Annual Christmas Eve Journal Write 2022

I can't believe it's already Christmas Eve.

I can't believe how many times this year I've uttered the phrase "I can't believe it's [enter date here]."

I have felt continually behind and like I'm continually catching up but I guess the important thing is that it's continual, meaning I'm still trying to.

Christmas 2021

 Good grief, I never posted this last Christmas.  I literally post on here twice a year, you'd think I could manage that at least.

I thought this was a really good one too.

Annual Christmas Eve Journal Write 2021

Another wonderful marvelous incredible (truly) year and we've made it at least to Christmas.

Things are pretty gnarly right now and I'm afraid they're about to get gnarlier but I'm also somehow still somewhat (sometimes) optimistic.

Whatever happens will happen and much of it is and will continue to be out of our control so we just need to be as prepared as we can for it so that's the current mindset.

God bless us, every one.

(The goal this year was to have a complete mess of lights upon lights upon lights and so I bought a bunch of new lights and it still doesn't look like enough lights.  Okay tree though.)

Christmas 2020

I literally just noticed I never posted our Christmas card.

So here it is.

I mean to be real we still wear these pajamas all the time so we're

Annual Christmas Eve Journal Write 2020

 What on earth can possibly be said on this Christmas Eve 2020?

I don't even know where to start.

And I'm afraid once I do I won't stop.

So I won't.

The kids are asleep and soon so shall we be.

Christmas 2019

We wanna wish you a:

Annual Christmas Eve Journal Write 2019

I just read through last year's ACEJW and felt a grim realization that I failed in my resolve to get and stay caught up on blogging for 2019 almost 100%.  Then I realized I have done okay staying caught up on Instagram and really that seems to be the way things are going anyway and I refer to that a lot instead soooo maybe that's just what's going to happen.

But you know I'm still going to drop a line here once or twice a year, even if it's just to say hello and merry Christmas Eve.

I've been doing a bit of a juggling act lately but I think I'm finding a pretty good balance.  It's true that I don't even have a picture of our Christmas tree to put on here but wait, you know what?  I can go take one right now, why not?  Stand by...

THERE. I did a thing.  I had an idea and I stood up and followed through, and that's a Christmas Eve win.  And I just realized that there's the white lights in that middle section are out.  This is real life.

Anyway, it was a busy and crazy and wonderful year and 2020 is looking to be a pretty good one too.

Welcoming FBG

I may not be blogging regularly anymore but you know I'm going to document this:

It's a boy

 23 September 2019

8 lbs 6 oz

20.5 inches

Beloved by all.

Christmas 2018

From all of us to all of you:

Annual Christmas Eve Journal Write 2018

I had grand plans to be caught up by tonight but I'm not but I still want to do my annual Christmas Eve Journal Write.

(Incidentally one of my goals for 2019 is to be better about staying caught up on my blog by the way.  I know no one reads these anymore but I actually refer to it quite often and find it a great resource even as a personal journal and photo depository.)

We had Mom and Dad over for fondue again this year and it was sooooo delicious and I'm not regretting in the least all the treats I've been eating over the last week or so.

Christmas is all set to go and the kids are asleep and I finished my 4:50 dead hangs (ouch why) and we're looking forward to a loud and busy and tons of fun day tomorrow.  We watched The Small One tonight and it was a little magical to watch Charlie (5.5) figure out the twist in the last seconds.

The Wife is sitting at my side working on her brand new laptop with a light-up keyboard and it brings me a lot of joy that it brings her a lot of joy.

This year's Christmas pajamas from Mom featured shorts and I'm okay with this.

Anyway, Santa should be here any second, in fact I think he already showed up, so I better get to bed.

July the Fourth 2019

We had a great Independence Day.  Hiking with the fam, fireworks shirts, all the foods and panorama fireworks from the backyard, and kayaking the next day.

Mom's four zones 

Nice big group!

And we shall call it... This Land...

A's side-eye...

Water babies

Happy birthday, America! There are troubles but honestly things have been and could be much worse.

MDG's Year the First!

Well, for the first time in maybe ever I'm like six months behind.  But I do not accept this as an inevitability!  At least not yet.  So here's a quick update on Milo's first birthday.

