Au Revoir

Two Thousand Twelve is full of highlights.

• Dominican Republic with Damon and Costa Rica with Damon and my best friend
• Kids got lots of quality time with their grandparents and great grandparents
• Bauer and Emberly learned to swim and spent the summer in the pool
• My best half marathon
• Saw all of our favorite people in Tennessee and Georgia
• Emberly is thriving in Kindergarten

I think I'm ready to say goodbye to 2012.  Photo recap starts here!

Distracted by NYE

Dominicanos Honorarios

Warming Up

Candy Coated

5 years old

Special

Again {side note: this is the last time I ever saw this shirt. :( Me thinks the husband abandoned it at the cleaners...}

Oh Happy Day

Centerville

Blush

Pleats & Coral

Man about Town

The Weekend

Sleeves

Swag

Besties

Liesure

Thankful

The Weekend

Bun-dos

Plaid

Christmas seemed like a good day to break in my plaid blazer I scored on clearance at Target!

Shirt: AE
Blazer and belt: Target
Jeans and shoes: Top Shop and Sperry via Nordstrom

S'mores and Jammies

I hope everyone had a lovely, joyful Christmas.
We're just getting settled in from lots of hopping around and driving and I wanted to share a couple pictures from Christmas Eve: the kids in their spanking new Christmas PJs and fireplace s'mores.

The Weekend

My best girlfriend just graduated!  I went on my first road trip by myself with both kids.  We had a grand time.

Bun-dos

Last week I saw this post on holiday hairstyles and was inspired by Thandie Newton's hair.

Source: 3.bp.blogspot.com via Amber on Pinterest

Buns are such an easy no-heat required style for natural hair and this was an interesting take.  Thandie looks striking to me, however I wasn't sure if I would like it in real-life, on myself.  But I went for it.

What do you think? It reminds me of those little pill box hats (or like this) women wore in the 40's and 50s with the netting in front. Maybe next time I'll tuck some lace netting into it ;)

Top: Vince Camuto via Nordstrom
Pants: Top Shop via Nordstrom
Jacket: H&M
Bracelet and belt: NY&Co
Purse: Target
Shoes: super old Nine West

Two of Us

Last week Emberly and I took a trip to the dentist.  Just the two of us.

{spelling}

{portraiture}

And what trip to the dentist is complete without some sugar laden sweet right after the timer on your fluoride treatment is up?!

Emberly earned the sundae by participating in a reading challenge at school.  I however earned a delicious salad of arugula, golden beets, red quinoa, toasted pecans and citrus vinaigrette.  So tasty.

The Weekend

Ready to party with mom and dad

{ahhhh!}

{these two were chasing each other and Bauer ended up on the floor covered in slobber from some serious kisses}

{dancing with the big dancing musical santa bear}

{after many holiday tunes, time to karaoke to some Carly Rae Jepsen with daddy}

{ready for the kids-only holiday party with daycare friends}

As my children enjoyed a weekend full of Christmas festivities, it was hard for me to not think about the children in Connecticut who should've been doing the same and how difficult Christmas will be for their families this year and likely for many years to come.  My heart aches for them.
I held mine close and was so happy that they willingly accepted my abundant kisses.