Fun times in the snow.

Depending on where you live, you may or may not be familiar with the snowstorm that rolled through our area on Sunday. It was the first real snow fall we've had this winter, so we can't really complain, but still. No one wants to deal with a foot of snow at once.

Meteorologists predicted a good amount of snow, shown in the picture above, and while we didn't get as much as expected, their estimates weren't too far off. I went out to shovel the driveway in the morning while there was a break in snow fall. After 45 minutes in the freezing cold, I was done and came back inside.

It was like a freaking blizzard. Hours passed and the snow continued to fall. By the time the radar showed that the storm had done it's damage, I went back outside for another 45 minute shovel session. It was a good thing that I was in the mood for a decent workout, because I got it. Cameron didn't mind though. After he woke up from his nap, he got snowsuited up and headed out to play with Daddy. He stayed out for about 15 minutes and cried when he had to come in. He has a bit of a cold, so his nose was running pretty badly. Maybe next time he can enjoy the snow a little longer.

Christmas Recap.

Like always, I've been a terrible blogger and haven't posted about our Christmas yet. We were spoiled.

We started off with Christmas Eve at Josh's mom & stepdad's house. They always order pizza and we open gifts together. Cameron and Hannah had been trying to open the presents at home for weeks at this point, and seeing the gifts at Nana's house made it even more exciting. I didn't take very many pictures while we were there, but these are the best ones from Christmas Eve.

We stayed there until 7:30-ish, then came home to put out our cookies and milk for Santa Claus.

Soon after the kids went to sleep, Santa came!

Hannah's loot

Cameron's pile

Gifts from Grammy, Auntie, Mom & Daddy.

I woke up early (without crying kids, ugh) and got ready for the day. By 7, I couldn't wait any more and woke the kids up. Cameron is usually pretty cranky if he gets woken up, but not on Christmas!

The kids played with their new toys while Josh and I tried to clean up the living room around them. It looked like Toys R Us and a neighboring wrapping paper store exploded in our house. It took us about 2 days to find a home for all the new toys and to move older ones out. To say our dumpster was full for trash pick up last week is an understatement.

Late Christmas morning, we loaded up the kids and drove to my grandparents' house. I've been doing that for as long as I can remember. We always have an awesome brunch there, and everyone got to see the kids. I didn't take my camera with me, so no pictures from there. The kids were spoiled there, too.

The day after Christmas (still in the middle of clean up at this point) was a pretty relaxed day. We cleaned up at home until noon, then went back to Josh's mom's house. There, we did Christmas with his grandparents and his aunt/uncle/cousins from out of town. Once again, the kids were spoiled. One of my many new years' resolutions is to stop buying them so much stuff throughout the year so that when Christmas comes, it's more fun for them.

Anyway, pictures from that party -

I know what you're thinking. "Geez, this chick's pictures are freaking terrible!" But not for long, folks. Thanks to the post I made last week on this here lovely blog, I am now the proud owner of a speedlite flash for my camera. Gone are the days of terrible pictures due to low/crappy light. Look forward to better looking pictures in 2012. :)

Before we start enjoying 2012..

..let's take a trip back and remember 2011. And if you're REALLY feeling reminiscent, here is a look back on 2010. :)

It's fun to see how much they've grown in the past year. Hannah especially. She started off 2011 as a little chunk with huge cheeks, and now she's a walking machine that has slimmed down. I look forward to watching my babies change even more in 2012 and enjoying them while I still can. By this time next year, I will have a 2 year old and a 4 year old. Hold me.

My 2012 Wishlist.

2011 has been a decent year. Like so many others, we had our bumps, but we got through everything and look forward to a year with little (or no) hiccups.

In 2012, I want to do a lot of things.

I want a new flash for my camera. I'm tired of crappy looking photos in crappy lighting.

I want a wireless remote for my camera, so maybe I can be IN some of the pictures.

This is a want that is more a NEED, but I want to lose the rest of my weight. I've been working on it on and off for more than a year, and I'm ready to feel better about myself again. I wouldn't mind seeing a size 8 tag on my clothes in 2012. 

I want to get away for a few days with my husband. This has been offered for the Spring, but I haven't decided where I might like to go. First world problems over here. Spending time with just him, no diapers to change, my noses to wipe, no fights to referee.. Ahh, it sounds amazing. 

I want to keep up my GPA in school, and hopefully do well in my classes in 2012. I have a lot on my plate educationally (is that a word?) and have a ways to go before I can obtain a degree. I started off my college education with a bang, and I plan on making sure it ends that way as well.

Christmas Stuff.

We've had our tree/decorations up since Black Friday. We've been respecting the turkey and doing everything on Black Friday for the past couple of years, and it has worked out well. I love our tree and the decorations, so why not have them up for as long as possible?

The ornaments are all jacked up because Hannah likes to play with / reorganize them.

We also brought an elf into our house to help Santa keep track of Cameron & Hannah. He is always finding fun stuff to do while he watches.

like zip lining.. 

roasting marshmallows.. 

hanging out in Cameron's stocking..

and fishing.

Having Chipmunk (that is what Cameron named the elf) in our house has been helpful. Cameron knows that Chipmunk talks to Santa, so he needs to behave. He loves getting up in the morning and going to find Chipmunk. I just need to keep the creative ideas coming, because there are still 18 more nights until Santa comes!