Merry Christmas! Happy Birthday!

First things first.  Porter turned seven right before Christmas.  I still sort of can't believe it.  Seven seems so big kid.  There is hardly a trace of the chubby toddler that sat on my lap and willingly gave me hugs in front of other people.  He is independent and funny and just growing up so fast. 

In honor of his day, we decided to have five of his friends over for a slumber party.  Fun times were had, but it was exhausting.  Those boys sure can stay up all night long.

And then Christmas!  We had a fairly relaxing day with only a few chocolate induced melt downs.  It was nice.  The kids were excited and happy.  I put them in decent clothes and tried to get a good picture.  I failed.  But that's okay.

Happy holidays to everyone out there. And much love in 2013.

Mexico

So we took the kids down to Mexico for two weeks in early December.  It was hot and sunny and beautiful, and we forgot all about snow and Christmas and Alaska and real life. 

The day that we arrived, we hurried to the room, threw on some shorts, took off our shoes and headed down to the beach.  Cedar stood at the edge of the ocean in her bare feet and contemplated the water.  Then when the surf edged close to her feet, she looked at me nervously and ran away.  Fast.  I'm pretty sure she thought it was going to be freezing cold just like every other ocean she's ever seen.  Once I dragged her in there against her will though, she had a change of heart.  And everything was up from there.

Thankful

It's been awhile!  I have been out of town pretty much since Molly's birthday, but we are finally home for good and trying to get ready for the holidays.  We were lucky enough to go on a family vacation to warm and sunny climes, but there will be more on that later (plus pictures).

Right now, in light of family and national tragedies, I am so,so thankful for my warm home, kids that get to wake up and go to school, and a wonderful community that really makes this time of year special.  And I will leave you with just a few moments of goofiness (otherwise titled the only video I've taken ever where all three kids cooperated for more than two seconds, or dark and blurry dance party on my phone).