New Years's eve was non-traditional by many standards, but perfect for us. We stayed home, played games and celebrated with cupcakes. It ended VERY different from how the year started off, namely with 4 of us, instead of 3, but in a house full of love, laughter and fun.
As I look back on the year, 2011 had its share of highlights. Of course, Cora's welcome to our family on February 17th in record time and the 3 months at home we all got to spend. Followed by the miracle of finding Ms. Sarah, and her addition to our family as well. We feel so lucky and fortunate to have found her!!
Summer was warm and brought it's share of challenges for us. Eric and I went back to work and we learned to juggle being the parents of two lovely girls, who attended both preschool and Ms. Sarah's. Amara started preschool on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Primrose school, just up the street, and we enjoyed many activities and events with her there.
We welcomed cousin Coulter Young to the family in June. We enjoyed the long summer days on the trampoline and used a lot of sunscreen!!
How could we forget too, the first and possibly only earthquake felt in Ohio. On Tuesday, August 23, a 5.9 magnitude earthquake occurred in Virginia, and I felt it...in Whitehall Ohio. I was on the 7th floor of the DFAS building and Eric didn't feel it (on the golf course) nor did anyone in Grove City that I asked--but we did at work.
The fall was a juggling act of activities both familiar and new for both girls. Soccer, music, dance, swimming, and gymnastics invaded the Young household and taught us all valuable lessons about time, natural abilities, and priorities. We also hosted our first (and hopefully) not last family bonfire with friends and enjoyed nice seasonal weather late into the fall.
The start of Winter and all the fun of watching the girls start to (gasp) ACTUALLY develop a relationship with one another is pure magic. I feel so VERY lucky to have the family, life, job, home, etc. that I/we have and can only imagine what 2012 will bring for us. We're already feverishly planning Cora's first birthday--a Winter ONE-derland, and can't believe our first baby will be 4 :(
2011 was amazing, and here's to another amazing year ahead.--love, mom
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Christmas day (2011)
What an amazing Christmas morning! Amara got up at 6:30--which she almost never does...so she was either excited, or I was banging around cooking too much, or neither/both. But she came right downstairs like nothing and started in helping me. 
An hour or so later, sis got up--she was bright eyed and ready for the day! She helped me finish up cooking too (we had told the grandparents to come at 8, but by 7:30 they were ready to go). Grandparents got there at 8 and we got started! We got Cora a wooden walker/cart--since she's so close to walking, and Amara a leap pad toy (like an iPad) which she might be too young for, or just prefers our iPhones :)
Cora enjoyed standing ON the presents or pushing them around much more than opening them--though as with most babies, enjoyed the occasional bow or paper in the mouth. She liked all her cars and blocks, and toys though--and got some special treats for sure.
Later in the morning, Aunt Kristin and Uncle Jim joined us and shortly thereafter, Uncle Matt, Aunt Stephanie and cousin Coulter too. Coulter was very into the packages--probably more than either of our girls. We all enjoyed breakfast--mom brought our breakfast casserole, Cindy brought fruit, and Eric and I made a new strata (with SPINACH!!) sausage roll, monkey bread, and pumpkin roll. Yummy!
Amara loved her blue sparkly sun glasses--and I love that little sister is sitting in the DRIVERS seat behind her--we'll see if that changes when we show them this thing has a BATTERY in it. Funny, they were perfectly content just playing the radio and pretending in it!
Alan got a family pic of us--he leaned over the railing while Cindy jumped up and down on the couch. We weren't sure what type of catastrophe would result, but it was all good.
To say this was our favorite tree ever is an understatement, what a beautiful site! Eric and I were in love with it--and I think the girls just "got used to" the towering giant of lights in the room after a bit.
Cora and her bows--and what was probably her favorite ornament to play with this year. A very special one Eric got me a few years back, actually. After just a couple hours, things were wearing out, so we all took a break and some quick naps. 
After naps it was on to the Jahn's. Amara and Grandma opened their presents vigorously!
