boneyard beach

Sketchbook Review of 2012

Here are some fun memories from Brandon's journal last year!

JANUARY:

 Brandon and Paisley dancing to Newsies music

FEBRUARY:

 Paisley (finally!) gets potty trained

MARCH:

 Sawyer enjoys a family nature walk

 Brandon worked out of town and decided it would be more fun to camp than to have his company put him up in a hotel

APRIL:

 Watching the sunrise at the beach on Easter morning

 Kids waking up at night- I'm convinced it's a mother's gift to always hear her children when they need her and a father's gift to always sleep through it

 Brandon "helps" Paisley brush her teeth

MAY:

Floating down the spring-fed Ichetucknee River when Gigi came to visit. We were grateful to have an extra set of eyes and hands for Sawyer!

 Paisley: Do animals wear underwears?

Brandon: Did you see any at the zoo today in underwear?

Paisley: maybe . . . the owl.

JUNE: 

Rachel and Brandon vs. The Roaches

 Bike riding on a little anniversary getaway

 JULY:

Brandon got me a surf board for my birthday!

 Our first campout with Sawyer- We were so worried about the terrible heat that we were totally unprepared when it cooled of that evening. Well, at least the kids had fun . . . all night long.

 A little indoor nerf soccer to celebrate the Summer Olympics

AUGUST:

 Daddy is better than any toy

 We bought a house! And there are dolphins in the river down the street!

SEPTEMBER:

 According to Brandon the most important asset of a house is the backyard, and especially the trees. He lost no time in installing a 40 ft. rope swing

 We performed a parody of The Little Mermaid's Part of Your World at a church talent show--Part of Nursery. Sawyer could not wait to go to nursery and we couldn't wait either!

OCTOBER:

Brandon learns to surf

Brandon headed down to Fort Myers, FL to supervise the building of an outdoor patio at a restaurant. We joined him the following week, but while he was gone I found out I was pregnant and let him know over the phone!

Trick-or-treating as Goldilocks and the three bears. Paisley loves candy. Sawyer won't touch it. Paisley loved dressing up. Sawyer did not.

 NOVEMBER:

 The best part of our extended stay in Fort Myers was the one Saturday Brandon didn't have to work. We explored Sanibel Island on our bikes and played at the beautiful beaches. Sawyer always falls asleep in the bike trailer.

 The worst part of our stay-- all sleeping in one small room, Sawyer learning he could climb out of his pack n' play, Brandon's crazy work hours, morning sickness . . .

DECEMBER:

Back from For Meyers, Brandon built the kids an amazing play house for Christmas. With not much time and his all his siblings in town, he ended up building most of it outside at night. 

Paisley's favorite thing to do lately is color or paint little pieces of paper and stuff them in envelopes, bags, purses, wallets, or empty spice containers

Sawyer could spend hours sitting in one spot and moving a toy car back and forth across our furniture

The Christmas Card that Almost Was

I had the best intentions of doing real Christmas cards this year . . .

p.s. this is an official announcement!

a very merry

 

Love this photo from Christmas morning--Sawyer peeking out of his new playhouse, built by Daddy

one.

Happy first, Sawyer! We can't get enough of you.

moonbeams in a jar

We had  a wonderful and packed week with Gigi. Highlights included a river float, spray painting furniture, lots of Greek yogurt, finding a new (used) couch, and house hunting.  Definitely a fun change from my typical strict adherence to nap times and occasional outings to the park, library, or grocery store.  My favorite part about the trip, though, was resurrecting old childhood songs. I love singing with my mom, and it was the perfect way to keep the kids happy in the car. I'd completely forgotten about the song "Swinging on a Star." The chorus goes, "Would you like to swing on a star, carry moonbeams home in a jar, and be better of than you are?" I adored that song growing up. I'm going to have to work on the lyrics. Miss you, Gigi!

a quick hello

Just wanted to share this picture that my Mama snapped from her cell phone. It's been so fun to have her come visit. Can't wait for more adventures this coming week!

she's three

Here's a little peek into Paisley's world and her favorite things at age three.

happy birthday darling girl.