Ryan and Jen's Page!: Happy Holidays

Happy new year!
I can't believe that 2012 has come to a close and we have entered 2013- oh the wonders that have come with the last year and oh the blissful insanity. We had a wonderful and eventful 2012, but hopefully 2013 will be a little less dramatic. I think my beautiful (aka smoking hot) wife will also agree. The birth of the Everator, Audrey's constant shenanigans, a Notre Dame football season for the ages, and now Jen's new pregnancy with our third. :-) Just kidding on that last part. I couldn't resist.

The winter season has been less than kind to our little entourage- first Influenza A (despite all getting their flu shots) and now a stomach bug that just won't go away. Poor Auds unwrapped a large number of her Christmas presents with one hand over her mouth, fearful that she might throw up again. Thankfully, we're all on the mend...but it's amazing how quickly illness makes it way through a family. We are eagerly awaiting an ear infection or strep throat and will keep you posted on that front (please appreciate the dripping sarcasm).

The winter hasn't been all bad though- Auds received a stockpile of Christmas presents from Santa and the family. One of the favorites has been her new ice-skates. We've already been out to the skating rink several times this year and Audrey really has become fearless with it. It definitely has helped to have her watching other kids her age/size skating around. There was a 6 year old Brendon just a few inches taller who was whizzing around the ice with us yesterday. Audrey was far less fearful while he was skating around with us. Always the social butterfly.

Everett has really hit a few strides of his own. Jen and I agree that he has formally graduated from tummy time school. He has gotten much more tolerant of this exercise and this fits with his smiley disposition. He still struggles a bit with going to bed in his crib, but with some increased irritability recently, we are now constantly wondering when the first teeth are going to be popping through. He has been introduced to the great outdoors with a few Audrey induced white-washings. While I would like to say that Audrey does a good job holding Everett on her lap while riding in the sled, Everett would quickly disagree. Nothing like a little bit of frostbite age the age of 5 months.

Jen and I are busier than ever. When it gets really busy, we wave at each other in the morning and then agree to hang out sometime over the weekend. In all seriousness, I think we have handled the challenges of two kids fairly well. We also know too many families with 3 and 4 kids to feel like we can complain too much. Although, this a perfect though to say how amazing Jen has been the last year. She has done an amazing job with the kids the last 5 months. Anyway, I hope that you all enjoy the pictures. Happy New Year! Go Irish! Much love, Ryan, Jen, Auds, Everator