And no surprise, Amara focussed on the makeup--do I have a budding starlet or makeup artist on my hands?
And Cora and her screwdriver. She didn't put this thing down all afternoon! I love you can see her little teeth in there. 4 of them to be specific!! (and one to bust through on the top on the 26th, to be sure) We had an amazing Christmas day both at home and with the Jahn's. I am seeing more and more now why the PARENTS need a break at home than the kids--though both of ours were pretty tired.
The girls both loved this car toy of Jungle Junction, the perfect blend of cars with wheels to bite on and a way to run cars across the tracks (and tables.) Amara asked to spend the night Christmas night, and we figured why not let her enjoy her vacation. We haven't had snow, heck it was probably 50 degrees, but the magic is still there. What an incredible day and so lucky.
Our pretty lights outside at dusk! (Great shot E :))
Words from Mrs. Sarah on 2011
I have been so blessed to be able to begin caring for Amara and Cora this year! They have quickly eased into our family dynamics. Amara is such a fun-loving child who is beautiful both inside and out. She is a very smart girl as well, not only with her colors and letters but with things like empathy and feelings. One memory that will always stick with me is when my mom came to visit. My mom told her that she needed to leave to get back to her husband so he wouldn't miss her. After much thought Amara looked at her and said, "You must really love him." That really just blew us away! Cora is a girl who loves to be snuggled and loved on. She is so cute with all of her facial expressions and the way she verbally communicates with you...it is down right precious! It has really been thrilling to watch her grow and learn new abilities almost daily. She has really kept me on my toes. It is really amazing how our two families met at just the perfect time. Timing is truly everything and God is never late! I am excited to see all that the new year brings to these two most precious girls!!
Ms. Sarah
Christmas eve candlelight service
We made it to candlelight service by the skin of our teeth this year! In fact the service had already started, so no chance for pictures before. We had a birthday party for our good friends the Smith's for Nathan's big first birthday (which was so fun) so we raced back home to get changed and off to church.
Beanie rode with Grandma to church to save seats for us and let the rest of us get ready. The service was very nice and Amara and Cora were just angels, smiling and making friends wherever they went.
Afterwards we got bundled back up and ready to head home and rest for Santa!
An "almost" perfect shot--at least we're all 4 in the frame. The girls had the cutest red, white, and black dresses and coats and red and black shoes--they are our precious little angels no doubt! Merry Christmas eve! (and STILL no snow in Ohio :((Santa's visit
Santa visited us again this year!!
This year was so much fun--very different than past years, not that they werne't fun, but just new traditions. We had Aunt Kira, Uncle Jason and Gideon to join us and is he a character!!
Santa surprised us around 5, and Gideon went right up to him--confident little guy :) Amara was "shy" and Cora went to him for about 9 seconds, but that was about it.
He read the kids a book about how to pick great elves--how mermaids made the toys soggy, and reindeer couldn't hold the toys with their hooves. We all sang Rudolph the red nosed reindeer together, and Amara shared her new seek-and-find book with Santa too.
After he left, we all had pizza and mom brought over her "homemade" dessert--which was really an Aldi pie and we all got a good laugh at that. 
Amara taught Gideon how to "shake your booty," to the Party Rock Anthem song, and Cora joined right in with the crazy kids. It was a really fun and memorable night for sure! Santa brought Amara a funny voice-changing megaphone toy, and this set of rainbow teething beads for Cora--perfect for our busy girls!
One last round of hugs and instructions on caring for the reindeer on Christmas eve before heading out the door.
And the two older ones walked Santa right out the front door--good thing it's only a few days till Christmas! OH--and Gideon does the funniest little "ho, ho, ho" that Kira said he's been doing for a while. Not sure if we caught it on video or not :)Cora at 10 months
Cora at 10 months is a ball of smiles and energy for sure. She is making the funniest "old man" faces and smiling with her 4 teeth as proud as you please.
She and her sister are starting to smile and share moments more and more--especially in the car where they are captively next to each other for a few minutes each day to and from work.
