Looking Back: Our 2013

 

While My Organized Chaos is many things at different times, my main focus is always ‘for my girls‘. I’m pleased that one day they will look back and read about our life as it happened and our many travels and experiences. Even my product review posts tell a story, share their interests at the moment – and as always, feature many personal photos along the way.

Last year I posted our 2012 in Review, a post I myself look back on often. An all-in-one place to chronicle the year, with links to the highlighted posts like the contents page listing chapters in a book. Yes, this is the perfect example of organizing that chaos, heh.

Most importantly, life happens amidst all the chaos. This is my way of slowing it all down, appreciating every moment and taking in what really made the year, one to remember.

 

 Looking Back: Our 2013

 

JANUARY is when the twins started their first day of Pre-K. I wrote a post on Milestones in Speech and Language, as that is the main reason why they went into Pre-K. They only took 6 months of Pre-K, yet made leaps and bounds in both departments, plus got comfy with the school environment and made great friends. It was a wonderful experience for them both.

A little girl posing for a picture

 

 

FEBRUARY was spent just getting through this cold month. I shared the twins at their ballet class which they really enjoyed. They only took the Winter/Spring class in 2013 and have been asking to go back into dance, so I’m sure 2014 will see more Twin dancers.

dance class

 

 

MARCH was when my Daughter sent us a letter {warm my heart!!} and the twins tried to leave. I don’t blame them, March was still bitterly cold and bleak. I spent a good portion of this month planning our travel for the year.

 

APRIL My vacation planning inspired me to post All Inclusive Vacation Resorts For a Family of Five, stemming from my own research and what was an obvious online need, due to it’s popularity this year. Plus, I get to add to the post with our travels, so it’s only going to grow!

We went for a weekend trip to West Edmonton Mall this month, which is always a nice shopping getawat. Then, hubby and I took a trip to Las Vegas in April 2013, our first time to the city and I’m sure it won’t be our last!

Vegas by night travel

We stayed at the Cosmopolitan Las Vegas and I also featured the Hoover Dam as a great trip to take while in the area, my post is appropriately called The Whole Dam Tour.

With her Girl Guides troop, my daughter went to the Royal Tyrrell Museum as well. She shared her experience with me for this post, the first one that she ‘directed’ you could say. She’s the next generation travel blogger, people!

 

MAY brought us to Mexico where we had the worst All-Inclusive experience ever, and a fabulous one at Azul Sensatori. Our 2-week family vacation was an incredible time spent away, even despite the hiccup in our plans. Hey, you can’t write about how good travel can be, unless you experience it all, right?!

azul sensatori resort mexico

 

 

JUNE is when my office makeover happened, a small reno which I still love to this day. Near the end of the month, we started our Backyard Renovation, and tore down our old and unsightly deck. This month was all about prepping for Summer! We basked in the new-found sun after a long Winter with much on the schedule for schools-end. 

 

JULY is when we revealed our new deck {LOVE!}, after weeks of renovation. It took so much longer than I had hoped for, again learning a ton, this time about contractors {grrr}.

July is also when my twin girls turned the big 5! They had a wonderful backyard party, with the theme of Minnie Mouse. We also spent some time at the lake, taking in the heat of Summer. I can’t exclude that time we met Fred Penner, my inner child did leaps of joy over that one!

lake beach

 

 

AUGUST brought a family weekend trip to Banff National park, as we seized the Summer! We took in some attractions such as the Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain, the Columbia Icefield Adventure tour, and a Boat Cruise on Lake Minnewanka – yet it was the town of Banff that we called ‘home’ for our stay. Love my Banff!

goandseizethesummer travelocity travel banff

Oh, and I also had a run-in with a bowl of Chili, which I’m certain that I’m still cleaning up to this day! Again proving that parenting is all about the unexpected {and very ugly at times}.

 

SEPTEMBER is when I did more renos, this time some closet makeovers and Isabelle started her year of competitive cheerleading with the twins in pre-comp cheerleading.

