13 months // a couple sentences

Knows what he needs and is completely content until those needs aren't met...namely in the food department.  Spends 3 hours a day sitting in his high chair.  Eats SO much.  Above is his face as Jose reloads his spoon.  

(Yes that is my man and he still has a six pack 30 years deep with 3 babies)

Ellie continues to be a silly, smiling, happy WALKING little blessing.  She generally does not get her way between James and Reagan getting up in her biz...and she's fine with it.  

elle & james // first birthday

Things I have heard too many times...."The first year is a fog."  "You won't remember anything."  "You'll never go anywhere."  "You won't sleep at all."  

I beg to differ.  I slept, I went places, and I can tell you one thing for sure, I will never forget this year.  The sweet, the hard, the crazy.  I'll remember.

We celebrated with deep fried French fries, homemade malts and people that love our twins!  Still amazed at and thankful for this year, my three kids, my hot husband and God's grace.  To HIM be the glory!  

one year old/mama selfies.

our heartbreakers are 1.

photos by my favorite, Emily V.

elle goes flying.

Traveling with one child is almost as enjoyable as traveling alone or with other adults.  Elle likes people watching and airports as much as I do.  She charmed every person within 4 rows of us and even convinced a man to give her his glasses.  She was a blessing and a comfort to me (all of my friends) during the hardest trip I have ever had to take.  Y'all with one year olds better have a munchie mug or go buy one (amazon).

the perfect winter dinner // pasta fagioli

One of the best things about winter is that I can make soup multiple times a week.  It's easy, convenient for leftovers and delicious.  My husband requests this dish often and Reagan and I love it as well.  This is the kickoff of a recipe collaboration with my sweet friend, Jess.  We hung out in my kitchen and made this soup together while our 5 littles napped and then each served it for dinner.  What a fun way to make a meal.  We hope to keep up our nap cooking dates and will keep sharing them with you.

recipe courtesy of Teri Erhardt 

winter walk.

Last week my little crew didn't leave the house from Sunday at 4 until Thursday at 5.  We drank tons of hot cocoa, fully embraced our cozy pjs and read a lot of books.   If you mamas make it seem fun, they will have fun.  If you choose joy, the littles will follow.  I think our house arrest was good for big Jim because he finally made his first move.  Two crawlers for us now!  Sunday was gorgeous (around 40) so we ventured out on our first walk of 2014.