Swaddle Free?

Trying to...It went great while we were down south and Lucas was around so much activity he just pooped out, and he had lots of naps with his aunties too. Yesterday's naps back at home didn't go well- At all. So I gave in and swaddled him this afternoon so I could have a little sanity. We'll try again soon....

My little sweeheart :)
Last night I had both boys in the rocking chair with me and I was humming lucas to sleep. Caleb joined in and started humming and grabbed Lucas' hand. It was one of those precious moments with my boys that I'll forever cheerish, something so small and simple, yet so sweet!

Side by Side

is how these two brothers will always be from now on in the car :) It keeps them both happy!

A walk to see the Christmas lights

Grammy Great

and Lucas meet for the first time on Christmas morning

The magic of Christmas morning

through our child's eyes

where the boys waited while cameras were set up downstairs

first glimpse (he knows something is up, but doesn't know what)

the troops coming downstairs on christmas morning

santa and his elves were busy on christmas eve

                                                                          lucas was the first to wake up
                                                                                          

a big hit, hasn't put this guitar down since ;)

loved watching the train!

all the early morning activity

Christmas takes on a new meaning when you have children. It was so fun to watch Caleb enjoy unwrapping his gifts and the excitement of my family as they watched :) Lucas loved all the action too!

It all began on Christmas eve

We drove down Christmas eve in the morning. My mom hosts Christmas eve every year. We ate tons of pasta, and let the boys stay up way past bedtime, then gave them their matching pjs to wear before bed that night. My favorite part of the night was watching Caleb next to cousin Jeffrey. He was enthralled with Jeffrey's guitar. The other highlight of the night was listening to my aunt Joey sing 'Santa Baby' with her hubby, my uncle neil. He played the guitar, she sang. Fun times. Growing up we always listened to Neil and Jeffrey sing while they played. My nani always chimmed in (couldn't carry a tune). Joey loves singing ( but like her mom, my nani, can't carry a tune! So Neil gave her singing lessons, how cute is that?) She sang to everyone Christmas eve. It was pretty cute!

where Caleb sat perched next to cousin Jeffrey, while Jeffrey played

my aunt joey and uncle neil performing 'santa baby'

i didn't take many pictures that night, it was a full house, but the fun was all in this room at this moment ;)

Later that night, Santa and his elves were busy....to be continued ;)

And we're back

From a week of fun!

                                                                        Lucas and auntie jenny at the americana

lots and lots of kisses

my two sweet boys

 the magic of christmas morning

                Photography by jennifer michele (my amazing sis!) I'll be uploading some more pics soon!



We had a glorious vacation down south with my family. Christmas was magical and New Years was a blast. It has been three years since we've been down for New Years and so it was a real treat to celebrate with my sisters. My mom made a special birthday brunch (Pitzals included!)for me before we left on Sunday and yesterday we spent the day home as a family, just the four of us again. It was a week's worth of alone time with my hubby, sister bonding (and bickering) just like the good ol' days, family dinners with everyone, close quarters and lots of estrogen in the house (poor dave and dad at least it was technically 4 boys living with 4 girls, although it didn't feel that way!) I forgot how hormonal and dramatic us girls can be when we all get together! Lots of loving on the boys. Caleb was pretty much Nani and Papa's little man all week, while Lucas was cuddled with and held all week by his aunties. Let's just say mom and dad had a very nice and MUCH NEEDED break. It was a wonderful week (even with the drama of my crazy family) and yesterday was a little hard settling back in. I'm doing better today. Just the boys and I, getting back in the routine of things....we won't be alone for long though :) More family coming up later this week and next. We are so grateful to have such supportive families! And I can't wait to post some pictures up later this week...or next :) I've been on a blog vacation as well and it feels kinda good :) taking a break from the daily to do's of life has been so refreshing for my soul! A week of relaxing on naps, bedtimes, cleaning, and laundry, and everything that comes with running a home was forgotten about as we just enjoyed hanging out. It was just what we all needed. Happy Tuesday :)