December 30

We got to see Matt, Sara, Janey and Naomi today. We are so blessed to see our friends - even for such a short time. We all make the effort and words can't express how much their friendships mean to me. Even if we don't talk for months at a time, we pick up right where we left off. I can only hope that Hannah and Austin develop friendships like these one day. P

December 29

As promised, the kids played hard today. They rode the tractor, rode the go kart, played all the arcade games in the basement, watched tv, and basically had an all around awesome day. They ended the day back at Mimi and Papa's house for dinner with Great Mimi. Whew - they must be worn out by now!!

December 28

The kids spent all day at Grandpa's playing with all of their new toys and celebrating with him. They are having a sleepover and dreaming of more tractor rides tomorrow.

December 27

Another awesome day with my family! We spent the morning with uncle Greg and then met up with Kier for lunch. Then it was back to Mimi and Papa's for more playing with all their new toys. Then they got another Christmas at great Mimi's house!! The kids are having a blast and are looking forward to seeing daddy tomorrow at Grandpa's. And yes - another Christmas will be celebrated there too!

December 26

We caught a ride in with Anne to Daleville and surprised Mimi tonight. She was in the kitchen when we came running up the steps bellowing "Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells!" She was so surprised and so thrilled we arrived a few days early. Greg and Kier came over shortly after we for there and we spent the entire evening with them just playing and having a blast. It was another perfect day.

December 25

The kids had an amazing Christmas!! They got a lot of what was on their Christmas list and a ton more! We had a great day as a family - breaking into all the new toys and playing all day long. We ended the day with dinner and presents at the Thomas house. It was a wonderful day.

December 24

It's just us for Christmas this year and we were fortunate enough to be invited to Ben and Maria's for Christmas Eve dinner. We had our tradition of fondue through! Hannah wouldn't let us miss that for the world. It was a quiet and family filled day around here. I loved every second of it!

December 23

The kids went to see Santa today! They were so excited (and a little shy) when they got up on his lap. But they both used their manners and were so proud of it too!

December 22

We hired an architect! It's officially - the plans for the house are officially underway!

December 21

Austin had his first sleepover tonight. He and Owen had a blast... So much so that I am pretty sure they wore each other out!

December 20

Austin told me he didn't have any dreams last night. And he said that was good because he didn't have any bad dreams. Then he told me the reason he doesn't have any bad dreams anymore is because he prayed to God to take the bad dreams away.

December 19

Tonight Hannah climbed into bed with me at bedtime. We snuggled, we chatted, we giggled, we loved every second of it. There is something so peaceful about falling asleep with her safe and sound next to me.

December 18

Today, austin was laying on one couch and i was on the other one. He looked at me, hopped down, came over and gave me a huge bear hug and ran back to his couch as quickly as he jumped off. Just a little love for momma, I guess.

December 17

We made Christmas cookies from scratch tonight. It was a huge undertaking and we all conquered it! Love making these memoirs with my sweet babies.

December 16

Look who lost another front tooth!

December 15

Austin's preschool teacher texted me this pic today. She loved his shirt that he wore the other day :)

December 14

We had a sleepover tonight at the E building, as Hannah calls it, for Morgan's birthday (it's also know as the Embassy Suites hotel) Hannah claims it was the best birthday party ever. I love that I was there to see Hannah interact with everyone. She is growing up so fast!

December 13

Our elves (Max and Lucy) are here for the season. Today we work up to find that they had climbed up high to write a Christmas countdown on our mirror!

December 12

Apparently letting Hannah write on the window with dry erase markers makes her much more enthusiastic about doing her homework!!!

December 11

We celebrated Morgan's birthday tonight. I love how much Hannah and Mo love each other! They are such a special part of each other's lives.

December 10

Austin and I took a quick walk around the neighborhood today. He brought his camera and took pictures of all kinds of things along our journey. Maybe he will be a photographer like his momma!

December 9

Hannah had her youth club Christmas program tonight. She has such a good time there with her buddies every week. And of course her Aunt Jill had to get a ok tire with her girls! Love them!

December 8

We decorated the tree tonight and put up the train. Grandpa and Mimi were both here for the holiday festivities!!

December 7

Mimi has been here all week and I just had to capture this moment. We had some errands to run after school with three four year old boys. She handled it like the professional Mimi that she is!

December 6

The elves came today! They are here and the kids are thrilled. To see Christmas through their eyes may just be one of the coolest things about being a parent. I love their innocence and their excitement over the little things.

December 5

"Mom - when are we gonna put up our foot lamp?" Austin says to me today.

"Um, do you mean "leg lamp, buddy?"

"Yea! Leg lamp! Leg lamp!!

December 4

I love how they play together. Give them a bouncy ball and a ribbon and everyone's happy.

December 3

Austin asked to ride his bike without training wheels today. Hannah and I jumped at the chance to help him! (Mike was at the lot today cutting down more trees). I love that Hannah wanted to help teach her brother!

December 2

We went to our lot today and spent some time marking off where the house is going to be. The kids played for HOURS and had a blast! It's amazing how much they can explore, play in the dirt and run around and never get bored.

December 1

We ran a 5k this morning! It was Morgan's Girl on the Run 5k and we joined her. The girls did great!! It was their second 5k in nine days!

November 30

He spends about an hour a day going through the Toys R Us flyer that came in the mail and copying down the items he wants. He is so ready for Christmas!

