Happy New Year and The Start of Our 2014

We aren't big on New Years celebrations, but I was excited about Garrett's time off and time we could spend as a family. We got a few hats and some LOUD noise maker toys, but that was the extent of our New Years festivities. Maybe when they are teenagers we will go out. lol. 
We are excited to see what 2014 will bring to our family of 4. I'm sure lots of new adventures will come our way and I'm ready to do them as a family. So far it's been pretty great. The weather has kept us home bound and cooped up for awhile, but we have been taking advantage of all the fun things we (the kids) got for Christmas and have been entertaining ourselves. School has started back and I'm sure the weather will warm up soon so we can get back out to our fun little activities. Bring it, 2014, Let's see what you got!

Took a little zoo trip during Garrett's time off. The zoo never gets old for us and we have been a lot this year.

New Year's eve we took the kids to the park.

Oakley loved the fresh air and being warm in daddy's jacket.

I promise they thought their New Year's "getup" was fun. Ha

This is my hope for 2014. Lot's of sweet sibling memories like this one. Playing so sweetly together. One discovering things for the first time and one stepping into the proud role of big sister showing him the ropes.

A Merry Christmas!

It seemed like there was so much build up to Christmas and then it came and went in a flash. This year was so much fun because Harlen was pretty into all the different things and traditions. We baked cookies, had her school Christmas party, decorated her tree, found Eddy (her Elf on the Shelf) every morning, read Christmas books, drove around to look at Christmas lights (even after Christmas), saw a couple Christmas puppet shows, saw a Christmas play, wrote a letter to Santa, saw Santa multiple times, put out reindeer food, and so much more. Whew. Christmas with kids is joyful, but oh so exhausting. 

Tree lighting fun. Definitely making this a yearly tradition. We went last year and this year and both times she had the best time.

School Christmas party and obvious sugar overload.

Bowling right before Christmas. She had so much pent up excitement and energy.

Santa came!

The #1 thing she asked Santa for was a silver bell from his sleigh, just like in The Polar Express. This was one happy girl when she opened it and then shook it to hear that it did, in fact, ring. It's the little things. :)

The sweetest sight on Christmas was seeing these two play together. She wanted to show him how his new toys and car worked.

Test driving her new bike!

At first she wasn't sure. (Even though shes the one who asked Santa for a pink bike) but she's getting the hang of it now.

Oakley- 5 Months

Happy 5 Months!

At 5 months old...
- you are sitting up with no assistance and have been for a couple weeks. You love to sit up and play with sister now... and steal her toys away that are within your reach.
- you "talk" more
- you grab for food all the time. If someone is eating near you or has a cup, it is your mission to try and swipe it from them.
- you are getting good about scooting backwards when you want to "be on the move". Sometimes you want to go forwards, but go backwards instead. We are working on going forwards.
- you have gotten so much better about your car seat and car rides.
- you have a love for baby dolls. Probably just because they are around you often.
- you still love to be in the Maya wrap.
- Harlen makes you laugh the hardest. Sometimes we are about to tell her to be quiet or get out of your face and then we hear your laugh and we all start laughing.
- you are really good at telling us when you are tired because you have the eye rubbing down pat.
- you have started to lean in for kisses and hugs. If you just realized that I'm next to you, you will lean over to me like you want a hug. :)
- in size 5 diaper, 12-18 month clothes, I would guess 24 pounds 
- take about 4 naps a day
- have not started solids
- wake up once or twice a night, but you have to be touching me all night long.

I know I say this a lot, but you are just the happiest baby. You are content to sit with a toy, you smile at everyone, and are so easy going. We just love your guts, Oakley Bradford Phemister.

Love your leg rolls!!