Happy 2012!

We got the house ready for our annual New Year's Eve family party but then we headed out to Middletown to go to Middnight on Main. There were fireworks at 6pm and the Harding - Wheelers love our fireworks! They shot them off from a building at an intersection on Main Street - it was amazing!

Grammy and Papa were at mass in MIddletown so they surprised us and met us on Main Street!

Lizzie is such a Grammy's girl!

Mommy and Daddy loved being with our family to ring in the New Year on Main Street with fireworks and food! It was a great event and we can't wait to see what they are going to do next year!

Grammy and Papa on Main Street.

My favorite people in the entire world on Main Street in Middletown, CT.

I didn't get a picture but Bob's idea of heaven was on Green Street. 20 street vendor trucks in a parking lot filled with food and smells - the kids thought the food was great too!

Ellie getting a ride from Papa!

The fireworks!

Annie loved fireworks - especially when she is holding her Daddy's hand.

Lizzie looks like a little orphan - the poor kid! I swear that we do wash her face and brush her hair occasionally! You have to love those gorgeous blue eyes!

Molly was a little cold but had fun watching the fireworks - Papa ended up taking Ellie back to the care because she was a little bit scared of the noises. Peter and Grammy had opted to watch from the care earlier on because it was so cold out!

Warming up in Papa's car!

Bob and I were fighting over which one of us loved Molly more and her response was adorable.

"Hey, people, relax- there's enough Molly to go around!" There can never be enough Molly!

Annie Bananie loves her cucumber teeth!

Playing around with KK - did I mention that the party was a pajama party!

Queenie and Lila hanging out!

Lizzie Bug in her Grammy piggy tails - she likes the way Grammy does them so I don't try to compete!

Daddy and Lila having a snack to ring in the New Year!

Lizzie and Brendan having some auntie fun!

The big kids - they look like teenagers and during this vacation they have started sleeping like teenagers too!

Uncle B and Peter - they loved the pigs in a blanket!

Brendan always finds the oddest things in the playroom - like the bike helmets!

Brendan Walter - I still remember the New Year's Eve when we found out Meg was having twins!

daddy and his girls! Yes - the binky fairy is coming very soon! Gives you a hint as to how challenging Lizzie is that at three she still has it all the time!

Auntie Beth and Molly - they look alike in this picture!

Auntie Beth and Annie - Annie keeps asking why she can't go back to LA with Auntie Beth - "Just for a little bit of whiles!"

Kk and her appendage - when Kk is here Ellie never leaves her side unless she has to!

Tim celebrated his 30th Birthday on December 30th and since Meg worked all night we didn't get to have a party! The kids picked out a Strawberry cheescake - because we know Uncle Tim loves cheesecake and we all got to sing happy birthday to him!

Lila and Brendan helped him blow out the candles on his cake!

Brendan is ready for some cake!

The kids did not get cheescake - they had purple frosted cupcakes instead!

I love this kids smile!

Annie had frosting up her nose!

Ellie Bean loving her cupcake!

The men hanging out in the kitchen - don't let those macho faces fool you - they had cheescake and sparkling cider too!

Lizzie was planted on Grammy's lap for most of the night!

Ready for our "midnight" toast!

"Cheers" for Papa and Peter

Brendan having some "Champagne"!

Lila walked around the room trying to get more "champagne" once Daddy's was gone - it was kind of adorable!

Ellie is excited to be a big kid and get a glass!

Annie and her BFF all in pink!

Grammy and Buggy

Bob getting his Lila kisses - he can not get enough of this little girl!

We had a wonderful night despite the fact that we were all battling a little bit of a cold and we had some cranky sleepy kids! We missed seeing Auntie Ann and Sister Anne at the fireworks in Middletown but the weather did a number on everyone! The kids have a had a wonderful vacation with lots of time with Auntie Beth, their friends and Grammy and Papa - I am going to miss having them home next week but I think a return to the normal pace of life is going to be good for everyone!

I hit the Winter Market today for our farm box and we got lots of great stuff to try with the kids! A friend is helping me with meals so that I am cooking lighter and healthier in the New Year for the kids and I have added a lot of homemade Spanish and Mexican spices to our pantry thanks to a friend at work!  KK (My hero!) found me the Vegetarian Chili I have been looking everywhere for so my lunches will be set for next week and the kids are stocked up on fruit and veggies for their lunches next week! The family goals for the year 2012 are officially set in stone and Molly and Pete are responsible for typing them up tomorrow!

1. Eat more raw veggies and fruits (especially for snacks)

2. Exercise 60 minutes per day

3. Family meals at least 5 times per week

4. Less TV and Video games

5. Start a savings for a trip to LA

6. Brush teeth 3 times per day - including the little ones!

7. Practice kindness and compassion daily

8. Involve kids in cooking meals

9. 30 minutes of family quiet time before bed - NO TV

10. Mass every single weekend without fail

Wish us luck! Thanks to all of you who are a part of our lives - we are so blessed to be surrounded by loving and supportive people that nurture and love our children!

Happy 2012!

GNM -ILY!