snow day



Everett's initial reaction to the snow... he hates it and the snowsuit



I really hate this mom...

sled= no more crying (thanks mimi!)



licking the snowflakes and probably snot... eww

sweet face

took a little while- but eventually he loved it!



baby steps

our christmas can be summed up with this picture...

the year of everett...

2010 has been a pretty awesome, incredible, life changing year for us. It's funny to reflect on the year and all the ways that life is different after just 365 days. This time last year I looked like this:

large bellied, swollen ankles, and unsure of what the year would hold. Today, I can say with certainty that this was the best year of my 27 so far. It hasn't been without growing pains, learning, tears of joy and frustration; however, it has been the best. It's hard to put into words the amount of joy that Everett has brought to our family.We have learned what it means to really sacrifice for someone else, to find joy in simple everyday things, and to just truly be grateful for the Lord's blessings and provisions. Here's to hoping that 2011 will be even half as awesome.

what is it about sirens

that make my normally barking dogs do this:

sweet moments...

We were in the car driving to Christmas festivities with Aaron's family. We were listening to Bing Crosby Christmas, talking and planning and just enjoying these moments in between the running around and crazy-ness of the holiday festivities. Everett started babbling sweetly in the back seat and I grabbed Aaron's hand and just held it. We didn't really say anything, but I knew he was feeling exactly what I was --- that there was nothing sweeter, no where else I'd rather be, then right there in that moment with him and Everett. I could feel the urge to cry rising up in my throat, just thinking about how incredibly happy I was right then. How blessed I felt to be sharing a car and my life with these two people. I'm so thankful for moments like that: moments where my heart feels so full it might burst. Moments that I just want to freeze in time and re-live over and over. There have been so many of those sweet moments this year and I'm just so thankful for each one.

Merry Christmas!

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace
(Isaiah 9:6)

From our family to yours- wishing you a wonderful Christmas and a blessed 2011!


May you know the true JOY of a relationship with Christ and the peace and comfort in walking with Him!

all I want for christmas...

check! Everett's got two of his bottom teeth in! Thanks to Aunt Missy for the adorable bib/picture!

sharing is caring

Everett's interesting and slightly gross first try at sharing...he made me laugh and made the dogs happy for a good 45 minutes

growing up too fast...

Everett is 9 months old today- 9 months!!! He is growing like crazy. Such a sweet, happy baby. He is curious and interested in everything. He's started to understand that even when we take something away, it's still there. He's a crawling pro. We set him on the floor and he's in the kitchen playing with the dog bowls in a few seconds. He recognizes his name when we say it. The dogs are his best buddies. He has the biggest smile and a squeals with excitement when he sees Aaron walk in the door from work. He entertains himself, but loves to be held. It is so cool to watch him grow and develop and discover new things. Everett makes being a parent pretty awesome. There are the occasional fussy evenings, but they're few and far between. We are usually looking at his sweet face and his big, toothless grin utterly content to be his mom and dad. Truly my heart is full, completely and totally. Happy 3/4 year my little love!