow Dash, Skyeler-Fluttershy, and Victoria-Twilight Sparkle.

Skyeler decided to paint her room in July. She and Aly did it all by themselves! The turquoise blue color really goes well with her black and white accessories.

On one of the hottest days of the summer, Danielle and I took the kids to Cox Arboretum.

We enjoyed the Butterfly House and splashing in the creek.

Makenna, Aly, Sam, and Madi on the Butterfly Bench.

Skye and Makenna taking a break.

I posted some about the history part of our teen trip. So here is a little fun.

Dan and Aly running down the beach at Point Pleasant Beach in New Jersey.

It was cold and overcast and the sea was rough, but anytime you are on the beach is a good thing!

Aly and Dan come down the Alpine Slide at Seven Springs Resort in Pennsylvania.

I was too scared to ride the ski lift to the top :)

In August Dan and I met Gene and Sue at the Columbus Zoo for the Day. We enjoyed

spending the day with them until a huge storm moved in. It flooded the gift shop of the manatee exhibit

and the tunnel leading back to the other side of the zoo. The ONLY tunnel leading to the other side

of the zoo! We had to take our shoes and socks off and wade through almost knee deep water. Ick.

Aly's 13th Luau Birthday Party! We had a BLAST!

We had crafts (you can see their flip-flops we made in the picture), swimming, lots of food, candy kabobs,

hula and limbo contests! Everyone was exhausted by the end of the day but Aly enjoyed it so much!

Abigail, Skyler, Nina, Madi, Aly, Makenna, Noelle, & Brianna

We lost Sparkles to Congestive Heart Failure in September it was sudden and heartbreaking

for all of us. We still miss him all the time. Here he is at Aly's Luau party with a Lei around his neck

courtesy of Skyeler.

Dan ran the USAF Marathon in September with his best friend Roger who was in the

country from Kenya. Dan not only ran with him, but also trained three others who ran

with them that day. I'm always so proud of him, and I know he was excited to have

people to run with!

Skye, me, Dan, and Aly after the Marathon

Aly had to do a Nature Scavenger Hunt for her Science book and we took Madi along too. It was a very warm September day but we enjoyed walking around the Arboretum. Aly and Madi were very serious about their hunt and were upset that we didn't have more time to complete it. Here they are looking at a woolly worm we found.

Sam enjoyed the Arboretum as well! He likes it when he gets to go on field trips :)

Skyeler likes it too, until she realizes just how tiring taking Sammy on a field trip is lol!

This was such a cute picture of the two of them!

We had snow on Skyeler's birthday in October...that should have been a warning to the horrible, horrible winter we were going to have. Aly got the chance to Trick or Treat again this year with Priscilla. The were both Elvish Princesses. It was cold and rainy and by the time we finished we were all soaked through and the cape Aly was wearing must have weighed 10 lbs! The girls still had a ton of fun, though!

What's our favorite thing to do in November? Thanksgiving at my parents with Cheryl and Glen and the boys! This year it snowed! That hasn't happend. Granny was so excited that she and the kids could get out and go sledding. And they did, every day! This is my favorite picture from the weekend :)

Our annual picture of the Yahoo's. I remember the first year when Skyeler had to hold Carter!

Now they are growing up so fast we are afraid to blink!

Aly, Carter, Bryce, and Skyeler

Thanksgiving around the table, yes I make everyone wait to eat until I've gotten a picture :)

Me, Mom, and Cheryl

At this point in the year I have lost 19lbs, and darn it if the picture doesn't seem to show it!

I'm glad, though, that we got an updated picture of the three of us.

We always look forward to Granny and Papa coming for Christmas.

Papa and his girls

Granny, Papa, Aly, and Skyeler

Our Christmas tree-Doctor Who style.

In celebration of Doctor Who's 50th Anniversary, Dan and the girls wanted to make our tree a Doctor Who themed tree. So we have a Fez, Fez's are cool! and red bows, bow ties are cool! and Sonic Screwdrivers, 3D glasses, Snowmen and Snowflakes, Bad Wolf, Weeping Angels, and a Tardis ornament.