This month:
- We (mostly Mike) put up Christmas lights outside in beautiful 60 degree weather. The trio loved playing outside.
- Abby watched the trio so that Mike and I could go see Breaking Dawn (yes, I know — I read the books). Afterwards, we went exploring and enjoyed dinner at Tracey’s Boat House in Ottawa. Neat place!
- I finished up my Christmas tile project and we all (including Bo) worked on Christmas cards so they were ready to mail early in the month.
- Mike kept the kiddos outside nearly all day to enjoy the nice weather while he worked to clean out the gardens and ready them for winter.
- Bo was invited on an impromptu playdate at Harrison’s. I dropped him off and Harrison’s mom, Kara, brought him home. When they arrived he was wearing different clothes because he managed to fall into a pond. I never did get the whole story — but apparently he was soaked. Only my child.
- I met Bonnie at yoga one morning.
- I attempted to work at a local coffee shop — and after I ordered my chai tea latte discovered that they don’t have Wi-Fi. Why would a coffee shop not have Wi-Fi? Ack.
- Mike and I got new iPhones. Mike’s was his birthday gift from his parents — mine was my Christmas gift to myself. 
- Laura and I worked out several mornings at the Y. I also tried to run a few times. I hate the cold.
- Anna was home sick for two days with a fever and a cold and Bo was also home for one of those days. Clara and Anna had never been apart for that long before, but they both did great.
- The kiddos and I did quite a bit of Christmas baking.
- I gave my final exam in my brick and mortar class and held final conferences with those students.
- Abby watched the trio while Mike and I went to his work Christmas party at Brandy’s. His work family is hilarious. I ate (and drank) way too much.
- We took the trio to Brookfield Zoo to see the the lights and the animals. The highlights were the baby giraffe and the anteater.
- Mike took the trio to Emerson’s birthday party while I stayed home to paint Bo’s bookshelf, fold laundry, and grade papers.
- Mike and I finished the second season of the Walking Dead. And I continued to have nightmares from the craziness.
- I met Jen for breakfast one morning at Delaney’s.
- We ended up at the doctor at the Y and Bo was diagnosed with strep. The doctor ended up treating all five of us and I kept the trio home from school another day.
- We celebrated Mike’s 36th Birthday with a Triple Lemon Cake, spaghetti, and presents.
- I took breakfast over to Laura to celebrate her 35th birthday the day after Mike’s. Laura and I officially booked our weekend getaway to the Bahamas in February and booked a shore excursion to swim with dolphins!
- Bo, Clara, and Anna performed in their preschool Christmas program.
- Mike and I “celebrated” our 10 year engagement anniversary.
- We drove the trio up to Mike’s parents on the 14th and Mike’s parents made him a birthday dinner. We drove back home on Saturday morning and Jim and Sherri kept the trio on Saturday and Saturday night so Mike and I could wrap Christmas presents.
- Mike and I had a very productive 30 hours of solo time. Not only did we wrap all of the Christmas gifts but we cleaned out all of the toys (and boxed up numerous toys to sell) and cleaned and rearranged the basement.
- Mike and I also attended an Ugly Sweater Party at the Vasquez house while the trio was with Grandpa and Grandma. I won third place for my ugliness! We left the party a bit early and went to dinner at Brandy’s (yes, again!). It was so late and we had been so busy all day I almost fell asleep while eating!
- Jim and Sherri brought the trio home on Sunday morning and stayed for lunch.
- We took the trio to see Santa at the Dickinson House and went on a carriage ride.
- We had the Cetwinski’s over for pizza and brownies. We started the process of picking Matt’s brain regarding the possibility of building a house.
- I took Bo out of school for a day and we traveled to Peoria with Jen and Riley to the Bass Pro Shop there. The boys had a lot of fun and were able to play several of the games, see Santa, watch the fish in the aquarium, etc. We ate at the Fish Bowl in the Bass Pro Shop — it’s a combination restaurant, bowling alley, and aquarium. Pretty neat! Bo and I both agreed we have to take Daddy and the girls there soon.
- I accepted a full-time online teaching position!
- I finished up my night class at IV with conferences and made the decision not to teach the night class in the spring due to my new job. I will still be teaching one class online for them.
- Laura and I went for pedicures and dinner to celebrate the holiday season.
- Mike and I met for lunch at Buffalo Wild Wings.
- The trio and I enjoyed the holiday break by kicking it off with a picnic in front of the tree and cookie baking.
- Mike and I went out for lunch at Canal Port with Laura and Derek and then went bowling. Laura and Derek also came over later that night (after our kiddos were in bed) to play board games.
- We decorated a gingerbread house and trees.
- I turned all of the hangers in my closet in an attempt to weed out some of my many clothes.
- We celebrated Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at home. Jim and Sherri came down for lunch on Christmas Day.
- The trio and I hosted a playdate. I had fun talking to Jocelyn and the kids loved played with Mirella and Mason.
- The trio and I traveled to Bloomington to meet up with my bloggy bud, Amber, and her littles, Drake and Colin. We spent the morning at the Children’s Museum and had a quick lunch at McDonald’s so the kids could play in the play area.
- I took Bo to the doctor again. More strep. Seriously?!?
- Mike and I were feeling a little bit country one day and ventured to Peoria to the Bass Pro Shop and Texas Roadhouse with the trio. We also (after getting lost) found the Peoria Festival of Lights which was neat to drive thru.
- Mike and the trio went in search of donuts but the donut shop was closed for the Holidays. They came home with muffins from 4th Street Bakery — chocolate chip cheesecake! My January diet can’t start soon enough!
- We participated in a progressive dinner with our neighbors, The Dziks, Rivas, and Ferraris. We all live about one house apart and have kiddos in preschool. All of the kids hung out at our house and we ventured from house to house to enjoy appetizers, the main course, and dessert.
- Anna and I ventured to Aurora for a special day out. I wanted to check some of the sales at the outlet mall. We went out for lunch (she ordered mac-n-cheese) and I let her pick a gift to bring home to the rest of the family. She bought a necklace for her and Clara to share — it’s one of the ones with two necklaces that match – one says, “Big Sister” and the other says “Little Sister”. She bought Bo a dinosaur puzzle and Mike a running shirt. She wanted to buy him a pink one but we eventually settled on blue. It was nice to have a bit of time with just her.
- Laura and I met up and went to the bagel shop for breakfast and then wandered Target for awhile one morning while I was off work.
- Mike and I tried a new babysitter on New Year’s Eve afternoon. Jessica had fun with the kids while Mike and I ran a few errands, went for a short hike at Starved Rock (it was cold!), and ate dinner at Skoog’s Steakhouse.
Click on the month to see what else we’ve been up to in 2012: May, June, July, August, September, October, and November.
Pingback: Christmas Break {Part 3}: Wilderness Resort at the Wisconsin Dells {Sponsored Post} | Sticky Feet: Part Deux
Which iPhone did you get?
Walking Dead?! No way! Hubby watches it regularly, as I avoid it completely.