Good Riddance 2011

How is this year not over yet?!?!?! 2011 was the most terrible year. Of. My. Life. I know I only have 30 others to compare it to, but I feel like 30 years is decent perspective. I can't imagine a year of my future rivaling 2011's absolute awfulness.

According to Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." I had my breath taken a couple of times last year. Just when I thought I had gained my composure, I had that breath knocked out again. I believe this quote is meant to be inspirational, but the more I read it, the more convinced I am that sometimes having that breath taken, can make you feel like you may not ever really get the ability to breathe again. Yet, somehow, I have. I don't really care for resolutions. I keep them as well as I keep my promise to give up potatoes every Lent. So for 2012, I'm going to try to keep this in mind:

“Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.”

― Ralph Waldo Emerson

As sad as I am as I look back at this past year, the lives lost, the sadness that ensued, and the presences missed, I know things will be better for one reason...they can't possibly be worse.

So, 2012, I look to you with opportunity, confidence, and positivity. Don't f#%* it up, Mayans.

Zielinski Family Christmas Card - 2011

Truth #1: I mailed these a couple days before Christmas.
Truth #2: I still have a dozen to address and mail.
Truth #3: It may not happen.

Santa Claus came to town!

A whole lot of Christmas activity, jammed into one post! The last couple weeks have been filled with shopping, wrapping, cooking, baking, hosting, cleaning, hosting, cooking and hosting.

The weekend before Christmas, we celebrated with the Toledo contingent. We feel very fortunate that we don't have to travel far to see our family. And following that trip, we hunkered down at home, and everyone came to us...a very good thing!

What a busy couple of weeks we've had. Lots of family time (just enough), lots of yummy food, lots of memories of Christmases past, and lots of memories to take forward. We got to celebrate with old friends, and new. Our dearest family. And of course, our dear Emerson. But good gravy, I think we went overboard. Christmas morning was made for three year olds, right?

It didn't take long for the tree and all the decorations to come down, toys to be put away, and cookies to be taken care of (read: eaten). After all the mayhem, we're oh-so-ready for some normal bedtimes, a quiet house, and our routines.

Bashful and Santa at the Markwoods Santa Party.

Down time with Warren while others took their turn with Santa.

Me and my boy.

All he needs is a good "whistle" for the girls!

Showing off his goods!

Snowpants, check. Sled, check. Snow????

Cousins

This is right around where Em had maxed out on Toledo Christmas.

The stockings were hung...Christmas Eve.

Christmas morning...despite Emerson's best efforts to deter Santa on Christmas Eve with a late bedtime, he came anyway!

Using his new camera, angle provided by Uncle Jayed.

After the sword was opened, the sword was used to open every present.

"Happy birthday, baby Jesus...happy birthday to you..."

All the Linebergers on the 26th! Good times!

Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel

This is my first December post! In addition to being the most wonderful time of theyear...it's also the busiest time of the year!

We have our normal activity leading up to the holidays. Soccer every Saturday morning, evening errands, full weeks with school and work, work/neighborhood/friend holiday parties, etc. In addition, Emerson had strep last weekend, but is finishing up antibiotics and on the mend. We've also been doing lots of shopping, baking, cooking, watching Christmas movies and just enjoying a warm house!

Last night, Emerson's school had their holiday concert. His class sang "Dreidel" and did a great job! Video below...enjoy!

Turkey for you...turkey for me...

We had a great Thanksgiving in Toledo with Jason's parents, friends, neighbors, and the great grandparents! Lots of food, eaten. Lots of drinks, drank. Lots of fun, had.

One little, two little, three little Indians...

Hanging with Lydia in Bruce and Lynn's backyard...

Turkey bowl! Toddler style.

Love this action shot!

And what's a trip to Toledo without stopping for cookies at Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Z's!?!?

   

Emerson became well acquainted with Angry Birds! Courtesy of Mimmy and her new tablet.

