Monday, December 25, 2017

Christmas 2017

It was pretty much as perfect as could be.

Details to come.

:D :D :D :D 8/
Back view!

Sunday, December 24, 2017

Annual Christmas Eve Journal Write 2017

You guys, I was just thinking to myself what a bummer that Christmas was going to be gray and brown and probably clear skies and not very interesting or festive, but no joke, we looked outside after the kids were in bed and it had started to snow. Of course I think it's stopped by now, but it was enough to stick for a little while and that's really enough for me.  (It was also enough to make that last-minute drive to Mom and Dad's house for that package I had shipped there and totally forgot to pick up the many times I've visited since it arrived kind of treacherous and slippery -- I hope everyone who was out drove safely).

SO it's that time of year again and things are changing around here.  Today we had church which was really nice to have on the day before Christmas, there were musical numbers aplenty and everyone was really tired and maybe a little fussy but that made for a nice early bedtime.  This year we dispensed with the whole family fondue tradition in favor of taking our many various offspring and starting our own Christmas Eve dinner traditions, which I'd been thinking for a while now would probably happen this year, and which actually turned out really nice.  We invited Mom and Dad over and had plenty of cheese and dippings and various sweet and/or creamy and/or bubbly drinks and desserts aplenty, and then we all happily jumped into our new joggers from Mom and made ready for bed.

I actually think I've heard Santa hanging around upstairs and think I even glimpsed a goodly number of cool Cars guys and sparkly Princess figurines and maybe something cozy and handmade just for a baby.  I guess we'll find out first thing in the morning!

This is from the first time we decorated it a couple weeks ago... We sort of completely redid it tonight, not unlike last year, after it's been so very... admired over the last several days.  Also we added another string of blue lights and a bunch of blue ornaments.  It just needed a little something extra.
Now goodNIGHT.

Thursday, December 21, 2017

MDG at 1/2

Half a year!  Not for the first time this year I'm wondering where in the world the time went.  It just goes past.

Little Mister had his 6-month checkup this week and he's doing just great.  He's finally dropped out of the 100% for height, but he's getting so nice and chubbsy with his knee rolls and all.  He still has this little darkish triangular type mark thing on his hand, which the doc last time thought was due to contact with limes and sunlight, but it hasn't faded or changed, so it could just be a later-blooming birthmark.  He's still happy and smiley and laughy and spends his days rolling all over the place.  It's so funny to leave him on his blanket and then come back just a few seconds later and find him gnawing on some toy all the way across the room (or Christmas tree ornaments, eep).  He's definitely our holliest jolliest baby at this age and though he has his moments -- it's only fair, everyone gets hangry sometimes, and I myself can be pretty cranky when I'm tired -- but mostly he just looks around and checks everything out and laughs easily.  He's just starting on solids, sits up pretty well, sleeps mostly regularly and is overall a delight.
He's always glad to see me but he likes Mommy best (rightly so).
Parallel MDGs at Thanksgiving
First visit to the zoo!  It was cold but he had a good time.

Evidently!  (THOSE EYES.)

I mean, right??

Hanging at the adults ONLY ward Christmas party.  C'mon, son!  (Put intended.)

6 months!

Let's try some solid foods, boy!

Not sure what to think... he ended up eat some sweet potatoes and more or less enjoying the new sensations.

Half a cake for half a year!  He didn't get to eat any but we all sure did.  (Julie was determined his six-month cake wouldn't be neglected just because he's the third child.)
And now he's all set for his first-ever Christmas on the outside.  He's a good boy and we're all so happy he's ours.

Thanksgiving 2017

I used to try to think of really clever titles for my blogposts but these days I'm mostly about basic description.  It makes it easier for archival/searching purposes.

Anyway, quick before it's Christmas!!!  Thanksgiving did happen and it was really nice.

We started out with our fourth annual Thanksgiving Day Murdock Trail 5K fun run/walk/stroll/bike/trot (don't dogs trot?).  The weather was positively balmy, and I think this was The Wife's first time not being pregnant and sick so she could join us, hurrah, and we expanded to include one of Matt's work friends!  And of course Heather who is practically family.  Maybe we'll make it a more open invitation next year, just in case people are interested.  There were plenty of pumpkin streusel muffins and bananas to go around.  Adelaide came in first (my time was __:__).
Can you tell who was Photoshopped in?  I actually followed through this time!
This was actually taken on MY phone by Julie as she crossed the finish line, since I dropped it when I turned around at the halfway mark...  Thanks for saving it, Heather!
A family that runs together... runs together.
Wife making one of her legendary cakes.  Sweet potato!  With marshmallow icing on top!  And pecan garnish!
Om nom nom
Boy is starting to get the idea about Thanksgiving dinner, and he and cousin Link found a great spot to enjoy their rolls. 
Parallel MDGs
Dinner was really lovely and Sleigh Ride was practiced and it was a great day and I can't believe it's already December and WHERE did 2017 go???