November 29

It's already started.... Their constant questions about Christmas, makin lists and asking when we can decorate! They are soooooo excited!

November 27

"Look, Hannah!! This is my Black Friday Chair!" The back story on this one began last year on Black Friday when we were at Mimi and Papa's house and were talking about all the Black Friday deals and explaining to Hannah how crazy shoppers can get for a good deal. She asked Mimi where she was shopping for Black Friday and Mimi quickly replied that she wasn't going anywhere for Black Friday and that she was going to stay nice and cozy in her chair. The rest of the day, the kids referred to Mimi's recliner as the Black Friday Chair. It kinda stuck throughout the year and apparently so much so that Austin has now claimed his own Black Friday Chair!!

November 26

Hannah was rocking her handstand at gymnastics today!!

November 28

"Wisher whoppers." Austin's way of saying windshield wipers. Love him!

November 25

Annual Johnson-Thomas trip to VT. Lunch at Backstreets, sight-seeing {took our babies to the duck pond!} and a fun-filled football game on the drill field. What an awesome day!!

November 24

Had family pics taken today!! It was cold..... But we toughed it out and hopefully will have some awesome pics to remember this time in our lives forever!! So glad that my grandma was there and healthy enough to be a part of it!

November 23

Today we celebrated Thanksgiving with Greg and Kier at mom and dad's house. Great Mimi was there and Jim joined us too. It was the best meal that Papa has ever cooked and it was topped off by seeing my kids playing with Greg and Kier. Truly made my day even more perfect.

November 22

Happy Thanksgiving! We have so much to be thankful for. Each and every post this year was meant to be a reminder of all the amazing blessings in my life. Today I am especially grateful for a wonderful lunch with my grandma and parents at The Glebe. I am so happy she is healthy and happy where she is. She is an amazing woman and we are truly better for having her in our lives.

November 21

Do you think they like books??? We had to put a limit in Hannah! She even has her own library card now!

November 20

This is what Mimi does. She plays with my babies.

November 19

These are still up on our wall. We were welcome home with them from the half marathon trip. I particularly love how Hannah wanted to remind me that she used a piece of paper under the sharpie. Guess they do listen, huh?

November 18

I am so grateful for my relationship with my mom. Tonight we played "Word with Friends," which is a board game like scrabble and we laughed so hard, my stomach actually hurt. It never fails, we ALWAYS have fun together.

November 17

Grandpa is here! And the kids are so excited about staying with him in the trailer. They even drew airstream masterpieces!

November 16

Today I am grateful for crossfit. I was pushed today out of my comfort zone and I actually did great. I even got to work out with Mike. I am so happy that we are showing our kids that exercise is so important.

November 15

Today was Austin's Thanksgiving day feast at his school. Mimi was able to join us. So much to be thankful for!

November 14

Mimi is here and we spent the morning shopping, laughing and having a great time together. So glad my mom is willing to spend so much time with us!

November 13

Got our new Ford Explorer today! I think Hannah said it best with "On a scale of 1-10, this is definitely a 10!"

November 12

Hate to say goodbye to the OBX today. But so incredibly grateful for the experience.

November 11

Mike ran his first half marathon today and did it in 1:44.58. That out him in the top 8% of all runners in the race. I am so proud of him!

We had a great trip with great friends. Wish it didn't have to end so soon.

November 10

We have had a great day traveling to the OBX with Ben and Maria for their half marathon tomorrow. So proud of Mike for going on this journey. What a fabulous example he is setting for our kids!

November 9

We bought a new car today!! It's a first for me and Mike together ... And a first for Mike ever! We are the proud owners of a 2013 Ford Explorer. So grateful for my husband being willing to buy me the vehicle I want.

November 8

Taking the kids to meet Mimi and Papa tonight. Four nights away from them seemed like a good idea at the time... But I am really gonna miss them!

November 7

We made posters for daddy to run in his big race. The kids can't be there but they will definitely be there in spirit! Good luck, daddy!!

November 6

I took the kids with me today to vote for the president. They both voted for Barack Obama in the student election and were thrilled when they learned that he won again. Glad I could share in this process with them. They are learning so much each and every day.

November 5

Today the kids and I were watching Ellen and she had on a child prodigy piano player who was only 6 yrs old. I asked Hannah if she could okay like that and she said "Umm... No!" And Austin shouted clear across the room "I can!!!!" Man, I love that kid. I can't wait to see all that they both accomplish one day!

November 4

I am grateful for photography and the opportunity to create beautiful images of families.

November 3

Last day of fall soccer. Have no fear, we will start back up again in a few weeks.

November 2

It's a beautiful fall day and we are going to meet up with Paige and PJ at the park after school. I love our city, our weather, our friends. I love this time of year!

November 1

Austin woke up this morning, came downstairs and immediately started tearing up. "I don't want trick or treating to be over!" I think he had a good time last night!!

October 30

This is what I woke up next to this morning.  Bella and Hannah somehow made it into our bed last night.  She LOVES this dog.  Can't sleep without it.  Reagan took her to Build-a-Bear a few years ago and got it for her.  Needless to say, Bella has been a part of our lives (and our beds) for awhile now!

October 31

I want to suck your bloooooodddd!  We had a blast with the Thomas family and the Crawford family tonight.  Happy Halloween!