Here's To...the New Year!

It's December 31st, 2011 and almost the new year. Hubby and I can't wait for the new year! This year has had lots of ups and downs, and we are definitely ready for a fresh start.

Before we countdown just yet, I thought I could reflect on this past year:

December: Here's to...our first Christmas together and realizing what you have!

{Alex and I at the Blackhawks game: December 28, 2011: Hawks vs. Kings}

November: Here's to...a very lowkey Thanksgiving!

{Mom, Sis, and I}

October: Here's to...reuniting with family and learning lots about family history!

{Two Aunts, One Uncle, Dad, Hubby, Sis, and I}

September: Here's to...celebrating 80 years of life!

{Grandpa}

August: Here's to...being a scrap addict!

{Sis and I at a Scrap Convention in St. Charles, IL}

July: Here's to...the best card ever!

{A card from the hubby on my birthday}

June: Here's to...having a special dance with this gorgeous man!

{At the Portillo wedding: Chicago, IL}

May: Here's to...moving in and moving on.

{Keys to our new home...and Little Bro's graduation}.

April: Here's to...the best moment of my life!

{Mr and Mrs Guzlas: Married April 1, 2011}

March: Here's to...eating lots of yummy food!

{Pork Tortas}

February: Here's to...being snowed in!

{The big snow storm in Chicago}

January: Here's to...empowerment in a new year!

{Lil Sis}

I'm very much looking forward to seeing what the new year holds. I'm not making resolutions, but lots of goals and things that I would like to achieve in 2012.

Hubby and I will be celebrating on the couch with the furries tonight. What are your plans to ring in the new year?

xoxo,

Kelster Jean

PS: See you next year!

The Magic of the Season

It's been an up-and-down holiday season, filled with lots of joy {and sorrow}. Real life definitely trumped this holiday season:

**A dear uncle has been very sick.**
**Both mothers in my life struggling in their own ways.**
**Saying goodbye to my dearest Fred the Ford Focus {my first vehicle}.**
**Saying goodbye to a work family {so dear to my heart} to start a new opportunity.**
**My dear hubbie coming down with very bad tonsillitis.**
**Trying my best to keep the holiday spirit.**

Because of this, this holiday season was more important to me this year than ever before. I needed the little moments, the family, the music, the magic. And that was the best gift to me of all.

{from left to right}:
*Saying farewell to my dear Fred Focus.*
*Playing games to clear the mind.*
*Welcoming our new Fernando the Focus.*
*Sending Holiday goodies to my Secret Santa.*
*Stopping to admire the beauty in melting snow.*
*Playing in the snow.*
*Our first Cookie Exchange! {with lots of dear friends}*
*Enjoying a work holiday gathering.*
*Appreciating El Husbando, who made me smiles lots this season.*

{from left to right}:
*A happy bunny {our furry child Murphy}.*
*Sharing bunny kisses.*
*"Do you hear what I hear?"*
*The warm glow of the Christmas tree.*
*Our one hanging ornament on the tree.*
*Loving their new tunnel {our furry child Maria}.*
*Feeling so lucky to have this little lady {happy and healthy} in our lives.*
*Mommy and Murphy {he's a Mommy's boy}.*
*Can you find the bunny under the tree?*

{from left to right}:
*Celebrating our first Christmas together as husband and wife.*
*Appreciating the furries in our life {and giving them lots of love and affection}.*
*Thankful for the wonderful family we have.*
*Still a Daddy's girl.*
*So thankful for the special bond between Grandpa and I.*
*Three generations sharing the same technology.*
*Two generations of Alex's building legos together.*

I am also truly thankful for a dear Uncle, who reminded me on Christmas Eve of the reason why we celebrate these Magical Moments and who reminded me that these little moments are the ones that truly matter.

And now, to look forward to a new year. Alex and I are looking ahead and not looking back, and are so excited to begin a fresh new year. Happy Holidays!

xoxo,
Kelster Jean