And the rest of the weekend was spent decorating!
Is there some way we can incorporate 4-day weekends once a month?

The Linebergers take Naples

Naples is one of our favorite places in the world. My parents bought their condo there 10 years ago. Lots of trips down there in those 10 years, and lots of memories from each trip. Most of us have been there a couple times each year. Emerson has been to Naples three times in as many years. And Dad is spending a few weeks most months there. Of course, this was our first trip without Mia.


We planned this trip shortly after Mom's death, and made sure everyone could go. We left the day after Jessica's 33rd birthday, and were there for my 31st birthday. A wonderful trip, all around. Great weather. Good food. Lots of fun, including ocean kayaking! If Emerson was awake, Emerson was swimming. Pool. Ocean. Then pool again.
 
Another Naples trip, for the memory books. Although we were short one Lineberger.

The morning we arrived, I think we spent 5 minutes at the house before heading to the beach.

Everyone.

  

Doesn't everyone with they could be this cool?

"I love you, sand."

This is where I'd like to be.

Girls' brunch at the Ritz. Something we talked about, but never had the chance to do with Mia.

One side of the table at Randy's, one of our favorite Naples eateries.

A little quality time with the Auntie.

Jared trying to sleep, Emerson enjoying cartoons, and pestering Uncle Jayed!

One of many!

A beautiful sunset on our last night...



Unexpected Springtime in November

When there's a Sunday in November where the temperature is close to 70 degrees and the sun is shining, we take full advantage! We loaded up the bikes and headed to Hoover Reservoir for a long ride. And then spent some time at one of our neighborhood parks. It was one of those days, where you can just lay back in the grass, close your eyes, and nearly fall asleep. Since then, Ohio has turned cold, cloudy, and gray. With some travels coming up, we'll be stockpiling Vitamin D before the holidays...and I plan to hold onto every tiny bit of that tan as long as I can!

Call me Ishmael. No, call me Beckham!

Emerson went bowling for the first time this past summer while we were in Hilton Head. He loved it, so we knew we had to go when our friends and neighbors asked us to join them last weekend! They have three kids, including two boys that are older than Emerson, but they all play together well!

When it wasn't his turn, he would stand down by the ball return and wait patiently.

Luke, Noah and Emerson --- what a great picture!

Our Saturday mornings have been filled with a new activity...Locker Soccer! Indoor soccer, designed to teach kids the fundamentals, is perfect for Emerson's age. We have lots of time ahead for outdoor team soccer. This is a great introduction, without the rain and cold, and a fun way to spend our Saturdays, with Dunkin' Donuts coffee and munchkins of course.

Taking attendance...(That's Will from school on Emerson's left. They were so happy to see each other!)

Stretching with Coach Amanda

  

Having a ball!



Wrapping up "PumpkinTime" (aka Halloween)

I figured I needed to wrap up one holiday on the blog before we moved on to the next! Emerson continued his love for all things Spiderman through Halloween. He loves his costume, and although wearing it since August, he never tired of it. I picked it up after Halloween last year, thinking he may or may not like it, and just wear it for dress-up once it fit. Well, he loved it, obviously, and it became one of his normal outfits at home.

I'm not the biggest fan of Halloween. I don't really get into scary stuff, and I don't really like candy all that much. I love all things pumpkin --- patch, picking, carving, roasting seeds, etc. I prefer the fall season by far over Halloween. But I love how much the kids love Halloween. And it turns out, Emerson loves the roasted seeds of the pumpkin. I make them two ways...salty, and sweet. Both turned out great this year!

Face painting at school...his choice is obvious.

Emerson and his adorable, and amazing, teacher, Emily.

Spiderman and two of his best buddies, Will the Fireman, and Colonel Beckett Sander. It doesn't get much better than that! The kids didn't really get it, but the adults loved it!

Beggars' Night Eve...time to carve! Auntie Jessi joined us!

Displaying our artistic talents...

The next night...before treating...

Poppy joined us for Trick-or-Treat!