2012 in review

This post is inspired by Spike who wrote up her 2012 in review. I'll attempt to do the same. Not sure how I will choose 1 picture from each month, but we'll see how it goes... 

January 2012: We spent the holidays at home in San Diego getting ready for baby Aaron's arrival in March. It was low-key and celebratory for the holidays but as busy as it can be when you are large and pregnant.

Ice skating with Daddy. Mommy sidelined with a pregnant belly. 

February 2012: Adam, Daniella, Max & Leo came to visit us and we went to Disneyland. The kids had school, tennis and dance classes throughout the month. 

Taking a break at Disneyland

Kyle & Emily already helping Aaron:finding his heartbeat at the 34 week appointment

Kyle, Emily & belly Aaron

March 2012: Big month here. We got a mini-van. Kyle started karate. We went to the beach. Aaron Miles was born on March 12th making us a family of 5. The kids got awards at school. Karen & Pete came to visit. 

My babies

April 2012: Papa & Kari come to visit. Grandma & Mike come to visit. Jeff and I celebrate our 8th wedding anniversary. We celebrate Easter with brunch at the Del. Our nephew Trevor is born. Emily builds her first fairy house. We celebrate Earth Day at the movie Chimpanzee. Aaron starts sleeping gloriously well. 

Cutie

May 2012: Spike comes to visit. Aaron giggles. We visit a monkey sanctuary. We go to Chicago / Ohio. This was the last farm visit before it was sold in December 2012. We celebrate Mother's Day at Disneyland. 

Our greats around 1800

On the farm in Ohio

Smiling at Spike

June 2012: Kyle & Emily finish Kindergarten. We start off our summer of swimming. Aaron takes his first beach trip. We attend a fairy festival. Emily joins karate. Emily loses her first tooth. We celebrate Father's Day. I spend a 'fun' Saturday night at the ER with a kidney stone. Jeff reaches the Super Dad ranks (just in case he wasn't already there) caring for all 3 kids while I was sick and even takes them out shopping and entertains them. Emily has a dance recital and we celebrate at the tea house. Kyle & Jeff win the father-son tennis doubles tournament. 

How fairy Emily sleeps

At the pool

July 2012: It's hot. Emily has dance camp. Kyle has tennis camp. We go to the horse races. Kyle & Emily turn 6. We celebrate at Disneyland. Kyle gets his first yellow stripe in karate. Jeff cooks us up a beach bonfire dinner. 

At concerts in the park

August 2012: Clark comes to San Diego for work and meets Aaron. Aaron gets his first tooth. Leonardi comes to town. Aaron learns to sit. The kids go to trampoline camp. Aaron tries his first solid food. 

Jeff's clone

September 2012: Kyle & Emily start 1st grade and are in the same class. Kyle loses his first tooth. We go to Chicago again. Our nephew Ethan is born. 

Aunt Kristin & Aaron

Kyle, Emily & Ryan in the bounce house

Aaron & Grandma

Daddy & Aaron

October 2012: We have a lot of family and friend time. Aaron takes his first trip to the Irish pub. Aaron thinks about crawling. Emily gets her first yellow stripe in karate. We are the Incredibles for Halloween. 

The Incredibles!

November 2012: Back to Chicago for Thanksgivings. We see all the cousins, aunts and uncles. We visit a trampoline wonderland. Aaron learns to sign "more". We visit with Grandma Sondra, Grandpa Newt & Auntie Judy in Milwaukee. 

Grandma Sondra with her great-grand children

Jeff, Kyle & Emily at sunset in OB

December 2012: We spend the holidays in San Diego and do all kinds of fun holiday activities: Big Bay Balloon Parade, Jungle Bell lights at the zoo, ice skating, gingerbread houses, Garrison Street lights, cutting down our own Christmas tree and decorating the house for the holidays. Kyle and Emily put on a play. Aaron gets his first haircut. Aaron gets 2 more teeth. Emily & Kyle get awards at school. Our niece Charlotte is born. 

Aaron Claus

Garrison Street lights