Screen shot 2014-01-03 at 10.01.10 AM

A friend and I also took our kids on a weekend trip to Calgary! Yet the highlight this month in 2013 also marks when my oldest daughter, Isabelle, turned 9!

monster high party ideas myorganizedchaos

In this month, Isabelle started Grade 4 and the twins started Kindergarten! Big milestones!

backpacks

 

 

OCTOBER is when we did more family travel, this time with Gramma in tow! We headed to Walt Disney World in Florida for #Disneyhaunt.

disney world halloween family travel myorganizedchaos

We took in Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and the International Food and Wine Festival.

magic kingdom halloween party disneyhaunt myorganizedchaos

We stayed at Disney’s Wilderness Cabins on this trip to WDW, which is a great choice for larger families and getting that peace and serenity while still at Disney Parks!

disneys wilderness cabins review disneyhaunt

In October 2013 we also had a fantastic Halloween Party with friends, and of course you can’t leave out Trick or Treating {I do believe there is still a bag of candy in the pantry somewhere…}. This was actually an entire month full of costumes, celebration and fun – the best!

Screen shot 2014-01-03 at 10.01.01 AM

 

NOVEMBER brought freezing temps once again, so it was due time to escape {obviously}. My husband and I went to Sandals Negril in Jamaica for a couples retreat and it was perfect! I fell in love with the country of Jamaica and with Sandals Resorts – so impressed with the quality of service offered. The entire trip was divine!

negril jamaica sunset

 

 

DECEMBER found us back in Jamaica again! This time I went with just Isabelle, for a Mother/Daughter trip to Beaches Resorts in Negril for #BeachesMoms.

beach, at beaches negril jamaica

It was the most amazing trip, to connect with just my oldest while in paradise. While Sandals Resorts is adults only and offers so much in couples travel, Beaches Resorts indeed proved to be a kids-paradise and tops when it comes to family travel.

beaches negril pool

December 2013 of course also brought family, food and festivities during the holidays. Christmas 2013 was splendid as was taking in all the related seasonal activities with the family. Baking, sledding, movie nights and teaching the twins how to skate are the highlights of these last couple of weeks.

christmas tree

….

 

Here’s to 2013 and the amazing opportunities, life experiences, enlightenment and blessings our family shared here on My Organized Chaos. I love that this space is not only my ‘journal’ yet a place where many come to visit and chat – and take this chaotic ride with me.

Whether watching a movie at home to exploring this world, it’s been an amazing year to learn, grow, experience and cherish. 2013 is over, but with it brings more adventures, possibilities and good times in 2014.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!!
xoxo

 

 

 

36 Comments

  1. Wow, you guys had a busy year! I used to teach prek and honestly I recommend it to everyone! It is amazing how quickly kids can learn in a fun environment.

    1. They did wonderfully in that class, wish we had them in for a full year but … red tape. Always red tape.

    1. Thanks Amber, yet packing for 5 is a tight sqeeze sometimes – byos? {bring your own suitcase} ???
      ;P

  2. wow! your year was incredible! I’ve been a reader for 5 years now, and love your blog and all your posts especially all your travel ones. I remember when your twins were babies and the stories you shared. they will love to read everyone one day.

    1. Thanks Christine!! 😉
      For reading for so long and for the continued support – I appreciate it!!
      🙂

  3. What an amazing year! I didn’t realize how much Isabelle looks like you! She’s a little mini-me.

  4. It’s amazing how much your twins have grown up since the beginning of the year! Happy New Year, and here’s to hopefully all positive and all inclusive vacations in your future!

    1. I see it too – I really need to go through some old posts, the change is remarkable!! lol

  5. I really enjoyed reading this recap of 2013! Sounds like it was a great year. i hope that 2014 is even better! 🙂

  6. You and your fam have had a pretty amazing year 🙂 Sending best wishes for 2014 to be just as wonderful!

    1. Same to you as well – best wishes!! Thanks as well for reading my blog, happy to see ‘Soozie’ in my posts all the time!
      😉

  7. Wonderful pictures! Your girls are so sweet! I really enjoy reading about the travel experiences since I don’t get to do a lot of it myself.

  8. WOW, sounds like an amazing year! 🙂 So many adventures, what an amazing experience for you and your kids! I hope you have a wonderful 2014!

  9. I loved this post…Isabelle is your mini-me!! All of the girls have grown so much since I first found your blog!!

    1. Thanks Teresa, I want to do a comparison post again, I think the last time i did something comparing my kids and what they did for the past year was in 2011! Overdue! Sometimes I look back in the archived posts, so many photos I forgot I shared!

  10. that picture with the girls in front of the tree is one of my favs you have posted. what a great year you had.

    1. Thank you! It was a moment that really could have been missed, just an everyday simple evening … glad I snapped the photo too! Need to do that more often! Happy 2014!
      🙂

  11. What an awesome, eventful year you had! Here’s wishing you and your family the absolute best in 2014!

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