A new do!

My hair has been the longest it's been in a long time...at least I haven't had it cut short in the past 2 years.  But, something needed to be done.  My hair was long and there was lots of it.  I am afraid to admit 99% of the time it was in a ponytail. I felt as though I needed a "ponytail intervention." Rather than the drama of an intervention, I got a haircut.  A friend in our small group is a hairstylist so I decided to trust this mop of hair in her hands.  I think the result is pretty fabulous.  Plus, she texturized the daylights out of it so it feels 5 pounds lighter. I have had my hair similar to this in the past and I have really liked it.

Here's the before pic on my way out the door...

Here's the after pic...

From the back

Now, I have to go...I have some ponytail holders to go burn.

What did you do this Christmas?

Glad that you asked!!  Let's see.  We...

...opened some presents...

Before

During (snow globes from Grandma E)

After

...drove to California...

...went to the San Diego Zoo with the aunties and uncle...

Auntie Rachel was taking the picture (Dan and I were at home with Simon recovering from the trip)

...made (or, attempted to make) ornaments with Auntie Rachel...

...ate some In-n-Out (of course!)...

...did some swimming...

...did some hiking...

...played the Wii...

Oh yeah, we rocked Just Dance 3!

...stopped by the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center...

...spent a night out on the town...

...saw some sweet friends...

...considered trading in the minivan (San Diego Auto Show)...

...went to the beach...

...involuntarily went swimming again...

...just spent time with our family.

Hope your Christmas was as Merry as ours was!

Birthday Boy!

Happy New Year!! Thought I would quick get that in before I have to start saying "Happy Valentine's Day!" Phew, the new year has already started and I haven't said anything about what we did this Christmas.  Maybe because I am still in denial that we drove just over a total of 50 hours with 4 kids in a loaded down minivan.  (Have I said before that I LOVE my minivan?!).  Every minute in California with my family was worth every minute in that van!

I will have to get back to Christmas later.  Because something kinda big happened yesterday.  My littlest man, the sweet caboose to our train, our little "Simes" turned one year old!!  What?!? How did that happen?! Yeah, I know, it's unreal to me too!

No, we didn't have a party for him yesterday. Rather, we took advantage of being in California and celebrated a little bit early with my family.

He wasn't a huge fan of the hats, the people gathered so closely to him, or Chase "singing" along with the crowd. All was forgotten when the cake came out!

Of course, we needed to have more cake on his actual birthday.  What can I say? I am a sucker for any excuse to eat cake!

We thought that this gift would help him keep up with his brother and sisters.  Even though it takes all of the self control that Landon has not to take it away from his little brother.

He's not walking yet, but he is still finding ways of getting around.

Also, I am not sure why we call this guy "little man." Because he is far from little!!

Here are his "stats" from his 12 month check up today:

Height-31.5 in (95%)

Length-25 lb. 8 oz. (85%)

A big Happy Birthday to our big boy. :) You are quick to smile and always on the go.  Your little size doesn't stop you when everyone else is wrestling...you get right in there with them. You love playing with balls and "reading" to yourself.  We love you so much and you add so much to our family!!