By 10 months she is cruising with ease--reaching and grabbing for anything in site, usually my pant legs :) And it won't be long before she's walking like a champ! She's saying dog and ball (sometimes) and Ily quite often. She's also signing yes and more and all-done (those food signs really help me, more than anything!)
She and Ily are buddies--Ily is SO patient with her, just like she was with Amara. They like to sit at the back door together and look at the passing cars--I wonder if anyone can see them--I'm sure they'd wreck over the cuteness if they could!
The intensity on Cora's face is so telling.
Pressing her face on the glass, blowing raspberries, and feeling the cold glass on her face :)Trimming the tree (and kitchen)
Trimming the tree was so much fun this year!! After we got the big ole girl in the house, set up and watered, it was time for decorating.
Beanie jumped right in, and started with several of the ornaments she's made for us this year.
Cora was enjoying chewing on some of the new "C" ornaments we got for her this year too.
A little teamwork really helped speed the process along! The soft needles of the tree didn't bother any of us and this step ladder made easy work for anything 4ft and under on our tree.
BOTH smiling and working together!
and i have to tell this story. While we were getting the ornaments out, Beanie went into the kitchen and single-handedly put a bell on each and every drawer and cupboard pull in the entire kitchen. Sure, they are for the tree--and we even got them 3 years ago when Amara was obsessed with bells. Neither of us had any desire to move or change them, since she was so sweet to help us--and she was so proud of herself when she was done. Even as I type this, I'm looking around the kitchen at her handiwork and it makes me smile with each bell I see.cookie day 2011
Cookie days are always a blast, but this year was fun for a lot of reasons. First cookie day in the Copper Ct. house (frankly, first year ever NOT at mom and dads) a lot of great gals came over, and Tony even played the piano for us and we all sang carols, so fun!
We got through SO many recipes this year!! We divided it up pretty well to maximize the oven and chocolate candy making, so we ended up with well over a dozen recipes--if not closer to 2.
Tony playing for us--Olivia also plays and she jumped in on a few tunes.
Casey and Olivia (and her first cookie day with us)
Crashed campers after a long cookie day. They were both REALLY asleep!
Kind of a group shot--Cora enjoying the music, everyone singing, and another dozen or so folks in the kitchen baking away. We tried to skype in Kortney, for help with the oreo balls, but the 9 hour time difference didn't let us--but always so glad to see so many friends and family around Christmas.Kalvin's 14th
Ok, wow, that makes me old. How can he be 14 if I'm only 28? Kidding.
Beanie loves her cousins SO much! She got to be there for him opening his presents and she was thrilled!
and such a sweetheart, Kalvin let her help him open some of them :)
Then she put on Grandpa's glasses and got to work--it is almost tax season for Grandpa after all!Holiday baking: homemade pretzels, gingerbread house and salt dough ornaments
One of our favorite things to do when we have time is bake--and I L O V E to try new recipes--now, with Beanie :) 
I spotted one for soft pretzels and as we all love them, decided to try it--the best was that it had many steps she could do, while being a pretty quick recipe. She got to brush the butter on,
and then sprinkle salt. We tried cheese, and cinnamon and sugar also, but salt was the hands-down favorite.
We did our favorite seasonal treat also, our gingerbread house--always a good time (for five minutes)...
and i'm not sure now whose attention span is shorter--beanie or daddy :)
But my favorite new holiday recipe had to be our salt dough ornaments! We couldn't decide on a family ornament this year, so we just made our own! It was so much fun personalizing them for our friends, using stamps we already had, and it was no cleanup, no mess at all really!
Our finished products were super cute--I hope to paint the girls handprints (sometime before we put ornaments away) and we also used glitter and mod podge for a little sparkle on some. All we did was mix 4 cups flour, 1 cup salt, and 1 1/2 cups water. The dough wasn't sticky at all and the ornaments kept their shapes. Bake 225 degrees for 3-4 hours. SO EASY!