Riot and Frolic

a mostly ballroom dance, but also a bunch of other stuff, blog

Let's pretend 2012 is over, which let's face it, since we're all on senior slide this time of the year, it effectively is.  There's too many goodies at the office/home, 12 more parties to attend, shopping to finish, and a general giddiness that make doing anything productive rather unappealing right now.

Tomorrow I'll bore you with my goals for next year, so today I'll entertain you with [insert moviefone voice] "A Year in Pictures" !

February 12 – Dressing up on a Saturday night in Wausau, WI will get you labeled.

red eye brewing

that's right

March 17 – We found the best coffee in the ENTIRE world when we walked 3 miles in 80 degree weather.  In March.  In Minnesota.

claddagh

that's right

March 31 – Damn you, charming baby!

baby

that's right

April 4 – Damn you, non-charming babies!

non-cute children

daydreamer, crabber, dinosaur

April – The garden begins!  Look at how innocent it looks.  Not at all like something that will try to cannilbalize itself, get me sunburned, leave me with a sea of tomatoes, or turn me into a hippie.

garden bed

innocent like dirt-eating toddlers

April 11 – We make our children walk off their Easter feast in the cold.   [Note the crystal clear photo.  *sob* I miss you, camera!]

stone arch bridge

it was windy and cold AND too far

April 18 – I took pictures of these fools, who just released their album.  Do you like drinking or Irish music?  Then you'll like their music.  

broken spoke

broken spoke

April 17 – The best cake ever was decorated.

cake

that's right

All year – Surrounded by rhinestones, The G and I hit up the East Coast, West Coast, and No Coast for a year-long ballroom dance blitz.  Sometimes we sucked and sometimes we didn't, but we were always enveloped in shiny things, self-tanner, and fabulous people.

rhinestone jewelry

farkles

May 6 – I proved running long-distance is just as ugly as it sounds.

running

that's right

May 16 – The G and I had Epic Date, which included this place.  

ideal diner

it was ideal

End of May – We saw a big boat.  And then we made it a boatload of Bratts.  Family reunion accomplished.

tall ship

U.S.S. something or other

 

Still May – The ladies continued their stellar record of taking beautiful portraits together.  

 

portrait

so precious

 

June 30 – V debuted her dancing skills.  Watching the audience was almost better than watching her.

 

baby dancing

crossover break, done well

 

June 1 – If you're going to run a 5k on the hottest day of the year, obviously it should be 90% uphill and involve obstacles.

 

warrior dash

or not

 

July 6 – The drive-in is where birthday magic happens. 

 

drive-in

that's right

 

August 5 – Zoo proves that you can't be cute all the time.  Especially while eating.

 

baby

especially while eating a lemon

 

August 30 – I learn how to make big hair look good.

 

big hair

before

 

September 1 – I recovered from forgetting my dresses and geeked out at The Bean.  

 

the bean

after

 

September 22 – We didn't die in this slightly-creepy corn maze.  

 

corn maze

snow white, of course

 

September 25 – Pittsburgh's Monongehela Incline was DA BOMB.

 

monongehela

vintage cable car view

 

October 11 – I set a personal low bar for running.  I think I rigged it so my next marathon time makes me look like a BEAST.  Way to go, pink pants.

 

tc marathon

i didn't fall down

 

October 13 – The G and I continue OUR stellar record of taking awkward photos together.  Ah, I see, a family trait!

 

chicago

that's right

 

October 31 – I complete a sewing project on time AND bribe my children with candy.  

 

the fairies

flora, tinkerbell, and merryweather

 

November 15 – They prove me wrong!  Secret trick: put them up on something 5 feet up in the air, then they can't stop giggling.  

 

cheese

spotter?

 December 8 – Zoo and I have the same reaction to the awesome registration area at the Bellagio.

bellagio

geeking out is a family trait, too


 December 11 – We return from the 70 degree desert to a foot of snow.  Someone couldn't be happier.  

snow

that's right
What did you do this year?  Any fun trips?  Awkward family photos?  Do tell.
jerry seinfeld

festivus
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2 responses to “Year in Pictures”

  1. kara keeps Avatar
    kara keeps

    I’m DYING…..the picture of the girls on the cheese (that sounds awkward…) is the CUTEST picture EVER. Seriously!

    Like

  2. Kate Bratt Avatar

    It makes me laugh every time I see it, especially Zoo’s face. smirk

    Like

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