Keepin' it Real

I bet your living room floor looks like this

at any given moment, too...right?

No?

Well, shoot.

Nine Months + Catching Up

Our cutie pie is 9 months old (plus 9 days...I am behind as usual). Luke now measures 29" (76th percentile) and weighs 20 lb., 4 oz (47th percentile), which makes him a lightweight in our household! I'm pretty sure this is due to the fact that he is in a constant state of motion. He has recently figured out how to clap his hands and has become a master of the straw cup. I am often told how similar Luke and Nathan look, but the many differences in their personalities make it hard for me to see sometimes.


Shhh...don't tell big brother that Luke is playing with his toys (why is sharing with your brother so much harder than sharing with friends?)

Luke loved meeting his Tía Carly and cousins Nico and Santi during their visit from Panama...

TaTa with all 5 of her grandsons (a baby girl will be added to the mix this summer!)

My silly almost-four-year-old

And Jason and I recently got to have a birthday date, thanks to Noni and PawPaw! It thoroughly confuses Nathan every year that Daddy and Mommy's birthdays are just 4 days apart. By the time it's all over he's usually asking if his birthday is next week — ha! This year we both turned the big 3-0. Life, though hectic, is good, and we are so grateful for each other and our family.

Fun Friday

(He was tickled because he said the word "toot"
...welcome to my world!)

Cheeks McGee showing off his teeth...

Big and Little

Sunshine

Fall may have been colder than winter this year, but you won't hear any complaints from us! We have really enjoyed the recent beautiful weather...

Thirty

...and so very loved.

A million posts in one

You're probably thinking that my New Year's resolution should have something to do with being a more timely blogger...okay, maybe I deserve that. While I can't promise any future miracles, I do hope these long overdue pictures from Advent and Christmas will be a good start!

........

Nathan's class performed a Christmas concert at school in mid-December (he is the giant child in the middle of the group). His teacher told me that they put him in the center because he projects his voice so well, something he clearly did not inherit from his once-painfully-shy mother — ha!

Jason took time away from work so he could be there too...

We also visited Main Street in Grapevine to see the Christmas decorations. We could not have asked for a more beautiful day!

(watching the blacksmith at work)

Later, Nate had a blast decorating
and devouring a gingerbread house...

Hard to imagine where he gets that from...

My cookie baking helper...

After several attempts (Luke is an early-to-bed kinda guy), we were finally able to take a family drive to look at Christmas lights. Pajama-clad and with hot chocolate in hand, Nathan was one happy kiddo. He was so giddy, in fact, that he asked to hold my hand (I then melted into a puddle of sentimental mommy mush)...

(Lights at the Texas Motor Speedway)

Sweet Luke also turned 8 months old the week of Christmas. He is growing and changing so quickly! His preferred position is standing, and he will pull up on just about anything to achieve it...

Silly brother

Jason's mom labored over the boys' special stockings. Aren't they beautiful?

We were practically vibrating with excitement as our family began to arrive for Christmas!

(that silly tongue!)

Nathan would wear his footed pajamas every night this winter if he could! I think he likes the idea that he and his brother can both wear them (thank goodness they are still available in size 5T)...

Merry, merry Christmas!

Many blessings to you in 2012!