New Years Eve!!

We decided to celebrate New Years Eve in our home this year.

2012 has brought us so many great things and so as we look ahead to 2013 we are first thankful for all that God has already blessed us with and also excited for what the future holds.  2013 will mark the 10 year anniversary of when Jon and I said "I do."  I will be the first to admit that this 10 year journey hasn't always been smooth, but it's a long trip and we're on this journey together.  We have three beautiful little blessings to celebrate this milestone year....so bring on 2013!!!

Grant's 1st "Happy New Year!"

Thanks for joining us tonight Granny Annie!!

While waiting for midnight we ate yummy foods, played a hilarious game Quelf Jr.,

then got ready to set off some (Georgia legal :/ ) fireworks.

Grant stayed semi warm and watched from a distance with Grandma & Granny Annie

while the rest of us took turns lighting up the sky!

It's almost midnight.........

Kate got all her girls lined up and ready to ring in the New Year!

The boys were pretty excited too.  Well, one boy was anyway.  :)

Gabe was ready to party but Grant didn't quite make it to midnight.

It's not a party without PawPaw and Grandma!!

I saw these giant confetti shooters at Wal-Mart and thought, "What Fun!"

What I should have thought when I saw them though was, "What a Mess!!"

The kids did have a blast, but wow, the entire living room was COVERED in confetti!!!

Little brother Grant even had to wake up for this final fun even to ring in the New Year!!

Happy New Year!!!

From our family to yours........

The Disc Swing

Jon and I were both excited to get the kids a disc swing for Christmas this year!  We debated between this and a tire swing, but in the end I decided to go with the disc.  Now today we get to figure out how to tie it up!  Jon and the kids were outside and all of a sudden Gabe runs in the house and says, "Mommy, get your camera and come outside."  I figured Kate was swinging....ummmm, no.  Kate was 25+ feet in the air!!!  My little daredevil...  It took Gabe quite a bit longer to decide to get up the nerve to climb but in the end he too took a trip to the top of the tree.

The rope is hung, the disc tied securely, now it's time to try it out.

Daddy first to make sure it's safe.

And it's a hit!!!  Kate and Gabe LOVE this swing so much!

From their first time on it these two kids were ready to fly as high as it will go.

The day after...

I cleaned and organized everything in preparation for Christmas....then Santa came...and now the whole house is a wreck!!  :)  What am I supposed to do with all this new stuff?!?  At least I get to look at these three adorable and crazy kids while I try to make sense of everything!  The toys are taking over.....

Christmas at Grammy's

Time to gather for dinner with our family in Jacksonville...well, most of our family in Jacksonville.

One of these years maybe we'll get my Grandma's sister and her family to join us too.

Bare Family Christmas 2012

Grammy with the grandkids.

She looks a little worried in the picture...I can't say I blame her though

being surrounded by these four crazy kiddos!  Missing from the picture are Peyton and Grant.

My kids have all loved their Uncle Lane as babies.  :)

Time to open gifts again!  The kids loved everything, but their faces sure lit up when they opened their presents from cousin Hannah....REAL TURTLES!!!!  :)  I might regret allowing this in a few weeks, but they sure are cute.

Christmas Morning

Santa did not disappoint!  We woke up this morning and came out to find a room filled with gifts.

The kids were grinning from ear to ear and ready to unwrap all their surprises!!!

I loved that Kate was most excited this morning to give the gifts she bought for everyone at her school store

And of course those sweet gifts were our favorites!  :)

Kate & Gabe were so excited to open presents!!!!

And even Grant enjoyed opening a few surprises...

My sweet and happy boy!

This little guy is pretty attached to his mommy, but he sure does love his Grandma & PawPaw!!

(And Daddy, Kate, & Gabe too...)

The big gifts from Santa this year....an electric scooter for Gabe & a new bike for Kate!!

Let's ride!!!!

Now it's time to get ourselves cleaned up, relax a little,

and then go to Grammy's house for more Christmas fun!!!

Merry Christmas!

2012 has been an AMAZING year for our family!  There may have been minor bumps along the road, but overall it's been an almost perfect year!  Looking back I think the biggest lesson for me would be to trust God.  Giving birth to Grant was by far the greatest blessing this year, but buying a house has been a big lesson in learning to trust God and be patient for His timing...not something that comes easily for me!  We will walk away from 2012 with incredible memories and begin 2013 excited for what the future holds.  Our family feels complete now, we have moved into our "forever" home...our lives just feel settled for a while now.  The past 10 years have been filled with lots of transitions and so I know I surely look forward to just being able to relax and enjoy life now with my wonderful family!  Merry Christmas from our family to yours!!

Christmas Card/Letter 2012