Goodbye, 2012. T'was Fun

Since it has been three months since my last post, I'm going to write this in the style of a quarterly report.

4th Quarter - for the period from Oct. 15th through Jan. 24

Accomplishments:

• Successfully completed acquisition of candy from neighbors

This is Jake and Izzy from Disney's Jake and the Neverland Pirates for those of you who don't watch the Disney Channel on a semi-regular basis.

• Completed traditional family get-together initiative

We spent Thanksgiving Day in Gulfport with Nana and our family from Florida.  Although not pictured, Sam also attended.

• Survived the Great Whistle Crisis of Thanksgiving 2012.

For Thanksgiving at the Boller's we always do "poppers", which are paper toys that make a popping sound when you pull them open.  They contain a small surprise like a paper crown or a tiny deck of magic trick cards.  In Sam's case, it hilariously and tragically contained a plastic whistle.  He loved that whistle and had a great time with it for as long as our collective patience could endure.  In the end, the whistle was confiscated.  Tears were shed, but Sam was able to man-up and finish dinner.

• Inserted into blog- a random picture of myself being goofy...because I can.

• Completed a long journey to the North Pole

We rode the Polar Express to the North Pole.  The Polar Express is a train that departs from the train station in Palestine, TX.  It's a long drive to Palestine for a weeknight trip, but you have to pay the price if you want to see the Big Jolly Guy.

• We ate like kings

Jenn turned into Martha Stewart for Christmastime.  Oreo balls, candy pretzels, decorated cookies, and plenty of other goodies that we'll be trying to burn off for months to come.  Worth it.

By the way, your eyes aren't deceiving you.  The backsplash is green.  I installed color-changing under-cabinet lights.  I had set them on green for maximum Christmas cheer effect.

• Maximized merriment

We made sure that Santa knew we'd be home for Christmas morning.

• Overcame the Grinchfluenza

Christmas was nearly ruined by a pretty bad stomach bug.  Anna was completely out of commission for about 5 days, including Christmas Day.  She was barely able to come downstairs to open presents that Santa had brought.  We were all very fortunate that Anna did not spread the Grinchfluenza to any of the rest of us.

• Extended Christmas merriment into 2013
   

After Anna healed up, we were able to visit Nanna, Grandpa, Uncle Michael, Aunt Sarah and Cousin Nora. If you zoom in on this picture, you'll also notice a missing tooth.  Anna lost her first baby tooth.  We never found it.  We're pretty sure she swallowed it while eating a sandwich.  The Tooth Fairy was kind enough to offer a pittance despite the missing incisor.

Aarrgh! Pirate Michael was driving us nuts!

Anna absolutely loves holding her baby cousin, Nora.

• Launched climate change initiative

Anna & Sam's school had a snow day.  We're doing our part to reverse global warming.  We're makin' snow!  Why hasn't anybody else thought of this?

Sam went sledding with his friend and classmate, Lilly. 

Anna was at snow day too.  She shows less enthusiasm at school events like these, so she is not pictured here.

Which brings me to...

Goals for Next Quarter:

• Take more family pictures together

Portraits are hard.  They're even harder when one of the family runs out of the shot, Sam!

• Enjoy Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras 2012 was lots of fun.  We'll try to top it in 2013 because Anna turns 5 on Mardi Gras day!

• Blog more

Blogging is fun.  I love that our friends and family can share in our lives by reading our musings or at least skimming the pictures.  Just as important, it gives me a chance to look back on good times.  I remind myself that these times are special, and like the McRib, are here for a limited time only.  

Until next time, carpe diem, my friends!

guest post by Matt