New Beginnings

Well, it's time to wrap up 2012 and start a fresh new year. Have you made any resolutions yet? 

I've thought about giving up the blog several times in the past but I've kept it up mainly for Harrison and Waverly to enjoy someday. (Side note: One resolution is to finally make the blog books, it's hard b/c I'm very particular about the layout so I have to design it myself which is very time consuming). Anyways, I'm the type of person (A) that if it's says "A Photo A Day" well I better have a photo each stinkin day. Geezh. SOOO with that being said, I'm not giving the blog up just yet but I am changing the name. I'm not sure how often I will post, not committing to anything. Did I mention I do like comments???

I'm continuing with my Etsy Store, craft fairs and something else big is in the works...

Happy New Year!

Just Smile

I told H to make Baby smile. I was thinking he would say something funny to her but instead he literally made her smile.

These two monkeys just melt my heart. Harrison is a talker with a sweet heart. He believes Lego invented everything (Star Wars, Pirates of the Carribean, Indiana Jones, Lord of the Rings). He's never seen those movies but knows all the Lego figures. Ha! He loves listening to us read him stories and it's constantly curious about how stuff works. 

Miss Waverly is talking more and more. Her favorite words are bite and hot. Whenever she's hungry, she hits the fridge and says "bite, bite." No matter what I give her to eat, she always says "hot, hot" and tries to blow on it. Every night, she says "nite, nite" to everyone and gives us hugs. She loves Pink Bear and babies. If we see a baby in public, she has to scoop him/her out and say "baby."

At last, these two are finally old enough to really enjoy each others company. The other day they spent almost two hours hanging out and running from room to room. I love the relationship they have with each other. I hope they will always be close :)

Selfie

This is a selfie just for Ryan. #inevertakemyownpicturewithmyphoneandifeelridiculousdoingit

Lotta Snow

This is how much snow we got!!! Pretty crazy! I hope we get one or two more rounds before winter is over with :)

Team Snowman

It's TBT and here's a pic of the new family. I believe Mr. H was around 8 weeks old. Where has the time gone?!!!

Yay, the sisters created the best snowman ever! Actually H helped too and he's the one who took this pic!

Winter Wonderland

We awoke to a Winter Wonderland! This is the most snow we've received in one day in 86 years! Luckily we never lost power and Ryan's work was canceled. Double score.

Harrison wasted no time in exploring! I did warn him about the yellow snow...

Little Waverly wasn't so sure about it. Ryan mentioned going inside for soup and she nearly leaped in his arms. She's our southern born girl :)

Merry Christmas

Well, Ryan and I woke up early this morning and waited, and waited, and waited. Those little rascals totally slept in!!! Finally around 8:30 they made their grand appearance.

Harrison immediately started ripping into the presents. It really didn't matter if they were for him or not.

I never did get a shot of him looking at the camera. Apparently, he was a good boy this year ;) 

Waverly was a little confused at first by all the chaos but she caught on pretty quickly. 

Ryan received his beloved gallon of Tabasco. It was a quite a site when he used an infant dropper to get some out.

So my friend Andria gave me this shirt about a year ago and I absolutely LOVE it. It's soft, gray and has vintage cameras...screams ME. Well...my sister recently went to the Renegade Fair in LA and told me she found the perfect gift for me. She was right! Now I have a backup one! 

What a pleasant surprise to end this Christmas day! So beautiful and peaceful. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

The Eve

Chocolate chip cookies...check, carrot for Rudolph...check, thank you note for Santa...check, reading of Twas the Night Before Christmas...check, kids nestled in their beds...check!

Merry Christmas from our neck of the woods to yours!

Birthday Pie

I'm not a big fan of birthday cake. Don't get me wrong, I'll eat a piece but it's never something I request or would order off a menu. I heart goes to pumpkin pie and it's my dessert of choice every year on my birthday. 

We managed to sneak away for about an hour to enjoy some peace and quiet. Another year has gone by and I'm very blessed with everyone I have in my life. Here's to another great one!

Dudes

Harrison has been quite the character these days. Yesterday we have lots of good giggles, today we had several meltdowns. Ahhhh, the joys of parenthood.

Gingerbread Boss

Since H is out for Christmas day we spent a few nights at Bob and Mimi's. H and M assembled a gingerbread house last year and he begged Mimi to do it again. It makes for a perfect holiday tradition. Maybe next year they'll let Waverly be involved ;)

#TBT

In Instagram world it's Throwback Thursday. Sista love today.

Website Wednesday - see kate sew

It's that time of year when I begin to think about my New Year's Resolutions. My first one is to switch over all my cleaning products to organic or homemade mixtures. I've read a few article about all the toxins and it's kinda scary. However, I need to find some good ones, it will be hard to give up my Comet! Let me know if any suggestions.

My second resolution is to learn to sew! YAY! I am not giving up my glue and stitch witch but expanding my skill set ;) Anyways, I am really inspired by this blog see kate sew. Click HERE for it. Lots of free patterns and DYIs!

