December Daily #31

Here we are, the very last day of 2013.

My.

This year will go down as one of the greatest for me.

The year we became a family of 5.  

Here are my Instagram photos from the year.

It makes my heart burst with happiness, {and a little sadness too}, watching this year flash by.

Mostly happiness of course, but it is a little heartbreaking as a mama to watch how quickly the days go by.

And here are the pics from Brian's phone.

I'm looking forward to 2014 and all of the surprises it has in store for us.

We brought in the new year in our pajamas.  

We made chocolate chip cookies and homemade noisemakers.  

And then we had a dance party.  

Our family danced + danced until we were sweaty, thirsty and ready for bed.

Then we shook our shakers and banged on our pots + pans.

We smooched + snuggled and headed to bed.

I love our little family.

December Daily #30

Lila played 'Mary' today.

This girl is funny!

She dug out a long dress and flip flops to compliment the baby and head wrap.

I love her.

And just because, here's the Colt-man.

Weekly Colt

I'm interrupting the never-ending December Daily posts to update my Weekly Colt pics.

This guy is growing and changing each day.

He is using his hands to touch things, sucking on his fingers, babbling and laughing, wanting to stand or press his legs up all the time, and getting  thisclose to rolling over.

He sleeps amazing at night but fights naps during the day.  Turd!  He prefers 30-40 minute power naps when he does rest.  You know, just enough time for me to get nothing done!

A lot has changed for us in the past 16 weeks.  Our days look verrrrry different!  But as I sit here with a sweet-smelling babe on my shoulder breathing ever-so-softly on my neck, I can't help but smile at just how blessed I feel.  

December Daily #29

Today we celebrated Christmas with the Swishers.

It is LOUD when this motley crew gets together!

Linc + Lila + Colt were spoiled with lots of thoughtful presents.

B + I too.

Happy to celebrate Christmas with these folks!

Also happy to be done with Christmas.

Bring on Valentines Day!!!

December Daily #28

Back to life, back to reality.

Today was a day of unpacking, laundry, organizing and adjusting back to our normal.  

We all have a vacation hangover. 

 And we are dealing with leftover head colds. 

A riot I tell ya.

December Daily #27

Happy 38th to my folks!

They are doing it right.

My guy being entertained this AM by my niece.

Goodbye Cali cousins.

Perhaps one day we won't have to refer to them as the Cali cousins, they will just be our neighbors!!!  ;)

Lunch for the anniversary at a beautiful winery.

  Babies invited.

The picnic lunch spread.

Not pictured...the wine. [which is strange, no?!]

  A fine day.

December Daily #26

December Daily #25

December Daily #24

My most favorite day of the year.

Christmas service at mom + dad's rock-n-roll church.

A most adorable Christmas letter.

Uncle Rus reading 'Night before Christmas'.

An experience!

Sierra beautifully reading the Christmas story.

Writing the letter.

A delicious meal in matching jammies.

Colt found his Santa feet.

Cousins

A NW boy in a California winter.

The twins love this sunshine!!!

December Daily #23

My Colt.

  I love to love him.

Sunny California.  

Dreamy.

Colt stared at the top of this tree for a long time today.

So funny.

Ice skating.

Sunshine.

Perfection.

The twins loved it!

Of course I almost broken kneecaps when I fell though.

Ice is very hard friends.  

Very hard!

Santa Swish

December Daily #21

Some very sleepy kiddos...

...And a very happy Grammie with a sick, sweet Colt.

December Daily #21

Today my girl woke up sicker than a dog.

And cranky.

Because she felt so dang miserable.  

And Mr Wonderful has his first cold too which is heartbreaking.  

But he still is all kinds of adorable even with a runny nose and cough.

Also we went roller skating today.

If you are like me, and haven't done that since 1988, I suggest you give it a try.

So funny!

Not a vacation unless the Swishers visit Urgent Care.

All dressed up with some place to go...

THE BALLET!

2 of the 4 founders of the Lipstck Ladies Club.  

These two.

 #SistersFromSisters

December Daily #20

Falling in love with Tia.

Dinner prayers.

December Daily #19

A gorgeous sunrise.

A random visit with Rudolph.

A first plane ride.

A beautiful day, a beautiful bridge.

Loving his Tia.

The triplets reunited.

And it feels so right.