Winter Blues

Ok, let's face it.  I have a BAD case of winter blues.  In the past 6 weeks our house has hosted the stomach flu, a cold, another cold, 8 days of influenza, and now an ear infection.  At 3 a.m. this morning I cried in vain, "when will it ever end?!"  Do you feel sorry for me yet?  You should.

BUT, there are many bright spots.  Camilla is talking up a storm.  She has her first word, "Pippi".  Lucky dog.  She also attempts several animals sounds like moo, barking, and meow.  She waves anytime we put on our coats or if anyone says "goodbye!".  Camilla claps for exciting moments and gives high fives.  She has recently discovered dancing which involves stomping her feet really fast and spinning.  It's great.

What do you do to combat the winter blues?  Earlier this fall Ryan and I saw this ultraviolet light called a "happy lamp" at Costco.  I knew I was going to regret walking away from that one!  At least we still have Camilla to cheer us up.

Celebrate!

At the end of December we celebrate 2 special occasions, Camilla's 1st birthday and Ryan's graduation from  the University of Kansas.

It's was a day with many years of anticipation for our family and it didn't disappoint.   I want to thank everyone who came from near and far to celebrate these two special people, because they really are pretty stinking special.  Congratulations Ryan Mullen and Happy Birthday my sweet baby.

Christmas 2012

I have always loved Christmas, Camilla makes it even better.  We spent Christmas day at home, just the three of us.  We stayed in our pajamas all day, played with Camilla's new barn and ate way too much chocolate.  We stuck to our tradition this year of reading a Christmas book and baked bread for the neighbors instead of cookies.

The highlight of Christmas were the visitors.  My sister, Jenny, brought her family in town the week after Christmas and also my brother Sam came home.  It had been way too long since I had last seen them.  It's funny how I can talk to my sister on the phone at least once a week, but it will never replace having a dance party with her in my parents living room.

Wishing you all a happy and bright New Year!