New Year's Eve (video)

These kids did not want to go to bed.  As soon as I told them it was time to go to sleep, they ran off and tried hiding behind the couch!  They wanted to stay up with Jimmy and I.  I think they sensed that it was a special evening!  They are so silly and it was a great way to end the year. Happy 2014!

 Cheesing it up for the camera in selfie mode!

Starbucks Run

I took my two favorite dates on a Starbucks run, literally.  I got them special treats, chocolate milk and brownies.  Amelia and Alex were so well behaved that the employees and customers commented on their angel-like behavior.  My kids really made me feel like a proud mom!  Usually taking them out to eat by myself is a logistical nightmare.  I'm sure the sweet treats helped a lot with their happy attitudes that day!

After our extra special chocolaty snack, they went outside and ran off all that sugar for about an hour.  Amelia and Alex were having so much fun running around, that we didn't even make it to the park.  They just wanted to run run run!

Snow Day!

It's very rare to get snow in Clarksville.  The kids were ecstatic to see the snow falling!   I was surprised that it actually stuck and we got about an inch of accumulation.

I couldn't get the kids to sit down for breakfast because they were so excited to see the snow falling

"Mommy, we REALLY need to go outside!"

I let them out for about five minutes in their pajamas...

 Catching snowflakes on their tongues

The snow kept coming and this is what we had about 45 minutes later.  I bundled them up properly and we played outside.

Alex took off his gloves to touch the snow.  He called it "brrrrr cold."

They were obsessed with their footprints

Marching in circles and making footprints.  Mimi appropriately requested Princess Anna and Queen Elsa.  Her dolls made footprints in the snow as well.

"Mommy, did Elsa bring the snow today?"

Let it go, let it gooooooo! :0)

Winter at the Park

It was cold...really really cold!  We had fun anyways...

Alex "kicking" Jimmy and loving every minute!

It warms my heart to see Jimmy running around with the kids.  He is such an amazing father and in the past week we have been lucky enough to spend lots of quality time together as a family.

After the sun went down, it got even more cold.  It was beautiful though.

We promised the kids we'd take them out for ice cream after dinner.  It probably wasn't the best idea since it was freezing out, but once you tell a kid they're getting ice cream, they don't forget!

A Bundle of Fun

The weather warmed up just enough for us to take a trip to the park.  It was still really cold, but luckily the sun came out and we were able to play for over an hour.

Leaf Throwing

Rock Climbing

Christmas Day

Having two toddlers in the house, really does make Christmas extra special.  It's all about the magic, excitement, awe, and sheer joy they experience.  Knowing that we had some part of that is the only gift I really need.  No, seriously.  I mean that.

This is the first year I really felt like Santa.  Hiding the gifts, telling Christmas stories, explaining every little detail about elves, Santa, reindeer, the list, starting new traditions, and continuing old ones... It just brought a whole new dimension to the holiday.

Jimmy worked half days and had lots of time off, so we really got to enjoy lots of good quality family time.  I think that's what I'll remember most about this year.  

Here are a few shots from Christmas morning...