Annually Yours

Every year my girlfriends and I have made a point to get together for Christmas. It started when we all left for college, catching up on the exciting events that were taking place scattered throughout the state. It evolved from the college/budget-friendly coffee date, to the post-college/career gift exchange, to the married madness (most of us all got married within the same year!) co-ed style. Now, we celebrate for two reasons:

1. Of course, to get together
2. To do it without kids.

I'm not kidding when I say that this is the only time in the year where we have been successful in all couples NOT having kids to tag along! Even if it lasts only hours, it's well worth the freedom. So what do a bunch of adults do without their children?
Some of this:
Lots of this:




A pose or two.

Unfortunately some of this (yes, high school cheer leading dances came out):

Sadly, we were missing quite a few of our teammates due to the chaos of the Christmas season, but we made the best of it. Picture's looking kind of bland. Missed you girls. :-(
Maker's Diet Lovebirds (yes, they braved the party while on the cleanse, nice work, you two!)
I obviously had a crush on these neat little cup labels, how inventive, yet attractive at the same time!
So he had a J Mock cup and a "No Shiz" cup. Questionable.
This was the first time we left Everett overnight. With my breast pump in tow, Jason and I celebrated by being obnoxiously loud and rebellious in the car. It was really exciting. I think he even rolled his window down a time or two--heck, with no kids to accidentally wake, why not?!
Thanks to the hosts for a pleasantly embarrassing time. I will save the pictures of Jon's token "chainsaw" dance for another post.

Love you all and am so grateful for such wonderful, fun, smart, and inspiring friends!
Oh, and to mention the kids: Although we returned to hacking and snotty beasts, the two boys slept great and had a good time with Gigi, Papa, Aunties Patti and Ann, and Uncle Tom. It was a full house and they had plenty of attention. Turkey #2 waisted 18 ounces of gold-plated breast milk, due to the fact that he chose not to take a bottle. Win some and lose some, I suppose.

Nine's Divine

Happy Nine Months, Kiddo!
I'm hoping by now my monthly update titles are causing some form of nostalgia as you picture the shrieking sounds of pre-adolescent kids counting, "Five's Alive, Six is Bliss, Seven is Heaven"... I do it only to annoy you, my friends. On to Everett.
Some stats:
Nicknames: Huckleberry, Easy E, Weasel, Kid, Number Two (cruel, must stop that one)
Favorite Food: Inn N Out Cheeseburger (see post )--daily fave: chili, pears, bananas, sweet potato medley I make him (apples, butternut squash and sweet potatoes chopped up with some cinnamon--mmmm), Ezekiel Cinnamon Raisin bread.
Words: Dadda, Momma, All done, More
Signs: All done (however, now he's gotten lazy, so he basically looks like a Nazi with one hand in the air)
Favorite Activity: Underdoggies on the swing (boy he shrieks like a girl!), wrestling with Carter, "reading" books with Carter, singing (he joins with anyone who's singing!), and solo time
Favorite Toy/ Item: Of course his blankie (see below)--must suck thumb if blankie is sighted.
Routine:
8am-wake and breast feed, eat breakfast
10am-nap (Mommy cuts this short)
10:45am-wake and have snack
12:00pm-lunch with Brother
1:45pm-nap
3:30pm-wake and breast feed, snack
6:00pm dinner with the family
7:30pm-bed--you sleep 12-13 hrs every night!

You're growing too quickly. You're still loud and funny, everybody loves you and you will go to anyone!