Behind???

Um, yeah, so behind!  ...on the blog, that is.

I cannot believe it has been a month and a half since my last blog.  On a positive note, projects have been completed in our home that have been waiting for my attention!  I should have taken a "before" picture of our loft turned guest bedroom/craft/sewing room.  I cannot believe the transformation!  I still have one more piece of furniture to convince Tyler to help me carry up the stairs to complete the room, but it is well on its way to being a functional, multi-use space!
We are so thankful to be able to spend another year together as a family and reflect fondly on the past year.  We went from 3 to 4 human members and from 9 to 3 animal members.  Callie has been such an amazing addition to our family.  I can't believe she will be one year old next month.  The time goes so fast!  Border and Callie have become wonderful playmates and we are more than thrilled to see their relationship blossom!  It makes having babies close together so worth the hard work!
We made the decision to take our chickens to auction recently.  It is bitter sweet.  We are looking forward to chicken farming again in a few years when we get a better set-up, older kids, and learn not to throw the eggs back in the coop (this teaches them to eat their own eggs)!
Our family has grown in love and understanding most of all this year.  I pray yours has done the same.
I will get back on the blog come new year, but until then, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

"Bless You"

Border has developed quite the vocabulary and pronounces most things very well.  He can say the alphabet, count to 10, say the days of the week, and lately has become responsive to bodily noises :)  He is so good at responding, "Bless you" or "Excuse me" when the appropriate response is needed.  He even "blesses" himself...so cute!  The doctor is impressed with his pronunciation, vocabulary, and knowledge for his age and being a boy.....we responded that we couldn't imagine where on earth he was getting these skills :)

"No, seriously, is there something on my face?"

Sleeping Beauty....

He slept through Tyler going in and taking this picture.  How is he resting in this position?

A quick trip to Yosemite for Tyler and Marjean!

Cool view from a bridge on our bike ride.

Ahhh, breathtaking!  Oh, so is halfdome :)

There was this neat area near Mirror Lake (no lake, just the sandy bottom) where individuals had stacked stones.  Tyler made one as a prayer for our family as in some cultures they are like prayer gardens. 

The process reminded me of Jenga a bit.

Look how these trees found a way to grow even around a huge boulder....we should have such perseverence!

Too cool...Tyler started our fire with a battery and steel wool just to see if it really works.  FYI...don't carry these in your pocket together...it REALLY works!

The view from our little camp site....not too shabby!

Expensive bottle of wine + disposable glasses/recycled/whatever + time alone together = HEAVEN

We rode our bikes over to the Awahnee.

Eat your heart out, Ansel Adams!

Border's Birthday "Cake Cakes"

Dum Dum...

Border got a Dum Dum sucker for being a brave boy at his 2 year checkup.  He performed all of his tricks for the doctor...he said his "ABCs", counted to 10, and said the Days of the week!  He had to get a shot and a iron test.  All is well and he weighed 37 lbs and measured 37 inches.

Playing together on the floor....

Funny Boy

Now, there's a mess!

 I know, I know....DANGER!   I'm doing my best to keep him out of the dryer, but he likes to go in and look at the "Yight!"

Playing together

Makes a heart melt....

Helping in the kitchen

 Border has been very interested lately in helping in the kitchen.  He pulls up a chair and works on whatever he thinks needs attention.