Yeah, The Back Of The Shirt Is Awesome, Too

Chillin'

I Don't Care If It's 8 Degrees, These Outfits We Brought From Key West Are Too Cute To Not Wear

Conversations With Georgia

We had several family gatherings this Christmas where we opened gifts. We've talked about the manger and baby Jesus and how we celebrate his birth. In your mind this means that we were going to a happy birthday party for Jesus. We went with it because it's tough to explain abstract things to a near-three-year-old.

So during our Christmas night baths here was the conversation:

Georgia: Was Jesus at the happy birthday parties today?
Mommy: No, well, kinda?
G: He was at another house?
M: No, he was up in Heaven.
G: Not at another house?
M: Nope.
G: Why wasn't he at the happy birthday parties?
M: Because he was in Heaven with his daddy and mommy. Remember how we talked about the manger?
G: No.
M: Remember Jesus was born in a stable and slept in a manger and the wise men brought him gifts?
G: No.
M: And there was an angel who watched over him?
G: No.
M: Let's wash your hair.

Big Smiles

Undershirtless

Daddy's Little Helper

Storytime With Grammy

Tree Trimmin'

Mmmm...candy cane.


Taste testing the ornaments.


Playing with your (read: daddy's) new race track.


Helping papa find the perfect spot for an ornament.


Sorting ornaments (check out those adorable baby cheeks).


Reeking havoc.


Stuck on the tree. You got mad and cried, but we couldn't help but giggle.


Reeking more havoc.


Wearing the tree skirt.

Annual Report: 2008

We’re feeling extremely blessed this Christmas. The news is full of stories about war, layoffs, recession and other scary things. But we’re happy and healthy, your daddy’s business is steady, and I’m able to stay home with you two. Life is good.

It’s been a whirlwind year for us. We were so sleep deprived the first half of the year that we didn’t do much outside of our house. Luckily our baby boy has become a much better sleeper so we’ve had the energy to do more trips to the park, walks around the block and play dates. You’re showing more interest in walking, and it’s fun to watch you toddle around and smile with those prominent front teeth.

Sister attends school two days a week, and you enjoy regaling us with stories of your friends over dinner. You’re really excited about Christmas this year, and you’re always talking about Santa and Christmas trees and lights and ornaments. We often sing “Happy Birthday” to baby Jesus and you can’t wait to go to his happy birthday party. You’re starting to understand.

You two are great friends. Watching you play and laugh together is a dream come true for us. Georgia, you like to push Palmer around in your little wagon and hold him like a baby. Palmer likes to do everything sister does.

With two little ones it was becoming increasingly difficult for your daddy to work at home. So this fall he moved into his first studio. It’s awesome! He spends many of his working hours there when he’s not on location, so I don’t have to try to keep you quiet and he can talk on the phone as loudly as he needs. It’s probably the best thing we’ve done for our marriage in years. He’s using the space mostly as an office and meeting place right now, but hopes to do shoots there in time.

You got to spend quite a bit of time with your grandparents this year because mommy and daddy had to travel for business. We shot two destination weddings for one amazing family. In August we headed to Montana for a mountain wedding. We’d never been to that part of the country so it was a true adventure for us. We went white water rafting, spent a day in Yellowstone National Park and took some amazing photos (if we do say so ourselves). We spent last week shooting in Key West, Florida, another place we’ve never been. Sunny weather, beautiful beaches, an awesome couple. It was tough to come back to single digit temperatures.

We’re working very hard these days, but we try to spend as much time as possible with our little people. We realize you’re only going to be little for a short time, so we’re trying to absorb as much of you as possible.

To readers who are not our children: This is your Christmas cards

Sweet Faced Boy

So Proud!

Back Home

We were gone for five days. While we were gone you learned several Christmas songs, learned how to spell your name (or at least the first five letters of your name), learned how to button buttons, and started having conversations with us on the phone. Your brother learned how to sign "more," learned how to crash his walker into things (thank you, Georgia) and practiced walking.

And I swear you both grew.

Reaching

Playing In The Snow

Watching the Snow

We left Austin in the morning. It was 70 degrees. It was snowing when our plane touched down in KC mid-afternoon.

Lollipops

Longing

Conversations With Georgia

Daddy: Georgia, do you love me?
Georgia: No, my love Palmer.

Hoodie

Playing On The Stairs

Conversations With Georgia

Daddy: Georgia, is Dora your favorite.
Georgia: No, yellow my favorite.

Clearly you can only have one favorite. Of anything.

Just Want To Smother You With Butter And Eat You Up!