hello 2013

That title took more brain power to type than I would really like to admit.  I also wrote a check to the kennel today and had to really concentrate so I wouldn't have to scratch out "2012" and rewrite "2013."  And I just had an embarrassingly difficult time with those last numbers.  My fingers are in protest to what I am supposed to type, apparently.

So here we are, 2013.  I know it's been coming, but the end of the year really snuck up on me.  Team Hildebrand traveled to Dayton for Jesse's side of the family annual New Years Eve shindig.  We all had fun, but Jesse and I decided on the way home that it will take a few years for the New Years party to settle back down into the happy routine it has been for the past however long the Brennan family has been doing the get togethers.  I was invited to attend the festivities for the first time for the 2006-2007 bash, as a girlfriend, when the number of family members in attendance was 12 (everyone minus Matt).  The family has steadily grown since then: Jesse and I got married in 2007; Matt and Erin in 2008; Lisa and Elliot in 2009; Rick and Nikki in 2010 + Jesse and I added Lily; everyone held their breath in 2011 for 2012 because last year the Brennan clan added 4 more babies with Koleen arriving in April, Emma in June and twins Noah and Brianna in November.  So if you are quick with numbers, you can see that in the past 6 years, the family has grown from 13 to 22.  Whew.  Needless to say, with the majority of the family all in one house (thanks, Lisa!), there were babies and baby things everywhere, causing a bit more stress for the parents, a lot more noise and a lot more cuddling for everyone.  I text Erin on my way home to let her know that one of my girls had stolen a toy of Kole's and she responded with something like "if that is the only baby thing that went home with the wrong person, we are doing well."  Amen, sister.

We really did have a good time, though Jesse didn't get to play as many computer games with his cousins as normal, and I didn't get to go shopping at the outlets like I normally do.  My Dooney and Bourke purse collection didn't expand any this year (*sigh*), but we did get to spend some good quality time with his family.  Unfortunately, it seemed like several of our family members were sick or just feeling under the weather.  Or had a baby under the age of 1 and didn't get to sleep at nights.  Lily decided to get a fever and was pretty lethargic half the time, but seems to be doing better now.  I blame the vaccine she got before we left on Friday.  It was an adventure for us all staying in the same hotel room, but Lily slept through Emma waking up in the night, Emma slept through Lily talking in her sleep and Jesse slept through all of it.  We are optimistic that we will be able to move the girls into the same bedroom before too long and reclaim one of the rooms upstairs as a computer room/office/guest room/something.

Looking back over the year, we definitely had our high points and low points, but who didn't?  It was definitely a full year for us, packed with changes and memories that I will hopefully be able to look back on in a few years and actually remember.  Jesse changed jobs (for the better) and we added Emma to our family.  Lily is a fantastic big sister and adores her little sister.  Our garden was fairly successful for a first year garden and I didn't kill anything in it, and even learned to can some of our produce.  I'm definitely looking forward to see what 2013 (typed without hesitating!  I'm on my way!) has to bring us!

you knew this picture was coming..

Lily was a big "help" to Rick and Nikki with the babies..I think this is when she decided to pull Bri from her carseat by herself.

Lily cuddling "No-yuh and other Noyuh!"

Emma face palming Noah into the cushion. poor guy, better get used to it with all these girl cousins.

I'm sorry for the poor quality: when you can spontaneously get 5 kids under the age of 2.5 to all be happy at the same time, you don't get the time to play with camera settings and lighting, you  just snap pictures.  Anyway (L-R): Koleen Echo, Brianna Helen, Lily Anne, Noah Alan and Emma Joann.  And Grandpa Brennan with all his great grand babies (so far!).

I love this.

Also, 12/29 marked Jesse and my 5th wedding anniversary.  I could get all sentimental about this and go on and on needlessly about our 5 years of marriage, but I think I can easily sum it up by saying that he is finally on my page about food: when I made BBQ chicken and baked potatoes the other day, I asked what he would like as another side dish.  He requested mashed potatoes.  A man after my own heart.

Be on the lookout for more pictures soon!