Last day in the city!  What to do, what to do?  How about the Science Museum of MN, STARWARS, and table side guacamole?

 (and no nap, why break the cycle, now?  NO NAPS.)

One year ago today, I sat enjoying the best New Year's Day brunch ever at the Blackbird Cafe, with my favorite.  On this day, I decided that my resolution would be to blog every single day during the year 2015.

While this definitely seemed like a lofty goal, I was pretty certain it was attainable.  So, I was not surprised when it just became habit, and those living at the 1407 adjusted to my shouts of "Oh wait!  Let me get a pic!  This will be a great blog post!"  In fact, after time, they would say, "Hey!  Blog post??"  

It only seemed fitting that we would end where we began, enjoying brunch, at the Blackbird Cafe, with my favorites.

Not to be cliche, but 2015 was a total year of love and loss.  A year of laughter and tears.  A year of new friends and leaving some of the old.  A year of new employment opportunities, community involvement and house projects.  Looking back through the posts, I found myself laughing a crying and being filled with incredible gratitude.  There are no other words to describe it.  

I've been asked (by my most faithful followers), "So, will you continue to blog every day?"  I can tell you this - it is not my resolution this year, but old habits are hard to break. 

xoxo

The party people started arriving at 3pm,

and the rest of the evening was filled with laughter and fizzy drinks and delicious food and friends and sisters.  (And no naps - which meant that Harper slept through dinner, and missed the ball dropping.) This tradition has become my absolute favorite. I love that our group is getting bigger and next year we will need two rooms.  I love that my kids get to spend time with the people who they love the most and are loved right back.  I love that this year I finally got my first new year's kiss from the Mister - actually at midnight. 

So much love.  So much gratitude.  Ring a ding dong, 2016.  We are ready.

Waking up on New Year's Eve Day 2016, we knew we would need to get the kiddos out of the hotel and find some sort of activity.  There were a few options.  Matt and B wanted to hit up the roller coasters at MOA, and T and I were inclined to attend the fairy exhibit at the Swedish Institute.  Surprisingly, the boys won this one, and we packed into the truck with three kids, three adults, one dog and a Nut, and headed for the biggest mall in America.

I know what you are thinking...  It sounds like a terrible idea to send the kids to a giant, indoor, over stimulating theme park on the day of the eve that they intend to stay up until midnight, eating chocolate and drinking sparkling cider.  A terribly good idea.

The Grand new year tradition continues, and was extended as the kiddos and I hit up the city a day early. Matt and T got Bennett a day on the slopes - which might just be the best present ever - and this gift also got me a day with my bestie - totally the best present ever.

We arrived at 10am, and the boys were off within minutes; both sporting silly grins. T, Lo, H and I took the scenic route so we could be the first through the Surly doors.

After a quick check on the sweet little Nut, we went to our grand hotel home for presents, and crafts and chocolates - and no word from the mighty snowboarders... They arrived a few hours later, with rosy cheeks, tired eyes and still those silly grins.

When Lola saw B, all was right in the world.

But, I could have told her that hours ago.

So, the Littlest Nut is arriving next week.  We can't even believe it, and are so excited for our newest member.  Harper asked me every single day, "Is it Lola's sister's birthday today??"  I keep telling her "maybe...", but I should probably just say her birthday is January 6th (as scheduled, because we know, all births go exactly as scheduled...)

I have been working on a  lovely blanket for the Nut for weeks - I actually started in in November thinking I would have it ready just in case - and while I noticed a stitch dropped here and there, I though it was not a big deal...  Ummmm... yeah, it actually ended up being a problem, and while I'm sure T's sweet sweet babe will really have no issues with a blanket that is a bit - dare I say "wavy"? It was  driving me Nuts.  (pun intended) Unless, January 6th ends up being a birthday celebration, your first gift may just been a little late... 

So, take your time, baby.  GG's got some work to do.

It took all of my strength and will power to not disassemble Christmas from the 1407 yesterday.  I really wanted those trees down, gifts put away, and our house back to normal.  However, the Mister had other plans that included movies, football and a nap...  We compromised, and I crocheted.  But, as soon as he left for work the following morning, I enlisted the help of my peeps - and down came the trees, and away went the gifts, and we slowly slowly regained our sanity.