The Proposal

I'm playing catch up and since this happened before Christmas, it comes first! My little brother asked me to help with his engagement last Friday night and it really was a lot of fun to plan. I love doing things like this. It was only candles and firelight so getting the pictures was quite the experience without using a flash, but I think it turned out cute. He had me hide to get pictures of her reaction and it was a really sweet moment.

Pathway for her to follow from the street to the backyard.

Just some details.

Good thing her answer was "yes!"

Jackson was there to help me set up. He was very VERY intrigued by the fire. Lots of "ooooohs" and "aaaaahs". (Is anyone else sick of his GAP jacket yet? I might be... it's in almost every photo recently but those classic fleeces are just SO WARM and I have a very real fear of my baby being cold.)

Merry Christmas

Zoo Day

We went to the Phoenix Zoo with the Fuller's today (and got Season Passes, woohoo!) and Jack really REALLY enjoyed himself. Like would throw-fits-when-he needed-to-go-back-in-the-stroller enjoyed himself. I am so happy that I brought my camera. You know, the good one that isn't my iPhone? I've been really dependent on the iPhone lately. For pretty much all picture taking and it. has. to. stop. I mean it's ok for the candid moments but when I actually use my DSLR I get so much more excited to look at them afterward. Plus it was a perfect cloudy day. I kinda can't wait til Christmas.

They are just too cute.

The one picture I am in WAS taken with an iPhone. Stuart's. Blast.

Wes was so excited about every animal it was so darling. And he knew most of the sounds they make. Impressive.

Letter to Santa Claus

Dear Santa,

I just want things that I can find in the recycle bin. Maybe... a new toy car. But I'll like the wrapping paper better, so no hard feelings, ok?

Love,
Jackson

December So Far

Nothing super significant has happened lately but if you looked at the plethora of pictures on my phone, you would think otherwise. Here are some recent happenings:

Texting while driving.

Eating the entire Costco hot dog on our recent shopping trip.

We now have common cold induced asthma. At least we're hoping it's only when he has a respiratory ailment.

The next generation lawyer.

I finished the canvas for Jackson's room. Now I just have to hang it.

Deming, New Mexico/Thanksgiving Catch Up

Stories are best told with pictures and videos-here are the highlights of our most recent visit to New Mexico for Stuart's side of the family-Keeler Family Reunion.

Heading out. Naptime in the car. Emily's cute outfit. Pretty New Mexico sunset. Football-of course! Sarah and Grant. Fishing in the pond.

Hay field. Shooting guns-I know. Driving with Papa. Sweatshirt twins. He loved walking the hall of the hotel back and forth between our room and Papa/Nana's room. On the tractor. He LOVES Tractors.

Playground at the Farm. With his "nanny" (Britt I will still hire you.) So tired after family olympics. Riding a horse for the first time. HE LOVED IT. Yummy drinks at Tacos Mirasol. Watching Sesame Street/Backyardigans on the iPad on the drive home.

The top video is a family olympics event. Each family had to wrestle a calf down and "brand" it (marker). Stuart and Ryan were laughing so hard as they tried to get it down. The other video is Jackson on the bumpy farm road. Every time we hit the driveway leading up to the farm he would start to do this and it was so funny.

It was a fast and furious trip but it was worth it all the same. So much fun and we can't wait to go back for the next reunion :)

Thankful

You know when you're so busy you can't even think straight? That is what November has been like for me. But I am just loving all of my friends' "Thankful" posts and so here is a portion of my list (in no particular order-putting these in order seems ridiculous/stressful) it's amazing how once you get going listing what you are thankful for, you could just go on and on.

1. Stuart. There are not enough words for how much I am thankful for Stuart.
2. Jackson. Ditto number 1.
3. Dry Shampoo and Flower Bomb
4. Jack's little clothes-they are so cute and perfect
5. Reading time
6. Girls Nights
7. Date Nights
8. Netflix
9. Good Friends
10. Online Bill Pay
11. My Camera(s)-iPhone, Canon Point & Shoot, DSLR
12. Scarves. Infinity scarves.
13. Baby Laughs
14. When Jackson falls asleep in the car-rare occurrence-so precious!
15. Jackson telling me stories and babbling, the whole time thinking that I understand every word.
16. Music
17. My MacBookPro
18. AMAZING Family
19. Weekends
20. Shopping
21. Homemade bread
22. The Gym
23. Pinterest. And the time it sucks out of me.
24. My Faith
25. OPI Drying drops. Try them. Thank me later.
26. Essential Oils. (Thank you Jenna.)
27. My freezer
28. Browned Butter Hawaiian Cookies. (if you want this recipe tell me and I will send it to you, for some reason I can't find my link)
29. TV: Modern Family. Pan Am. Once Upon A Time. Desperate Housewives. Happy Endings. Grey's Anatomy.
30. J.Crew Perfect Fit T's and Hanes White V-Necks
31. My Family's health. So grateful for this one this year.
32. Baggu Grocery Shopping Bags. The best ever.
33. Clarisonic Mia.
34. Sitting on the couch with Stuart at the end of a long day.
35. Traveling
36. Willing grandparents to babysit
37. My job
38. Stuart almost being done with Law School
39. Cooking
40. Prayer 


Also, I am thankful that every time my baby wakes up in the morning or from a nap-these are the sweet sounds I hear. I'm just so thankful he wakes up happy.