At his first birthday this little man is eating most things and teething and waaaaalking all over the place.  I may or may not have mentioned that he seems to be making up for being such a mild newborn and using his recently discovered voice most vehemently, but he's just sooooo cute that it's easy to forget about that.  He doesn't really like sitting still but he occasionally likes a snuggle.  Doc says he's a healthy boy and his birthmark is pretty much here to stay and he's almost always happy.

He's a good boy and so loved by his parents and older siblings.

Discovering the ceiling fan

Fascinating!

New trick!

An artist

He loves a bath

And he loves his mommy!

1st birthday photoshoot 

That baby face

CAKE

I think he liked it.

 That's all for now!  I wish I could remember more but it's my own fault for waiting so long.  What matters most is that he's a happy, healthy, loved boy.

11 Month Little Man

What the, I was just sitting here about to procrastinate doing his first birthday post when I realized I haven't even done his 11 months.  Well then here goes.

Little Man did indeed hit 11 months!  The room was given a mini-makeover to feel more like his own, and he's done well in his own place.  He's eating a lot and sleeping pretty great and walking around like nobody's business, months earlier than either of the older two.  He has absolutely found his voice and makes it heard often, and often quite loudly.  He's still pretty easygoing most of the time but when he's upset or impatient he doesn't really hold back.

They finally booted me out of Primary but at least the company in EQ is good.

What a change half a room of color can make.

Thumbnail for a video but still so cute!  He approves of the new baby swing.

Such a fun church buddy.  Always keeps me on my toes.  Or on my feet at least.

"Yawn and Back Again," by Milo Baggins

He loves his mommy so much and is looking so big.

Okay then, next time it will be time to ready on birthday the first.  Such a big boy, full of life and personality and sweetness.

MDG at 10 Months

It's been another month already!  Little Mister is growing so fast and keeping everyone in the family on their toes.  He's moving all over the place and yes, already walking.  He can often be seen standing up on his own and taking several steps, which is amazing and also pretty crazy.  He's a bottomless pit in the high chair, eating just about everything he's tried and always hungry for more.  He's found his wail at last, making himself heard quite often and seeming to make up for lost time, but never without reason (Feed him!  Hold him!  Put him to bed!), and never for too long.  He has this funny nasal whimper he does that makes it kind of hard to be upset at the whining, ha ha.  He's a good sport through some recent sniffles and once we put him in his own room -- blessed day! -- started sleeping through the night again.  We're thinking he would wake up in the night and see us there and be like, what the heck, why aren't you coming to get me?? when if the same thing happens in his own room he usually just realizes no one's around and goes back to sleep.  A plan has been enacted to turn sister's room into his own space.

Such a great traveler on the airplane back from CA.

First Easter!

Look at him smiling around that binky.

Supporting Mommy at her 5K.

Post-bath surprised faces.

10 months!  Look at that smile!  Look at how the hat barely fits!

Sweet boy, keep growing but stop growing.

Easter 2018

This year's Easter was a little different in a few ways.  It fell on General Conference Sunday, so we didn't have our usual church outing (and so The Wife couldn't figure out the right time to put together her Easter outfits, which it turns out didn't arrive in time anyway).

Easter morning was as exciting as could be expected.  It's amazing how much kids get such a thrill out of plastic eggs and candy, but I so love their enthusiasm for the magical and festive.

Everybunny is having a great morning.

We opted for a family brunch situation rather than the usual dinner, just for something different and since people might start having their own evening plans.  There were eggs to be hunted and so much delicious food.

When your sister is a pro photog you sometimes get the most lovely photos of your kids at special occasions!  See her work at Blue Hill Images.

In betweentimes we visited our new favorite tradition, this cool replica of the tomb, located right here in Alpine.

So nice, but I do mean to suggest to them to change up the music loop (that is, to include more than one song in said loop).

Then we invited Mom and Dad over and joined forces with Elise & Co. for their wonderful Mediterranean feast (it does make more sense as an Easter meal when you think about it), which we might have to make a tradition if the Rs are amenable!!!

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This was also the project of the weekend... Hurray, no more worrying about the giant gaps where the springs inevitably pop off every time I jumped on it.

The old ones looks so wilty compared, ha ha.

And that's all there was to it!  Julie made a marvelous angel food cake that was praised by all, the kids had a great time grounded in the purpose of the day, we caught some GC talks and discussed the news and overall enjoyed the spring weather (until it turned to winter again a few days later) (but now it's spring again so it's fine).