hey, it's finally cold outside

Winter has arrived, people. It's supposed to snow tomorrow! day before Christmas eve!

Yesterday it was warm enough for John and I to take Jack for a walk. It felt kind of funny going for a walk on December 20, but it was nice all the same. 

Jack runs wild outside. It's like his little spirit can't hold it in and he embraces the brisk air for all that it is. I think he gets that from his dad.

This is what happens every, single time we see something he loves/and or wants.

That's our winter view. It's nothing fancy, but it's home. Everything is gray and brown and we're ready to see glittering white. Can someone please send it our way?

Tomorrow, Jack and I will venture south to Phoenix to try our hand at preparing Christmas-esque food. Okay, whose kidding? Jack will play and mom will eat. Hopefully not.

The Sing Off finale was last night and since we don't have cable we hope to watch it tonight! Don't disappoint us, Ben (Folds)!

blessings galore

Thanksgiving has come and gone and yet I'm still riding on it's coat tails. The entire family was together once again. It sends my heart soaring. Late night Harry Potter viewing (which was fantastic, the best one yet.) Andy's creative art project (a family first), and a new baby to join in the fun. Could Thanksgiving have gone on a week more, please?

Mel, my hilarious sister-in-law.

Andy and Jackboy

Aaron, my newest nephew. So precious.

This picture cracks me up. I love the faces and the expressions. The annoyance. The hunger. The blaring, relentless Arizona sun. John is obviously not annoyed.

Such big eyes.

Maggie had the first ever 18 year coming-of-age indoctrination. She was a great sport.

Mom and the turkey!

father and son

Pies, pies, and more pies. Did you know that some people don't like pumpkin PIE?!

Puzzles. A tradition I rarely take part in. My sister in law is always game.

My brother and Jack. Can you believe that when we were kids we were THIS cute?

It's always hard to see my brother go. A part of me wishes we could transport back to being kids every so often. A part of me feels like we're growing up too fast and when we're together I wish time would slow down just a bit. 


There's never a dull moment when our family is all together. Whether someone offended someone else or a hilarious joke was just made, there's always room for fun.

The Paper Mama Photo Challange : Confusion

Jack is always giving me hilarious faces. 

He is a ham most days and if it isn't an entire mouth-filled scream than it is a cheeky, shy grin, or just plain confusion. I think most often when he looks confused he is really taking it all in...or at least that's what I tell people. Let's be honest...he's most often confused whenever I'm holding a camera up to my face.

Today at church a woman commented that he has really become a little boy. His baby chub has smoothed out across his cheeks and his body just looks like he's about to take off running after some toy car. In fact, while she was telling me this Jack proceeded to throw his matchbox car across the ground, chase after it and then repeat the scene again. That's our boy. Taking after his dad.

 

The Paper Mama Photo Challange : Fingerprint

Just for fun...

this is how my kiddo spends most of his mornings. Reaching for food. Raisins seem to be his favorite lately.