2013 was not the year for our cars. Our Sonata was hit pretty bad by someone on the front bumper. They never left a note, so we had to pay out of pocket to have it fixed. Then at the beginning of December a young girl hit me in our new car. That didn't last long. :( Thankfully, we were all okay and she had insurance! Our car is currently in the shop, so hopefully it comes out as good as new.
It is scary getting into an accident with an infant in the car. So thankful this little girl is just as happy as can be and doing well.
After Thanksgiving, I decorated for Christmas. This year marked the first year the tree was enclosed in a baby gate. It definitely made life easier with Annabelle running around.
Her favorite Christmas toy ended up being our dancing Santa Claus. I think it was her first friend she's ever had. She would share her food and toys with him and ask us to turn him on to dance.
One of my favorite things about Christmas is the music. Annabelle seemed to enjoy the music as well and wanted to play the piano often.
I hope she continues to love music.
My little flexible child thinks that you should also play piano with your toes, not just fingers.
Then the day came when it was time for us to pack up our bags and hit the road for Georgia to spend Christmas with the Tolsma clan (as many as could be there). We left the Friday before Christmas at 9 p.m. and drove as far as we could while Annabelle slept. That landed us in Valdosta around 1:00 a.m., so we booked a hotel and took it easy. Annabelle was excited to be in a new place, so she didn't want to sleep right away. We ended up sleeping in and enjoying breakfast at the hotel with all the other people on the road traveling for Christmas. I think we were one of the last cars to leave. We made it to my brother's house by Saturday afternoon.
Just in time for the party and for mama T to bring the cold to the family.
Snuggles with my bestie niece, Kayla.
Annabelle spent most of her time chasing the cat around the house and finding all the neat things a new place had to offer. She kept us busy and everyone enjoyed watching us chase her around. She wouldn't sleep either because there were too many fun things to do that she did not want to miss out on. Eventually, she would wear herself out and crash wherever she happened to be.
She loved looking out their window.
Girl time.
We even took a half day to ourselves to go see Frozen (my first movie since Annabelle) and do a little shopping.
Annabelle trying to open her presents up early.
Cousin time!
It was colder in Georgia than we're used to here in Florida, so in order to stay warm we sometimes had to eat breakfast in snow clothes.
Kayla and I making the traditional deviled eggs.
We went to a wonderful dinner at Jim and Kathy's house, my sister in law's parents.
After dinner, we went on a car ride to see the Christmas lights around town.
Christmas morning: the kiddos were singing Jingle Bells with Grandma before they could come down the stairs to see what Santa brought them!
We're so happy Grandma could make it to Georgia and spend Christmas with us!
Family of three.
Annabelle's first Christmas.
She liked the toys she got, but it took her awhile to open her presents.
Christmas morning breakfast break. There were a lot of presents to open!
No family vacation is complete without a Kayla selfie on your camera that you discover later. Silly little elf.
It was a wonderful trip to Georgia and we enjoyed seeing those who were able to make it this year. Really missed our Seattle peeps! Big thanks to Jason and Lori for hosting us and letting us baby proof your home again. :)
Before hitting the road again, we took a time out for some bowling before saying goodbye.
This time on our way home, we decided to make a pitstop in Jacksonville to see Robert's family.
We got to enjoy Christmas morning round two.
Annabelle did a little better with her presents with Grandma Fountain's help.
The family enjoying gifts.
Annabelle was excited to find another pet to terrorize. Same name as the last one, Blizzard, but much bigger!
We were all pretty sick, so we spent a lot of our time in Jacksonville resting and taking it easy. We did enjoy some nice dinners out with the family though, but were sad we did not get to see our friend's new baby, Lucas, as planned.
We made it home without any complications. Our car battery died the very next day after we got home! I returned back to work, but Robert still had a week off, so I enjoyed some quiet time at work and we spent the rest of the week unpacking, putting Christmas away, catching up on things and cleaning/reorganizing the house.
We were so wiped out from all our travels that we enjoyed spending New Year's Eve alone and at home resting. We played some games on my new Wii and watching the countdown on TV. Annabelle took a nap but woke up to ring in the New Year with us. She was a trooper.
One good thing about staying home where we live is that you get to enjoy all the firework shows in the Bay area from the balcony.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Mom...Dad...seriously, this is embarrassing.
An apple juice toast to ring in the New Year.
We were very blessed during 2013, especially with the healthy birth of Annabelle and the wonderful year we've spent with her. We're looking forward to 2014 by celebrating Annabelle's first birthday, taking a few fun trips, and welcoming the newest family member in July.
Presenting our big news we shared with family and friends over the holidays.
Here's to 2014!
