The Carlson Family: January 2012

I seriously just deleted this entire blog post on accident. I was done with it too...WHAH! Oh well...here's a new shorter version.

Nick turned 32 on December 14th. It was a very laid-back day, and I think that's the way Nick really likes it. :) We ordered pizza, Nick played video games, and Ry and I gave him his gifts. That week we also attended the annual dinner at TASTE OF TEXAS that Nick is invited to through his job. It's always a fun time, and the food there is top notch. It's very expensive, but it's so worth it! If you're ever in Houston, make up something to celebrate and go there to eat. You won't regret it! We weren't able to make Nick's work Christmas party this year, but we are hoping to get to go next year.

The next weekend we had Nick's dad, step-mom Julie, and brother & step-sister in for our first Christmas celebration. Derek and Amy also came in from Dallas for the weekend. It was a great time, and we all enjoyed seeing each other again. We took family portraits on Sunday morning, and then we had Christmas dinner and did our gifts that evening. Game night was fun...as always! Monday all the guys (minus Ryker) went shooting, and the girls went out for some shopping and lunch. It was so nice to be able to spend time with them all. I hope we can keep up with each other more in the future. :)

My family came in the following weekend for our second Christmas here at our house. Val and Michael & my parents arrived on Friday, and Beth came in Saturday night after church. We had a Mexican feast and did presents with my family on Saturday. We had Italian food with Beth and did our gifts with her on Sunday. Ryker even woke up at 5:30 am on Christmas morning (He wouldn't go back to sleep after his feeding), and we did our first family Christmas early that day since we were all up. Nick and I enjoyed it so much! We even had the grandparents downstairs while we all watched Ry's first Christmas morning. He was more into it than I thought he would be. He is such a good baby!

My birthday was the following Tuesday. I also turned 32. Nick made me breakfast, and he took me to eat at Genghis Grill for lunch/dinner. I wasn't feeling well so we didn't do much. :( I also went to get a pedicure later that week so that was some nice alone time.

New Year's Eve we had plans to hang out with our neighbors. Nick and the guys did fireworks here at our house while the girls were hanging at another neighbor's house. I was in and out of the fun since Ryker wasn't feeling too good that night. Even though my parents were here, I wasn't able to hang out much outside the house. Once I finally got Ry comfortable and asleep I was able to be outside with everyone to ring in 2012. I just know this is going to be a WONDERFUL year for our family!

Hayden and Ryker. Hayden is my friend Holly's little boy. He is 6 weeks younger than Ryker. They love play dates!