Thursday, December 31, 2009

2009

Each New Year's Eve, I'm always curious what will lie ahead in the year to come. I usually predict "same, boring, usual" type things and usually ... I'm VERY WRONG. On the eve of 2009, I never would have imagined the "life stuff" that would get packed into the past 365 days.
In January, our J. How turned three. Two was easy in comparison. Three was a year that took our parenting skills to a whole new level.
In February, an executive decision was made to remove the mullet from the back of Eli's head.
In March, we ventured outdoors. Tried new things like t-ball and soccer. And tried our hardest to figure out some activity that would actually EXHAUST our children ... we're still looking!
In April, we shed the long pants and welcomed the early summer. Anything relating to water was on the agenda.
Our May was a bit messy. It also included a LOT of processing as I had a second miscarriage. But it also brought me to an understanding of thankfulness unlike anything my heart has ever experienced. God remained faithful ... and drew my heart to do the same.
June was a welcomed month of CRAZINESS. We weren't on a schedule ... we had no plans ... we just let the day take shape.
In July, our children discovered SeaWorld and developed a new LOVE for underwater life. Shamu became a quick favorite and Eli became our little marine professor.
In August, we took a last minute trip to Montana and loved the slower pace of life. Fishing, boating, backyard ice cream cones ... besides our luggage getting lost and our flight getting canceled ... it was a great family memory.
In September, I regained my need for organization and took on some house projects. I became a serious fan of a good basket and label.
In October, I met my nephew for the first time. What fun to be an aunt!
In November, my parenting skills took a break and I found myself feeding the kids M and M's at 8am.
But given the news we announced in December, it all makes sense.
And in January, we'll start the year off with another birthday ... a MOVE ... and finding out whether the baby within will complete our family with "My Three Sons" or if we'll add a bit more pink to the picture.

It's been a year. One of super growth for me. And seeing as I already know a little of what 2010 will hold ... I'll stay away from predicting a boring year. I have a feeling ... things are about to get crazier by the minute!

Monday, December 28, 2009

I'd Like A Refund ...

Because my kid ...
was ENTIRELY overlooked when the "quiet gene" was being distributed!

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Merry Christmas ...

Love,
B, C, J, E and ...
If Joshua has his way ...
Santa (if it's a boy) and Kate (if it's a girl) ...

Monday, December 21, 2009

A Monday Moment.

Yesterday, it snowed in Mayberry.This desert dweller couldn't have been more thrilled!

Friday, December 18, 2009

It's Snowing.

I have a thing for pancakes. This morning, we went here and I had apple pancakes. Lots of them. It's now 6 hours later and I'm still full. My boys have a thing for chocolate chip pancakes. Perhaps it's because I was not given the option of chocolate chip pancakes when I was younger (nor did I taste Fruit Loops until I was a camp counselor at the age of 20) ... I never turn down the opportunity to add chocolate GOODNESS to our pancakes. And if we're laying it all on the table, I often suggest we eat them for dinner as well! There. My confession. Such relief.
As they say ... many hands make light work. Or are those just my hands working and J How's hands making crazy faces and Eli's hands stuffing his car under the griddle? I see how it is.
Use your imagination a bit. See the eyes and smile in the top pancake and the buttons on the second one. His eyes are a bit "off" but you saw my helpers, right?
Time for a bit of snow.
Okay. So he's missing a nose. A hat and limbs. But the main parts are there.
Delicious.
And in other editorial news, I'm pretty sure Golf Digest would like to take back this cover. Don't mind the powdered sugar on the cover ... I'm sure that came out of my mouth as it fell open.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Matching Jammies.

It's a Christmas tradition to buy the boys new jammies.
And since Ben doesn't really appreciate the fashion statement of MATCHING OUTFITS ...
I rarely buy the boys the same thing.
But this time, he made an exception.
Because ...
There won't be just one big brother in our family anymore ...
In June ... there will be TWO!

Friday, December 11, 2009

San Diego. Santa. Shamu.

Saturday was a big day ... we were done with our after-Thanksgiving napping and it was off to one of our FAVORITE places ... SeaWorld. It was a bit rainy (and a bit chilly ... that's what I get for complaining about the gorgeous sunshine) but we bundled up and headed out the door!

And when we got there ... we had the best seats in the house for BREAKFAST WITH SHAMU!
Um ... Good Morning, Shamu!
We were all so distracted by the killer whales ...
That we almost forgot to eat breakfast. Almost.
After our tummies were full, it was off to meet Santa with a serious REAL beard! Very impressive!
Joshua announced that he wanted a map for Christmas and I think that took Santa a bit off guard. "Oh, I don't think I've ever had anyone ask for that before." Um ... we hadn't heard that one either! And Eli ... he wants Mac. And for that matter, he thinks everyone wants Mac.
A family shot with the fabulous Santa ...
And another family shot with Ben's parents ... and a grand Eli meltdown.
Amidst a few sprinkles, Joshua was determined to see the splash ride. He's been talking about this since July. He is still an inch too short to ride ... but he stood here for close to a half hour ... just watching the ride! And returned later that evening to watch it again.
While "J.J" watched the splash ride, Eli went in search of the beluga whales. Wish I had video of him saying "beluga whale" ... it's fantastic. And we got there at just the right time ...
BREAKFAST!
We spent the rest of the day riding all sorts of rides ... hugging Cookie Monster ...
And Abbey ...
And climbing REALLY tall mountains ...
And some of us slept right past lunch ... and reaped SERIOUS rewards for such perfect nap timing. All that was left ... a chocolate covered Shamu cookie with a shot of milk on the side! HE ATE THE WHOLE THING!!
And since our day seemed to revolve a LOT around food ... Joshua and Cake fed the string rays. Does it appear as though How's hand is in that creatures mouth? Um ... LET GO OF THE FISH!!

We had the BEST day. Seriously ... rain and all ... THE BEST DAY! And about 30 seconds after we left the park gates ... the skies opened up and the RAIN CAME POURING DOWN! No worries for us ... we snacked on hot chocolate and funnel cake. Can you just feel the holiday pounds sticking to our thighs??!!

Thank you Cake and Pap Pap ... what a precious memory for our family!!!

Wednesday, December 9, 2009