How to Save a Blog

No, this is not an instructional how-to post, and yes that was a lame reference to the song by "The Fray."

So, 2010 is 3 days away, and thus, it's resolution time. Among many other things, one resolution I have is to start blogging again. Not only to report family happenings but also as a creative, venting outlet for me. I love writing but, as with many stay at home mommies, my interests sometimes take a backseat to building block towers, Playhouse Disney, and constant cleaning.

So my last post was a year ago. Thankfully, I jumped on the FB wagon so everyone could keep up with the kiddos through pictures and my sometimes too transparent status updates. But, in the interest of keeping the blog up to date, I will quickly recap our favorite memories from the past year!

January 2009: E was walking around, D was standing and trying to follow. They were champs at eating puffs, but not too crazy about a lot of other foods. However, teething FINALLY began!

February 2009: 1st Birthday! E was digging into her birthday cake, and Drew was loving his until he picked up some ice cream and the coldness scared him! D was walking with assistance while E is all over the place!

March 2009: First "good" snow since we moved here (about 6 inches). John & I drive up the mtn. on the way home to enjoy it and take a walk at night to see the snow-covered roads. We have to drive through it the next day to get the kiddos to their 1-year checkup! 30th birthday for me! Get to see ATL friends at my parents' house, and then girls' night out with AVL ladies. D & E cheer on the Jayhawks during March Madness.

April 2009: D starts walking! Minivan purchased after selling both Pathfinder and Frontier on the same day! Godspell sells out the Orange Peel over Easter weekend. Kids' 1st baseball game to watch the AVL Tourists.

May 2009: Hiking to the waterfalls in Dupont State Forest. My 2nd Mother's Day! D & E discover their love for Mexican food. E discovers she knows how to take off her pants & diaper. John & I start getting kisses from our kiddos!

June 2009: Godspell returns! We take our first vacation with the kiddos to the beach. D surprises us by charging the water and waves, while E prefers a Daddy-dug sand pool. John & I celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary while at the beach!

July 2009: D & E enjoy pool parties in the backyard, while John builds a hammock & swing stand. John & I enjoy our first Grove Park Inn Sunday Brunch (a.maz.ing!). Took the kiddos to the pediatric dentist for first teeth cleanings. D & E love "Ring Around the Rosy" and even hold hands to go in a circle!

August 2009: I take the twins to ATL on my own for a visit. Said goodbye to dear friend who is moving to Bosnia while all our kiddos play at Chick-fil-a. John leaves his job to begin a new company. Country line dancing at HCC's Peeler awards! D & E are 18 months old! We take them up to Mt. Mitchell, where it's much cooler than expected!

September 2009: Spend Labor Day week in Charleston with my family, and then head to ATL for NASCAR race. D & E love the beach again, especially when Daddy digs a sand pool. Enjoyed my 1st Pumpkin Spice latte of the season. John goes to Chicago to buy printing equipment for Printville. Lots of rainy days... take D & E to the Mountain State Fair where they ride lots of kiddie rides, although they were not too fond of the carousel!

October 2009: Take the kids to the pumpkin patch for pictures. They loved the hay everywhere! Then went back to Skytop Orchards to take pics of D, E, A & M. E is less than thrilled, but loves eating the apples. D goes pickin' with John and loves riding on shoulders. The leaves change and we take pictures on the Blue Ridge Parkway. We enjoy our church retreat at Camp Cedar Cliff and the girls and I take a ride on the zipline! D is Superman for Halloween, while E is a pink "love bug". We take them trick-or treating, although D & E would rather hold their candy than put it in their bags.

November 2009: D discovers his love for chips (inherited from his father), and E starts tossing her used diapers into D's crib. Spend Thanksgiving in ATL with both families. D & E start talking up a storm with catch phrases like "No, mine" and "Get it". (They do say please and thank you too!) :-)

December 2009: It's Christmas time! Taking Christmas pics is not as easy this year, since they know how to squirm and move around! A couple visits to Grove Park Inn. REALLY big snow... Almost 10 inches at our house! D & E are very interested but don't like walking in the snow (I mean, it's not like it's a third of their height or anything!). We go sledding in the backyard. D & E love all their Christmas presents. D is starting a band and learning guitar, and E is into her high heels and shopping cart. John is working VERY hard, and is very close to opening the shop!

And that brings us to now... and now is nap time!