New Year's Day

I didn't make it til midnight this last new year's eve. It was the first one since I was maybe nine.  That's a lot of new years' eves. And I didn't give a hoot. Which was very unlike me. Just too tired. Which, unfortunately, is very like me lately.

But, we did get to celebrate "East Coast New Year" at 9 pm with friends from church which was just as good, when one reaches a certain age.

Anywho, it was a fun evening, we got the kids to bed at a decentish time and we got a full nights' sleep.

Worth it.

And in the morning, I came downstairs to find...

my boys cuddled together on the couch, poring over their new brother book.

Over the "look how little you were" pictures.

And the silly faces we made pictures.

And the "I remember when we went there" pictures.

And the laughing together over the last few crazy face pictures.

And whatever it was he said that really meant, "You're sometimes pretty pesky, but I'm so glad to have you as my brother."

And his shooting his finger gun at his big brother which really meant, "I feel the same, bro."

And the silly faces that never end with this one.

Yes. I'll take all of it.

So anyway.

From all of us to you...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

(It's still newish enough, isn't it?)

The Boy

I went upstairs and found my boy in a quiet moment.

He was reading.

His not-so-little hand propped on his chin. His eyelashes. His shirt. His intent gaze on his book. I love everything about this picture of this boy.

He stopped reading and we started chatting. And that's when it hit me.

This boy is turning ten this year. Major gulp. I can't think about that too much just yet. But as he's getting older, I'm coming to the realization that his stories aren't really mine to tell anymore. I'm going to have to start running things by him to make sure he's okay with what I write about him. Not that he's ever minded the things I've written, but he's starting to have more of an opinion and asking me not to mention certain things. This is new territory we're navigating together.

But despite my many, many mistakes with him, he still tells me everything on his mind. Pretty much. And for that I thank the Lord. Truly.

And I love his expressions while he's telling me what's currently on his mind.

I love each of our kids more than I could ever put in to words, but sometimes, I so wish I could have parented them one at a time so that I could really just focus on each one and enjoy them as they are.  And I hate that I still sometimes get overwhelmed by them all together all at once. I feel like I miss these tiny precious moments with them far too often.

That barely there dimple in his cheek? Gets me every time.

His opinion on matters pertaining to persons of the opposite gender? He sticks with "non-opinion". I'm good with that.

But oh man. Trying to get through homework with him. All I can say is one or both of us might not make it this year.

Then he went back to reading.

He wanted to read a part to me that he thought was funny.

I love his sense of humor.

This is my boy.

And I love him so, so much.

The Boat Ride

We had bought a Groupon for a boat ride to see the decorated houses and boats in Newport Beach but we just couldn't fit it in before Christmas.  So, we went after.  And although we missed the decorated boat parade, we also missed the huge crowds and long, long lines.

So, still a win.

A nice guy offered to take a picture of all of us and even waited for a decorated house to appear behind us, so here we all are!

There was ample room for the kids to scamper all around the boat.  Except for this little guy who we were afraid was going to fall overboard.

With maybe a little help from Daddy.

Shrieks of scared delight and funny looks from strangers.  Sounds about right.

The Balboa ferry crossing.

And that wraps up our 2013.  Finally.  Thank You, Lord for the wonderful year it's been.

Now on to 2014!

The Aquarium

One last outing before Ah-ma and Uncle Richard had to leave.  To the aquarium!

The only one of our kids who isn't afraid of mascots.  Okay, maybe the older two aren't scared of them anymore, but they still couldn't be convinced to get in this picture.

This boy loves the touch pools.

Not so much to touch the sea creatures, but for the sheer fun of splashing around.

'Sup, fish?

This is about when Phil said he had a sudden craving for sushi.  He always gets a sudden sushi craving when we're at the aquarium.  Wonder why that is?

The jellies!

Truth be told, this picture and the one of above it are upside down.  The jellies were actually floating down, not up, but that seemed, well, upside down to me so I flipped it.  Don't jellyfish float up?  Why were all these guys headed down?  Burning questions and no answers.

These jellies too.  Swimming downward.

Mikey asked if we could take a selfie.  This is the best one can get with short arms.  And I think he's giving me bunny ears.  How does he even know what a selfie is, anyway?

Happy campers because Ah-ma bought them all souvenirs.

Sometimes you just want to do this when you have an ornery two-year-old in the house.