Our 2012 made a change of pace than the previous two years (here and here) as I was in no way, shape, or form prepared to host guests at our house for a party like we have in the past.  Mainly because I wasn't even entirely sure that I'd be able to stay awake for the ball to drop.  But we of course weren't ready to throw in the towel for some new years celebrating - so like in years past, we set our sights on the annual Gilmore New Years celebration (this was actually Brandon & my very first dates after our first kiss on new years eve 2000) and had the luck of having Jon & Ninny in tow:)

Before heading to the party, we made a quick pit stop at Brandon's parent's house to visit with Gigi since she wasn't feeling well.



Then my sisters, parents, and I exchanged numerous photo texts of each other from our various locations across Western PA because we all had separate party plans and missed each other.


Gilmore New Years eve is always filled with fun and laughter, but Brandon's favorite part of the holiday is spending time with his cousins, (who they have self-dubbed themselves 'the four horseman'...as in the apocalyptic horseman part in due to their tendencies to drink a whole lot in a very short amount of time anytime they're ever together).  As an only child, Brandon's cousins were basically brothers to him growing up, so I can't help but smile (and occasionally shake my head at their shenanigans) when they all can get together.



Ninny is now a seasoned Studer/Gilmore/horseman wife and knows that the best way to spend your time at these events is to stay out of the way and sit back and laugh.  She and I played dress up with Grey


And they even put on a little musical interlude together at around 11:45p at night.  First of all, my 20 month old was still awake at 11:45p...second of all, musical interludes is kind of Ninny's specialty at Studer/Gilmore/horseman functions (taking into account the very first time she ever came to a new years with us and was coerced into participating into a 'talent show').  hahha, love you, Nin for being up for always being up for anything.



And Grey had fun spending time with his other Gilmore cousins, Katelyn & Alexis who were both happy to play with, wait on, or get snacks for him.


By the time the ball was dropping, I had a still-awake, albeit cranky toddler and a still-awake, albeit highly intoxicated husband on my hands.  After a quick popcorn snack (oh, Brandon...), we made our way to the truck and after locating a wandering Jon, was able to get on the road and sink into bed - thankful for another  happy, albeit busy, year come and gone.


With the new year comes resolutions which is really my favorite part about the holiday because I am such a cliche Virgo.  2011 was a great year for us; we moved closer to home, got a beautiful new house, started growing a new little studerbaby, Grey grew steadily all the while learning to walk, talk, and climb.  It was an exciting year, but a hectic one too...one that sometimes felt like we were just 'getting through' the days.  Just getting through hard parts until it would get easier and things calmed down.  But as we can see, we aren't any closer to calming down, with a new dog, more renovations, and a new baby on the way...so in the spirit of one of my favorite quotes:

"For a long time it seemed to me that life was about to begin- real life.
we decided to make-over our new years resolutions into goal categories for the year.  Brandon and I had a long discussion about how we want this year to feel less like we're just getting through the days and more like we're working towards a goal...we'll multiple goals; who we want to be in a year from now; better versions of ourselves.

So we sat down and created our 2012 goals by category and then because I'm 'that mom,' we made one for Grey too.  We arbitraily came up with the categories based off of the things that we'd like to accomplish this year...in addition to our 12 months of dates...and our 12 months of Kindness.  What can I say, I love making lists.

haha - pic of b&i my junior year of college (left) and my sisters dressed & dancing like thing 1 & thing 2 (right) So our year goals are hanging in plain sight so as to constantly remind us to keep working towards the kind of self/family/home we envision for ourselves...especially on the days that feel like we're just barely hanging on.   In case you're interested, here are our goals.  Putting them out there for others to read is kind of motivation in itself.  Anyone else busy working towards their 2012 resolutions/goals? tab and brandon's list image goal:  grow mermaid hair, then donate, then pixie cut get another tattoo/work on sleeve physical/strength goal: successfully complete the couch to 5k program get back in shape (play a whole bball game and dumbbell bench 100's) spiritual goal (or as we referred to it, getting our minds right): meditate/yoga for a half hour a day wake up at 6a everyday personal interest goal: finish the 1st draft of my novel (!!) shoot a buck & a turkey (hunting) family goal: make a family 'yearbook' get the dogs trained house goal (in): weekly meal planning (ugh, this could have been my really ambitious) complete kitchen remodel house goal (out): organize & grow a garden landscape flowerbeds (3) around the house travel goal: take kids to Baltimore aquarium & Children's museum take family to Nebraska to visit new Jurich baby! really ambitious goal: read a book a month (make list) finish man cave Grey's list physical goal: learn to swim spiritual goal: learn to say grace personal interest goal: learn to ride a tricycle brain goal: count to 10 and recognize ABCs social goal: have a sleepover! travel goal: spend a weekend (each) with Aunt Kitty, Aunt Uch, and Jonny&Ninna food goal: try 3 new foods chores goal: help clear the table & wipe it off after dinner really ambitious goal: potty train