Last Day of Winter Break

Today is the last day of Winter Break. We have been enjoying our time at home...

Dylan's first tea party.

Super Heroes ... off to save Santa!

Breakfast in bed.

Monkey Joes!

Explorers on a search for bugs.

Beauty Parlor.

Scooter Princess.

Hair Salon. (The doll head got a lot of action)

Happy 2013!

What to say about 2012... it was pretty darn good! Of course, there were ups and downs, good and bad, but overall I can not complain (at all). 

 

As we welcomed 2013 today, I prayed that I would be able to stand up on ice skates, help pull up Ellison if she fell, not give Graham hillarious blooper videos, and that both, Ellison and I, would leave the ice skating rink unscathed. 

 

Prayers answered and one fun afternoon later, I can honestly say that I look forward to an amazing 2013!  I can not wait to see what is in store for my family and friends. 

 

Ice skates on... still on the sidelines.

It took us one hour to go around the rink... once.

Don't let the pictures fool you, Ellison was much improved by our 4th trip around the rink.

Olivia came to cheer us on and joined us for a trip to Park Avenue afterwards.

Dylan slept through the humiliation (actually, I did fine - sarcasm), but woke up in time for ice cream.

Future Newswoman

Ellison is a performer... when she wants to be!  The second part of my last sentence is the part that should be emphasized.  Ellison will dance, sing, model, gab... if its her choice and it meets her conditions.  The below video was supposed to be a Happy Birthday video for my Mom.  Instead, she surprised me with a blurb on her baby elephant.  I especially love the send off.

Finally Old!

Uncle Drew has always seemed so young in comparison to Graham and I.  It helps his cause that he is actually younger and married to an even younger lady (early 20s).  As Uncle Drew graced hit 30 on December 30th, I finally feel like he is old... like us. Happy Birthday Uncle Drew! 

Fabulous and 60!

My Mom celebrated her 60th Birthday on December 29th!  I really can not accurately describe how lucky I am to have such an amazing woman in my life.  She has been a source of encouragement and strength.  She has taught me how to be a mother. She has told me that if I want something, I can achieve it.  I am forever grateful.  I love you Mom!  Happy 60th - you are fabulous!

Merry, Merry Everything

 

Over the last week, we have crafted presents, baked treats, spent time with neighbors, enjoyed family celebrations, welcomed Santa's arrival, and played with some pretty awesome toys.  From our family to yours, we hope you are as blessed as we have been this Christmas.

The Clarks have arrived to the Annual Ackley Christmas Celebration.

The Ackley siblings.

Sweet Olivia.

Enjoying the Beaman Christmas Eve.

Ellison spent a lot of time crafting presents for loved ones this year.



All of this celebrating, left a very tired Ellison.

Sleepy girls on Christmas morning.

Santa Time

The kids are out of school, I took the day off, and Santa was on the Agenda. Luckily, our wait was only an hour (I have had to wait longer) and the kids were happy to wait and see Santa!