NYE - ringing in 2014

Girls were not cooperative for a formal New Years photo

V and her girls

V and Rodger on the town in Bonita

Well, as this is the final post for the year 2013, it's time to reflect on the wonderful year we have had.    One of my resolutions was to work on making friends and strengthening friendships.  I'm proud to say that we have done a really great job of that, especially with a group of great neighbors.  As for this year's resolutions, Rodger and I are committing to losing weight together, potty training Abby, and having more date nights.  Sophie's resolution is to "eat more doughnuts".

Best of 2013:  Loran getting married, watching Sophie and Abby become more independent, and times with friends and family.  Favorite things of 2013:  Despicable Me, fruit snacks, Sofia the First, playing with Disney clip dress dolls, ballet class, playing games on the iPad, swimming, wearing monkey bar buddies,  Sophie learning to skip,  Disney's Frozen movie, happy meals, the "blue park", walks in the stroller for ice cream, and roller coaster rides.  It was a really great year.

Busch Gardens

 The family went to Busch Gardens in Tapma for a day of fun.  Can you see the amount of excitement that these 6 kids had walking into the park?  Beau was a fan of the safari ride, whereas Abby loved her first rollercoaster.  But, the true excitement was the older cousins going on their first adult coaster... I still can't believe that they all did it!

Abby was a big fan of the roller coasters

Ava, Mae, and Sophie went on their first upside down roller coaster!

Universal Studios

We went to Orlando for a non-Disney vacation this year and had a wonderful time at Universal Studios.  Here are a few of our favorite photos from the trip.

Simpson's DOH-nuts

Sophie sailing away in Margaritavilla

It couldn't get any better than this for the girls!

Excited for vacation

Rockstars!

Abby being silly with Grandma and Papa

Florida Christmas

Night swimming on Christmas day....LOVE IT

Santa came to town

On Christmas morning, Sophie and Abby woke up very early to find a LOT of gifts under the tree.  Sophie was so excited to open them, saying things like "Oh yeah!" and "bum, bum, BUM!!" when she got something that she always wanted.  These are the things that I want to remember. 

Christmas Eve 2013

Cousins watching Christmas movies on the iPad

Matching cousins ready to open gifts

Sophie, age 4, on Christmas

The best part of Christmas Eve in our house is watching the kids open their gifts... Sophie got a Sofia the first castle and baby princesses.  Abby received a Disney klip klop castle and Snow White's cottage, among other things.  But, the hit gift of the night was Oscar and his Despicable Me Banana Fart Gun!

Happy 5th Anniversary

 For the 5th anniversary, the traditional gift is wood.  So, I decided to get Rodger this picture of some wood, or rather a family tree.  Here's to us... and our family.

A letter on behalf of Susie

Priceless... thank you Elf of the Shelf for the leverage that a little toy has on good girls and boys.

December celebrations...

Yes, Virginia, we believe in Santa Claus

Two girls in teacups at the Winter Wonderfest

This is my favorite holiday photo of the year. 

Our comedian, Abby... queen of the Christmas chair

Just hanging out in candy cane lane

Gueberts in Chicago at Christmastime

When we say we are going to celebrate a day of family holiday time in Chicago, we mean it!  Zipped downtown in our family sleigh for mass at Old St. Pat's, gave Santa a hug, saw the holiday windows on State Street, and rode every ride possible at Winter Wonderfest-- and that was all before noon!  With a quick stop at the American Girl store and a theater production of Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer, we ended the day at Greek Islands for a holiday meal.  Ho ho ho.... we are on the go go go!

First snow of the season

The girls enjoyed playing with the snow.... but the snow convinced Rodger that it was time for the Guebert family to own a snowblower. 

And, for the first time ever, Rodger took his girls sledding on Rotary Hill.  Sophie insisted on going down the hill on her own, whereas Abby enjoyed sitting on Mommy or Daddy's lap.  It was a fun snow day in Naperville.

Help... I've fallen and I can't get up!

Sophie really loves making snow angels!

More holiday fun

Sophie, Abby, and Baby Elisa enjoyed Christmas singing class.  Wearing holiday pj's and jingling holiday bells, these three girls had such fun in Miss Caryn's Holiday workshop.  Elisa particularly enjoyed dancing, while Sophie and Abby loved sitting--or running--onto their Daddy's lap.

Dear Santa...

Straight from a four year old:

Disney fun

I bet you can't guess who is behind these Minnie Mouse masks.... I'll give you a hint.  Two girls who love the Disney store....

Rodger's concert

Rodger all ready to go for his first performance in the Naperville Chorus Christmas concert. 

Countdown to Christmas

Grandma told me that I can open my Advent Calendar first thing in the morning each day.  She didn't say anything about needing to get dressed first.  Happy December everyone!

Abby's artwork

The girls both love to do art projects... Sophie will often come home with 4 or 5 pictures that she has created each day.  I'm not one to be sentimental and keep everything, so I've decided that I'm going to take photos of my favorites and keep a picture of the picture.   Here's the first of many more to come...

Yellow + Blue = Green