Ringing in the New Year! January 2014

I am discovering, as  a stay at home mom, that the winters can get pretty boring. With a new little baby we didn't want to venture out into the cold. So, while Tyson worked all day, the kids and I stayed inside and played. 

It has been really fun to see all the expressions my new little lady makes. Often times when she pulls a face Tyson says she reminds him of me. Meaning I pull a lot of funny faces.

Abe and I tried to keep busy with crafts and fun projects. We most often colored and played with stickers. Abe LOVES to have stickers on his belly!

We ventured out into the cold for a family date night. I had craved sushi all throughout my pregnancy with Monet and we had to avoid most of the stuff I really like. So, once she was here, we knew we would have to go out and get me some SUSHI!

Abe and Monet got to know each other.

My parents had to put down our family dog. It was very sad to know a member of our family was so sick and needed to be let go. But.... They did get a new dog! Her name is Mia and she is really sweet. Abe loves her!

Our nephew Thomas Hunsaker was born! 

Abe tried banana bread for the first time and LOVED it!

I had lots of photo shoots with the kids. 

They both got tired of it!

Abe displayed his signs of OCD in the ways he played and made messes. I often was worried he was making a mess when he was a little too quiet.... Turns out this is as messy as it gets.

We ventured out again for another date night to Sean's BBQ. If you haven't been there, you NEED to!

AND Tyson started a new mural in our house! This one is in the play room downstairs. It is going to be circus themed and we already love it!

 

Silver and Gold- December 2013

December was a month filled with family and fun. We really enjoyed being home with our new addition and we spent a lot of time together. It is such a blessing to have Monet here with us!

We started the month off right by celebrating Abe's second birthday. He has really loved Batman lately so we thought we would have a Batman theme to his party. 

Tyson and I worked together on the cake. It was really fun to share something I have loved doing all my life (cake decorating) with the love of my life. He really got into it and I think things turned out perfect!

We called in a special request from our pal Batman and asked if he could stop by the party for a few minutes. Abe was shocked. 

He might not be smiling but, as his mother, I can tell you he was so excited to have Batman there in HIS house!

Family and friends came to celebrate with us and we all had a really good time. What a lucky little two year old we have!

Abe and Tyson had some outdoor adventures around our house before the real cold hit.

Monet and I enjoyed our time together inside.

We attended the annual Christmas party for Tyson's work.

When I was a kid, my mom hand stitched our Christmas stockings. It was always something that meant a lot to me. I had my own unique stocking that none of my friends had, and my parents had taken hours to make it for me. When we learned we were having Abe we decided to continue the tradition of making the stockings and I wanted them to be made similar to mine. I made Tyson's and Abe's that year. This year my mom took the time to make Monet's stocking and I have to say it is beautiful! I am so glad to have our stockings all in a row and know how much love went into making each one.

Our Elf, Christopher, came during the month and did some fun things with us. He brought Abe gifts on his birthday, he played with our Christmas decorations and Abe really enjoyed finding him each day. 

Tyson trimmed his beloved beard. I felt like that event should also be documented.

We had Christmas adventures with both sides of the family. Our kids really got spoiled this year!

I can't even put into words how grateful I am to be living close to my parents as well as my in-laws. It is so great to be able to see both sides of the family when we have big events or holidays. I know my kids love being close to most of their cousins too! We are just plain blessed.

Last but not least, we celebrated Tyson's birthday! He is 30 this year! We just had a small celebration, just the four of us, and it was perfect. That husband of mine is a wonderful man.