Welcome to our family blog. If this is your first visit, welcome. If you come here often, you already know that I'm kind of hit and miss in the amount of blogs that I post; however, you will be happy to know that my 2013 resolution is to do a better job at blogging. This year, instead of printing out our annual Christmas letter, I decided to do a year end review blog. So, here we go...
Wow! What a year 2012 has been for Casa de Conner. Before I go into the ins and outs of our year, I would be remiss to not thank God for our abundant blessings that this past year has brought. For without Him, none of this would be possible.
Avery Victoria:
This has been a great year for our Love Bug. In January, she turned three and has been amazing us ever since. If you know our Avery, you know that she can be extremely stubborn and hard-headed. That character trait never was more apparent than during the potty training process. Her and I (and of course Daddy, when was home from work) worked so hard day in and day out. She just didn't want to do it. I kept telling myself that she will not go to school in diapers, so just be patient, but patience isn't a character trait that I hold an abundance of, so it often resulted in epic battles between the two of us. Finally, in April, I went away for a weekend scrapbooking retreat, and Daddy stepped up to the plate and got it done. I returned home on Sunday to a completely potty trained little girl.
Avery has been enrolled in a preschool program since she was a year and half. She absolutely loves every minute of it and asks every morning if it is a school day. Her teachers are wonderful, and I can tell that they just love our Love Bug. One of her teachers even said that she was a 30 year old trapped in a little body - a statement I couldn't agree with more. Her school has done so much for her, and for that we could not be more grateful.
In August, we enrolled Avery in ballet/tap. I have to say she is the cutest little thing in her dance gear. She definitely loves the idea of dance more than the actual class, and it's quite comical to watch her and her very limited attention span try to follow the other kiddos and teachers - especially while she can see herself in a mirror. John Lee often says she has the attention span of a gnat, and that has never been more apparent than in dance class. Hopefully, it is just a phase that she will outgrow as she gets older. Nevertheless, all of us really enjoy watching her during practice, and can't wait until her recital in May.
All in all, our Avery amazes us every single day. She is smart beyond her years. She loves with all that she has. She is as spicy as they come. She constantly has us on our toes. She is one of a kind.
Evan Matthew:
This year was a big year for our Brother Bear, Evan. In March, we found out that he would have to wear a cranial reshaping helmet to help correct his flat head (a result of him being a preemie). It wasn't an easy time for our family, especially Evan. He had to wear the helmet 23 hours a day during the hottest part of the summer. Let me tell you, that thing stunk - both literally and figuratively. After 4 months, he came out of the experience with a gorgeous head. We are so thankful for modern medicine (and a good health insurance plan) - especially where our Evan has been concerned.
When I say that 2012 was a big year for Evan, I truly mean it. He learned to crawl. He learned to walk. He is learning to talk. He turned one. He has three teeth. He has grown into a toddler - faster than I like. It really amazes me how much faster the time has seemed to fly by with Evan, as compared to Avery. I guess that is what happens with the second child.
Evan will start school in 2013. It will be bittersweet for me, as I will definitely welcome a morning off once per week to get some stuff done "kid free", but I will also miss our solo-time, while sister is at school.
Overall, he is such a great kid. I feel so blessed to have him in my life. He loves his momma, daddy and sister so much - never hesitating to share a good hug, or even better, a sloppy kiss. He just makes us very happy - everyday.
John Lee and Emily:
As for John Lee and me, we are loving life, and everything that it throws our way. John Lee is still a Systems Engineer; however, he did start a new position with a new company in January. They are a great company, and he is enjoying his new roll. I continue to stay home with the kiddos and sell Scentsy on the side. Both "jobs" are great and I couldn't be more thankful that I am able to do them. I am especially thankful to John Lee - he works hard so I can stay home with our kiddos. I know I don't tell him enough, but being here for every single thing in the kids' lives is the best gift he could ever give me.
We have been fortunate enough to be able to take a couple "adults only" trips this year. In June, we went to Albuquerque for our eight-year wedding anniversary. We saw a Primus concert, and John Lee surprised me with a resort/spa package, complete with an awesome massage. Just last week, we checked off an item on both of our bucket lists. We went to Oakland for a Raiders (John Lee's favorite NFL team) game, then spent the weekend in beautiful San Fransisco. While we were there, we toured Alcatraz, went to China Town and rented a "GoCar" to tour the city. It was one of the greatest weekends we have had. These trips would not be possible without some great people in our lives that come hang out with the kids - Grandma (my mom), Momo and Popo (John Lee's parents, Roberta (Evan's Godmother), and Matt (my cousin) and Kim (Matt's fiance). They are always ready to help out and give us some "time off", and for that, we are so blessed. Thank you all!
As a family we have also traveled some this year - mainly to see our extended families. In April, we visited my family in Minnesota. It was so nice to spend Easter up North. I can't recall the last holiday that I had spent up there. Over Labor Day, we got to go to San Antonio to visit John Lee's family. We love to visit everyone - always having a great time. All of our nieces and nephews are growing so fast, and we really love the young ladies and gentlemen they are becoming.
So that is what 2012 has brought our family. It has really been a great year. We look forward to an even better 2013.
From our family to yours, Merry Christmas!
Emily, John Lee, Avery and Evan
Super cute!! Many blessings!
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