My lil Irish man...

I could not resist the urge to dress jack up for St. Patricks day. The results were adorable.

First year, new year...

We spent New Years Eve celebrating with 3 of our favorite families: the Cole's, LaBelle's and Snyder's at what has become our annual Christmas party and gift exchange. These families are such a blessing to Jim and I and we are so happy to experience life together. And now as an added bonus we get the joy of watching our kids grow up together. It's amazing to think back to 7 years ago when this tradition started and to see what it has literally grown into 😘

This year party will definitely go down as the most memorable this far. Thankfully it ended with a laugh but it was not without the drama. Chris choked on our delicious prime rib and it took us all awhile to figure out what was happening. Once we did Jim and Bobby jumped into action and Bobby gave Chris the heimleich. 

Here's our reenactment of how that went down:

Funny now but it was scary in the moment. A story that will live on for years to come, I'm sure. 

Jack was his usual party animal self, so when all the other kids were sleeping yhe night away there was jack wide awake and ready to ring in the new year 

Jack is so happy to finally have another boy around to help fend off all the ladies. I just know Jack and Mason will be great friends for years to come. 

Even with the scare it was a great night and,as usual, many laughs were had and even better memories made. 

Is this not the most adorable picture ever? Stella is the sweetest with jack and all the kids and makes such a fantastic big sister to Mason. I just want to eat her up. 

You gotta love these guys!

Cheers to 2014!

Baby's first Christmas...

Heeeeere's Jack! Bright eyed and bushy tailed for his very first Christmas!

Despite how good I've been about taking pictures this year I failed at documenting most of our Christmas traditions. I did manage to get one family shot of us dressed in our church attire. 

We spent Christmas Eve at the McCollum's with all the family. Jack and Lauren had a great time getting to know one another. These two may give us a run for our money in the coming years. They already look like they are plotting against us.

Christmas morning we spent just the 3 of us at home. We relaxed, Jim made breakfast, and then we opened presents. Here is Jack opening his very first one. 

Jack was spoiled with lots of books and toys. One of his favorite gifts was this bear from his Uncle John an Aunt Sara (the Lamanna's)

Steubie is so soft and fluffy, and Jack loves laying on him and rolling all over the floor with him.

Jack also got a new little blanket bear from his great Aunt Pat. He loves it and sleeps with it every night. 

Christmas Day was spent at my mom's house, with Aunt Amy and Uncle Terry. We had dinner and opened presents. Jack must have been worn out from all the excitement because he passed out on me for a good hour or so, which he never does. I'm not complaining, I will always take cuddles from my little love bug. It's my own little Christmas miracle.

 

 

 

We had a wonderful first Christmas, building new traditions and making fantastic memories as a family of 3.  And having these two to share my life with is the only present this mom needs. 

 

Success with Santa...

We made it through Jack's first Santa trip with absolutely no tears :)

Even though I secretly love those pictures of screaming children on Santa's lap...shhhhh don't tell anyone.

Full moon...

After gaining inspiration from Pinterest we decided to stage our own little Christmas photo shoot with Jack. The results are to die for, if I do say so myself :) 

We also had lots and lots out out takes that are pretty great as well:

And yes I am aware that he will kill me for these one day but I don't care. Those little bare buns are too cute not to share. And yes we did have a minor pee incident but it was all worth it. 

Grateful...

For each new morning with its light

For rest and shelter of the night

For health and food, for love and friends

For everything Thy goodness sends.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Happy Thanksgiving!

Our lil lion...

This is the best I could get for his costume this year. Halloween was a long day for jack and a little too overwhelming but he survived and still looked mighty cute as our lil lion. Here's Jack with his cousin Lauren. Neither one was at a point where they wanted their picture taken, so this is what we got.  

We made our best effort and still had fun with all the cousins. Hopefully next year we can actually make it to a couple houses for trick or treating. We have a great idea for a costume ;) 

Until then here are my nieces and nephew all dressed up in their matching incredible costumes. Adorable! 

Halloween is so fun to see all the little ones dressed up. It's amazing that a year ago we were just announcing our pregnancy.