The Drews Family Pics

My friend Sara asked me to take some family pictures and I was a little nervous at first. It's been awhile since I've had a paying photography gig but I'm used to photographing the kiddos all the time. I actually had a lot of fun and here are a few of my favorites :)

Brie Baby

Our baby is quite the character. Ryan sent me this pic. She wanted him to open the fridge then she picked out the spreadable brie (which BTW is wonderful with provolone, pepper bacon and a honey crisp apple on deli bread). She was eating it by the spoonful!

Harrison, Waverly and Dun all have a fascination with stickers. I actually am pretty fond of them too. I'm sure my sticker books are around here somewhere :)

It was SO good getting hugs from everyone today. Sometimes that what you need to know everything is going to be alright. Also, my heart goes out to all the families in CT. Such a senseless crime and innocence lost for so many.

H's teacher is the greatest and below is a part of her email about the tragedy:

Finally, I want you to know how much the events that took place in Newtown affected me.  It KILLED me that the day that this happens, I was at home and not with your children.  I couldn't sleep last night, as thoughts were continuously going through my head about what I would do if something happened to these kids.  I never think of myself as their protector, just simply as their educator and hopefully a mentor of sorts.  I now feel the impact of the trust you have in me each and every day as you leave your prized possession in my hands, and in my care.  Thank you thank you.  These children are my world, and I truly think of them as my own.  I am as invested in this job and in these children as I could possibly be.

I hugged every child as tight as I could this morning and let them know how thankful I am for them and how much I love them. 

We have SO much to be thankful for, and so much to pray for this Christmas season.

Creative Birthday

As someone who has a December birthday it can be kinda a bummer. Too cold for outdoor fun and most people are pretty busy this time of year. WELL, we went to one of the most creative birthday parties today. First the kinds decorated not one but TWO cookies. They had frosting, sprinkles, chocolate chips, marshmallows, everything you needed. Luckily the weather was beautiful so the kiddos were able to go outside on the huge tree swing. They came back inside and decorated ornaments with stickers and paint. Then it was cupcake time. All the kids had a great time. Perfect theme for this time of year and their age :)

Ryan sent me this picture of Dun. I think Hearts tied him up to the vacuum?! 

I decided to make the journey to stay with Andria, visit friends and see the crew from the office. I have been thinking about Kristin a lot and realizing how precious time is. I wondered what if they would have stop for gas...she would still be here. But I've had to remind myself that God has a plan for us and to trust it. I know she did not suffer and her husband is going to make it. Life is just hard sometimes.

Traditions

One of my favorite traditions is going to see holiday lights. Every year I only remember the time we spent together and not the "I'm hungry" "I'm tired" "Are we there YET?!"

Harrison said, "Looks like someone wants to make cookies!"

Pirate Gingerbread Man

Harrison's homework assignment was to color this gingerbread man. He decided to make his look like Captain Jack Sparrow. I love the mustache (or is it moustache?) and the goatee.

I forgot to post this picture from the other day. I wonder who put him up there?

Okay, that's a silly Mr. Potato Head! Notice baby's hands sneaking into the picture...

Fashionista

Waverly's new favorite activity is Happy Birthday Bear. We sit at her little table and sing Happy Birthday to Pink Bear. She has a toy birthday cake with candles. She cuts me a piece and we pretend to enjoy our cake. I made the mistake of saying Happy Birthday Waverly instead of Pink Bear and she waved her hands at me and said "no, no, no"! Sorry, won't happen again.

It's toddler thug time! Wavy found H's Cars flannel pajama top and insisted I put it on her. She later brought me her hoodie, sunglasses and knit stocking. I'm just going to roll with it :)

How sweet, Dun brought the kids some Christmas books from the North Pole!

Sadness

Last night I received a call that wore very heavy on my heart. One of my former co-workers was killed in a car wreck and her husband is in critical condition. Kristin was an amazing illustrator and designer. I remember when Wilson and I interviewed her, she blew everyone out of the water (the research, the design, the presentation...all fantastic).

I spent today thinking about her, her family and everyone back in the office. It's especially hard when it's unexpected. Why do things like this happen to someone so young and a future so bright. I guess what we can take from tragedies to to live each day to the fullest and make sure your loved ones know how special they are to you...

A couple of months ago, I sent Kristin a link to a doodle notebook. I told her she should consider writing and illustrating a children's book. I know I'd buy it. She said she'd thought about it and maybe in 2013 she'd do it. Unfortunately we'll never get to see it. However we can still be in awe of Kristin's wonderful drawings through her blog, click HERE. 

Life is very short.

Let It Snow

Okay, I'm really ready for some snow. I guess Dun was reading my mind when he made these paper snowflakes. Not too bad with the scissors!

Sweet Dreams

Dun and Lucy can find the best sleeping spots! I don't know how they do it.

Buddies

At last, the new pink bear has found someone to love her...so sweet.

No Santa No

Obviously Waverly was overjoyed to see Santa this year. H kept on smiling like that the entire time. I finally I had to tell him to get off of Santa's lap.

Oh dear, what have we gotten ourselves into now!