Farewell 2014

Yesterday the kids got to go to Target and spend gift cards they received for Christmas.  

 Leo got Legos, of course.  He didn't get any as gifts this year, but it worked out nicely that he could pick out a set himself.

 Serafina chose a bow with arrows.  She isn't exactly a kid you want armed.  She's already a terror without weapons.

 Here she is looking sweet this morning before digging in to some chocolate chip pancakes at a restaurant this morning.

2014 was a rocky year.  There were ups and downs; there were moments of overwhelming pride in my kids and crushing sadness with the loss of my mother-in-law.  This was the year I became a runner - a slow runner that doesn't go very far, but I still run.  I think I'm probably just trying to run away from turning 40 which will happen in 2015.  I also embarked on a writing project, The 90 Day Novel, which I completed earlier this month.  

Here are some 2014 highlights:
- Leo loses his first tooth.
- The kids turned into awesome skiers.
- Serafina finished preschool. 
- Leo finished kindergarten. 
- We celebrated Ito's 80th birthday in Arkansas
- We hung out in Southern California.
- We had a fun Halloween. 
and, of course,
Tom drove a tractor.

Family game time

Santa Cruz day trip

 We took a little day trip to Santa Cruz.  It was sunny and clear but a bit crisp out.

 When we got down to the beach we saw that some very patient people had created some very impressive sand art.

 Leo makes his own.

A little Instagram treatment to brighten up this picture.  The natural bridge in the background gives the beach its name, Natural Bridges.  

Strolling on the cliffs.  

 Taking a break on the bench.

 Taking in the beautiful view.

 We stopped for lunch at one of my favorite spots from when I was a college student in Santa Cruz.

 Then to the ice cream store on our way out of town.

Regular glasses again

Leo's replacement glasses arrived today.  This means his sports glasses can go back to being for sports only.  He looks more like himself with these glasses.

Family selfie with the new phone

A Very Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas, everyone!  The kids got up at 4:30am.  I sent them back to bed.  They got up at 5:15am.  I sent them back to bed.  They got up a little after 7am, and we had Christmas because that is an acceptable hour.  

Serafina finds a big present from Santa.  

 Leo and Nana find a special snow globe and note from Santa.  He reminded the kids to be good and display the snow globe each season to remind them of the magic of Christmas.

 

 Leo was a little freaked out and a little fascinated by this human body book that Santa brought.  It was one of many educational gifts, making it more of a Merry Nerdmas around here.

 Kitty sweater.

 Daddy got a special tray to cook bacon in the microwave.

 Fancy Frozen dress from Ito and Grandma Sharon that lights up and plays "Let It Go".  She wore it all day.

 Serafina got through her gifts pretty quickly.  She was just so excited and she handed out gifts to everyone else too.  Leo took his time with each gift.  Here he is reading a book he received.

 Tom and Leo playing with a circuits game.

 Serafina and Nana playing with paper dolls.

The aftermath.  

It was a very enjoyable day.  It's been a little hard to get into the Christmas spirit since we have been feeling sad about Tom's mom and, of course, the drama with my cat so recently, but today was really nice.  It's so fun to have Nana here to celebrate with us.  We talked to family on the phone, ate yummy leftovers and candy from the stockings, and finished off the day with some karaoke, of course.

Christmas Eve, featuring karaoke and the best lasagna ever

We had a very nice Christmas Eve.  Serafina is on antibiotics for a sinus infection, so she's feeling fine.  Leo was not nearly as on edge as past years.  It was a good day.  

Here they are posing for a picture that Tom sent to his family in Italy.  

 Of course, we continued with the tradition of making butter cookies on Christmas Eve.

 Modeling our Christmas socks.  You can kind of tell that the kids have the same size feet and that size isn't that much smaller than mine.

 Tom made the most delicious lasagna I've ever tasted.

 We gathered around the table to eat it.

 It has cheese, sauce, vegetables and a bechamel.  It was so amazing.

 After the lasagna part of dinner, we let the kids open a present from Nana.

 It was a karaoke machine!  Plus some karaoke discs, including this one of 80s hits.

 Serafina was ready to go.

 Frozen songs for her, of course.

 Daddy got it hooked up and then took it for a test run.

 Then Leo took over to sing his favorite song of all time, Thriller.

 Rocking it out.

 Serafina takes a turn.

 She likes to face her audience.

 And give her performance some flair.

There was lots of singing and then another course of dinner - scampi.  The kids left some cookies out for Santa and are snug in their beds.