Year in Review

2013: you were awesome and exhausting. We had a full year of two toddlers bouncing off the walls nonstop and I may have some perspective now about how the next 18 years are going to go. A few moments this year really opened my eyes to how fast time escapes us and that we should hold our loved ones so so close. We are so thankful to have a pretty awesome family and some amazing friends to boot.

I am SO excited for 2014. With each new day this year I have noticed the boys bond getting closer and closer (and louder and louder). While it was not in our plan to have them so close together all that work really does pay off. They are the best of friends. I am so excited to see their relationship grow. Colin and Evan are also expecting a cousin in the summer and I can't stop thinking about holding that little babe. Happy New Year my friends!



For a look back on previous years: {2010, 2011, 2012}

two!

Do a loony-goony dance 'Cross the kitchen floor, Put something silly in the world That ain't been there before.” --Shel Silverstein

This little guy is celebrating his SECOND birthday. I officially do not have a baby in this house anymore.

Now Evan, you are a firecracker. But I love that about you. I sometimes watch you while your running lighting speed across the the room doing flips onto the kitchen table (partly kidding) and can't help but think how you are going to take over this world all while dancing. Because you know how to dance like no child I've seen.

Your spunk keeps this house literally on our feet but I couldn't imagine our family without you. I am so lucky to be your mom.

Full Cup

We just finished putting up our Christmas tree and getting ready for thanksgiving round two tomorrow. As the boys nap upstairs I am sitting here thinking about how different it was last year when decorating our tree. We had to stick Evan in a highchair feeding him puffs while we rushed to decorate. Now a year later Colin is asking Evan questions to which Evan is replying yes or no. They run off into corners together pretend vacuuming or playing with their trucks. Everyone says it to new parents... "it goes by so fast, enjoy." I always thought to myself what are these people talking about. This is hard. But now that we really don't have a baby in our house any longer and the boys are becoming independent I start to daydream about how they are going to become the best of friends (and yes probably the worst of friends). It really becomes more evident around the holidays when everything is centered around family. We are lucky to have our health and two loving boys and our families all around us. Holidays are exhausting but we are so so lucky to be able to be exhausted with family.

 A few things I don't want to forget at the moment:

Colin is saying phrases like "and that's why", "well of course", "does that sound good".... and they make no sense its so freaking cute. "I want a star because I was good today.. and that's why". Of course these phrases are all reflections of things we say to him. And it couldn't make me happier.. knowing that he is picking up these sweet sweet phrases. We really are so lucky that he is such a polite boy. He is a monster at times don't get me wrong.

Evan could be potty trained today if we really wanted. I've taken the approach of "when they are ready." With Colin I didnt rush anything.. i just let them happen. Switching his bed, potty training, paci.. everything is on his watch. And honestly its so easy. All his transitions were seamless and I plan on that for Evan. So when Evan tells us he has to poop and run for the potty am I am bad mom for not taking his diaper off, mmmmm nahh.

Colin is so excited about Christmas. He wants a water gun, a star and a guitar. I have no clue where these things came from but he insistent and his story is not changing.

Evan turns TWO in a few weeks. What?! I just teared up writing that sentence. Moving on..

Our days are chaos and these two boys have taught me a lot about the boy world. And its so much fun, exhausting but so.much.fun.

More Family Photos!

More family photos of the Smith side! We paused the Skins game and ran up to take a few photos. It takes less than 5 minutes to grab a few photos and I love that we have a few things to frame. Love how we are all wearing plaid around the grandparents.. hilarious.

Florida Visit!

We hopped on a plane to visit my grandparents in Clearwater, FL. My father's parents are no longer with us and I know that they would have very much enjoyed spending time with the boys. It is so important now for us to spend the time we are given with family. The boys may not have a recollection of their great grandparents when they are older but it means so much to my grandparents to spend some time with these wild boys. Now traveling is a different story but as I said last year it does become worth it when you see the interactions. My grandma will be 90 in January and by her activity one would never know!

Family Photos!

The fall in Virginia is something so so beautiful. It's my absolute most favorite time of the year hands down. I love a good crisp morning, I love all fall festivals, the colors, the changing of the season, family celebrations.. I just love it all. But so does everyone else in Virginia and what has kept me so busy. So when my mom emailed me to ask when we were taking our family photo I felt awful. So we crammed it into a morning session and of course must have picked the first coldest morning of fall. I set up my tripod and made Justin run back to our house to grab my remote I forgot. Pure chaos but it's amazing what you can get in 10 minutes. We will be taking another round with the Smith/Hamilton (!) clan soon. Happy Fall!

Then we changed direction to make the wind work with us... it's all in the small things boys

two little wedding crashers!

These munchkins are in their aunts wedding this weekend. I don't have any expectations for their actions but I know they will look adorable whatever they choose to do. Can't wait for Saturday!

happy dancing

Colin's persoanlity.. i have no idea where it came from. But at three years of age he has more facial expressions than I've ever seen on a person and he uses each of them perfectly. His eyebrows can speak several different languages alone. But his happy dance is killer. I love his little happy dance..

all in a day

we make a mess with our cereal because nobody dare touches his spoon
we are the first ones to arrive at any given park in the morning
we watch colin leave for his first game with dad (we not playing mommy, we just watch.. he was nervous)
we play with Brielle for the night (not pictured as I was too busy breaking up baby doll fights)

Summer on Film!

cousins!