Twenty Thirteen in Review

I am still working on a video montage of all my videos (as opposed to just pictures) - and by "working" on it, I mean thinking about it.

I am a bit overwhelmed because I got a new computer with a new operating system (shhh- don't tell Jeff's employer that we are cheating on them with an Apple)....but in the meantime here is one I created on my phone.

I love looking back on all my pictures and realizing how fun the little things are even if we can't afford a Disney vacation or a week at the beach.

Happy New Year!

The Sweet Moments

Don't let this video fool you.

It's not all fun and games around here.

In fact if I had to title the last three weeks, the title would be "Poop."

Actually "Poop everywhere."

That would be more fitting.



A certain someone is potty training and I use the term "training"  VERY loosely.

He's making great progress actually. He's learned how to take off his diaper and go poop.

And he's also learned how to flush the potty.

It's just unfortunate that the pooping doesn't actually happen on the potty.

Making the flushing more of a formality than a necessity.



Then there is another certain someone decided it would be a good idea to change Nathan 's diaper in an effort to help me out.

Sounds like a nice enough gesture, right?

Only that particular helper is easily distracted  - so he forgot mid-diaper change what he was working on and began making a rocket out of legos.

And I probably don't have to tell you that Nathan doesn't let a lack of diaper hold him back. The result: more poop everywhere.



Then Angel pooped and someone crawled through it.



Then another boy in the family came to me distraught  because his poop had "melted." Which is now a phrase I think our family will use for all of eternity.



Anyway, all of that to say that when I caught Blake and Nathan playing in the crib the other day on video I decided to relish the sweetness of it all (not to mention the fact that it didn't involve poop). Then as  I texted the video to Jeff, I realized just how many sweet little videos I had like it so I decided to create a video montage of the  little things that happen on a daily basis.

But I hope you trust me when I say there's a lot of poop in  between these captured moments - so don't go having four boys and say I didn't warn you.

***

And because I created that whole video montage and forgot about this gold mine that I had on my phone from the SuperBowl - here is one last 12 second video. It's of Jeff and his mini-me (Hayden) fine-tuning what will be Hayden's touchdown celebration dance when he becomes an NFL "QB".

Now that he's crossed that off the list, all he has left to work on is his play calling and spiral throws.

Happy New Year!

So it’s two thousand thirteen now. It’s day two and I haven’t even made any resolutions. I might just resolve to not resolve. We went around the table the other day and asked everyone what their resolution was. Blake and Nathan were a little less vocal about their resolutions, but I think I knew what they were getting at with their lack of response.

Hayden “vows to play Aggie football one day.”

Davis “vows to make more chocolate pies.” Which should be relatively easy to achieve, since he has never actually made a chocolate pie.

Blake is finally going to figure out how to poop on the potty and his stretch goal is how to manage his temper.

And Nathan is going to quit the pacifier cold turkey in starting in February.

***

As I compiled the pictures for my second year-in-review video, I realized just how pitiful of a job I did blogging this year.

From the New Years Eve talent show – to the most dramatic birth story to date (that sounded like a Bachelor Spoiler) - to my potty training woes – to my domestic goals update – to all my pinteresting projects - I really need to catch up.

All in all, Twenty Twelve was good to us.

We watched our second son, Davis, accept Jesus into his heart and get baptized.

We completed our family on February 18^th when Baby Nathan arrived a month early and then made it official a month later when my tubes were “obliterated”.

Blake and I began the arduous task of potty training….after tackling the transition to his new BIG BOY BED.

Hayden completed the karate elite team, tested for his advanced brown belt began training to get his black belt this year.

We took an infant (and his three older brothers) on a plain, train, automobile, and to every park at Disney World and Universal Studios. (And loved it). Babies are the ticket to a free second ride without waiting in line. I thought you should know that.

We made the switch to become a single income family when I quit my job in September. And while I miss the paycheck and the me-time, I am definitely getting into the groove of things.

We cheered Davis and his little league baseball team all the way to the playoffs. And without Davis’ mad bubble blowing lessons in the dugout, his team would have been just another team in the playoffs blowing small bubbles.

I watched one of my best friends find true love and tie the knot. Oh Happy Day!

Jeff shot his first deer and the family spent the next two months eating deer jerky, deer chili, deer sausage, deer spaghetti, etc. etc. etc.

We sold almost all of our tables on Craigslist and began refinishing furniture projects for a more homey – home.

We survived the world NOT ending, but ate really good the week before, you know,  just in case.

Hayden caught us in the act – of playing Santa this year. Thank goodness Jeff is still able to think on his toes and we were able to keep the magic alive another year. Either that, or Hayden is one heck of an actor.

So long twenty twelve.

Hello twenty thirteen.

Be kind to us, please.

The annual year-in-review video is below. It turned out decent even though I lost about three months of pictures when a son who will go un-named dropped my computer rendering my hard drive useless. Maybe he should vow to never drop my computer again instead of becoming an Aggie quarterback.

Oops. I hope I didn't give him away.

(Thanks to Jeff for finding the song and saving me fourteen hours of listening to itunes).



2011 year in review here.