Kate and Khan: The great recap of 2012 (in half a hundred pictures).

I have this list in my planner with all the stories I want to tell on my blog. It keeps growing, time keeps passing, the blog stands still, and I feel further and further behind.

So enough with that. 2012 -- you defeated me. Instead of expanding a list of ideas that will never be posted, I will post the abridged version. So here's what we've been doing during the second half of 2012.

Let's start in Wisconsin, way back in July. We spent some time visiting with my family.

I wish I had written down what Lily was saying here, but all I remember is that it was funny.

And she finally got a toothbrush for Kiki, which was near the top of her birthday wishlist.

We also spent some time with more family in Minnesota where she demonstrated how strong she is for Jen and Ben.

Just a couple of weeks after returning to Florida, I went back to Minnesota and Wisconsin for a work trip that was extended a few days to see family. I got to particpate in my first "sister weekend," an annual event where my mom and her two sisters get together for a weekend of shopping, dining, makeup and, well, rides at the Mall of America. Lily likes to refer to this as "the time Mommy left for 6 days".

Back in Florida, we tried to make some time for the beach. I love that my prissy girly girl doesn't mind a little saltwater in her hair while collecting shells.

Lily started VPK, otherwise known as preschool, and it came with homework. She put stickers on her worksheet because that's what a 4-year-old does with homework. (Preschool homework didn't last long in our house; there will be plenty of time for that later in life.)

We made a few trips to Disney and Quinn proved that meeting princesses is just as much fun for boys as girls.

And Kim took the best picture ever. Yes, Ross and Khan apparently do coordinate their outfits so they match for Dumbo.

We saw some mountains while in Bellingham. Lily's favorite part of the whole trip was singing "we're going back to the car" while skipping in the snow with Jen. Especially when they fell down and laughed.

We had a quick stop in Seattle on the way out.

Back at home, Lia and Lily did whatever this is.

Daddy had a birthday.

Bacca came to visit and do Halloween things.

And lose at Candyland.

We voted.

And we went to Seaworld where Lily tried to feed the sting rays. It started OK, but then they started splashing.

And it ended badly.

We went to Busch Gardens and Lily rode her first official roller coaster.

Unless you count the log ride, which actually has a much bigger drop.

Lily almost fed the birds herself. Almost.

Halloween came and went. Lily was a Princess Aurora. (SHOCKER.) Cami was a Tigger the tiger because she makes the most adorable tiger growl. I wish I had known, way back when I had control over Lily's costume, that Lily would choose to be a princess or fairy every year. She would've been a puppy or kitty or something furry and sweet. But no, I wasted my one chance on a pink fairy princess. Sigh.

Lily got to go to the Magic Kingdom with her cousin, Pearl.

They talked with Rapunzel about the woes of having long hair.

We got stuck on It's a Small World. Thankfully, after they emptied the line, they turned the music off.

And we were evacuated.

On Thanksgiving, I tried to get a photo for a Christmas card. Lily was less than cooperative, and it took me about 250 shots to get one decent picture.

Oh yeah, and my belly started growing bigger. Because by the way, I'm pregnant. That fits somewhere into all of this, I'm sure.

We took an unexpected trip to Wisconsin just in time for a snowstorm.

Lily got to go sledding.

Make snow angels.

Build a tiny snowman. (This is the same coat and snowpants she wore two years ago. The coat fit, but the snow pants were more like capri pants.)

And see Santa and tell him all the things on her Christmas list.

Seven years ago, we started having a small Christmas party at our house. Back then, it started around 9 and was over whenever we were done with crappy gifts (on purpose), drinks, and conversation.

This year, it started around 4 and was over around 9 when the kids were done with their milk, stolen cookies, and whatever they gab about. The times have changed.