Self Portrait

O: "Mom, do you like this picture I drew?"
Me: "Yes, I do! What did you draw?"
O: "It's a picture of me...POOPING!"

Happy Birthday, Miles!

Happy 6th Birthday to the world's sweetest dog!!

Nine Months

Crawling!
Pulling up!
First ride in a grocery cart
Flaps arms up and down when he wants to be picked up
5 teeth - 3 bottom, 2 top...more very soon!

Likes: to snort, PEANUT BUTTER TOAST, crawling to Miles, pulling Miles' hair, crackers,  pulling books off the bookshelf, cords, eating floor food. KICKING FEET
Dislikes: Not being able to walk


Weight: 21 lbs 10.4 oz - 81%
Length: 31 in - >99%
Head: 46.3cm - 84%

Auntie Brigid comes to visit

Auntie Brigid came to visit us for a couple of days and it was SO much fun to see her! We went to Briarhouse for a special drink and hung out around the house, but the most fun was the Beauty and the Beast movie night!  We made a special menu featuring quiche, "the grey stuff," bread, cheese, and jam, sweet tea, and chocolate covered strawberries.  It was so fun watching a childhood favorite with them!  And of course, it was amazing seeing our dear friend!

Twinning

Simon Eric, 8 months 2019
Eric Steven, 9 months 1984

New Year's Day at the cabin

For the past several years, we've been out at the cabin on New Year's Day.  This year was no exception and we headed out there to meet the family for some snowshoeing, sledding, and soup.  Simon got pulled around in his little sled and got to play in the snow for the first time ever.  He was a pretty good sport about it.  The bigger kids had a great time sledding and Miles had a blast running along with the people on snowshoes.  I love that we have a beautiful place to enjoy all the seasons and can't wait to see what 2020 has in store for us!

New Year's Eve

We celebrated a kid-free New Year's Eve out at Holiday Acres with Steve and Patti and Tom and Sara.  We had a delicious 5 course meal of appetizers, shrimp bisque, salad, halibut or lamb, and dessert.  It was fun to have the opportunity to get out to celebrate...we went to Holiday Acres for our first NYE as a married couple 8 years ago, but haven't been out since! This New Year's also marks the 14th anniversary of the day that Eric and I met at our friend, Brandon's party.  It is amazing how quickly time goes!

We have a few goals for ourselves as we start the new year and decade:
1. Eric and I are both trying to be more active and make healthy eating choices.
2. I'd like to go to a few more horse shows.
3. It may sound silly, but I am trying to make sure I go to bed with a clean kitchen sink.  It makes the day so much easier when the dishes are done from the night before.
4. I am trying to be more mindful and organized around our home, in an attempt to reduce clutter.
5. Eric would like to get biking again.

2019 was a challenging year for us.  Having a third child, while extremely rewarding, has brought its challenges - largely from a lack of sleep! Influenza, a kidney stone, head lice, and a cracked scalp have complicated things a bit, too.  While 2019 brought us many blessings - Simon, Everett, Tom and Sara's marriage - I can't say we'll be sorry to start fresh and see what the next year has in store for us! Happy New Year!