Happy New Year

Last night, CK and I left the girls with a sitter while we walked next door to help celebrate Marco's 50th birthday and the arrival of 2014! We've been at Marco and Stacy's the past few years with another couple and it's been a relaxed and fun evening, but we also haven't been able to stay up past 11:30 the past few years either! This year, Marco and Stacy planned a catered party with about 40 friends, co-workers and neighbors. We were really looking forward to the evening together and ended up having a great time. The food was great and it was a fun, low-key night. We actually ended up staying awake and made it home around 12:30am! A new record for us. The girls were great for the sitter and went to bed on time for her. Of course, we had Sofia visit us around 5am just to be sure we'd made it home.

Although the girls have been sleeping in until 8:30/9am the past week, Olivia woke up at 7:30 and Sofia was awake shortly after, so it was a bit of an early morning. I made orange cinnamon rolls yesterday afternoon and stuck them in the fridge after they were done rising. I put them in the oven and we enjoyed orange cinnamon rolls and scrambled eggs after everyone was fully awake! After breakfast, we decided to go for a long walk with Buddy and Sofia actually rode her bike the entire time and was way ahead of us on the path for most of the time. Olivia was in the stroller "walking" Buddy the entire time while singing and chattering away to no one in particular. We took CK to "hidden lakes" which is one of Sofia's favorite places and is a bit of a hidden area among another neighborhood. Buddy decided to go into the water and was very wet and muddy. We headed home and gave Buddy a much-needed bath before Olivia took a nap and the three of us hung out and watched football.

Around 2pm, CK and I got back into the kitchen and made hoppin john from a recipe I used last year and was happy with. It turned out great and is so easy to make. CK also made cornbread. After all was ready, we ate and enjoyed our traditional New Year's meal!

No resolutions yet, but I'm sure I'll come up with some. This past year flew by so quickly that I feel like I'm still wrapping up from the final days. I'll start focusing on 2014 soon....

The two of us at Marco's birthday party/New Year's Eve Party! What a fun night!

Our traditional breakfast of orange cinnamon rolls and scrambled eggs

Ready to eat!

The four of us. Happy New Year!