Running in Circles

- Height 33 inches (10%)

- Weight 25 pounds (25%)

- Still a mama's boy in every way

- obsessed with construction sites, dumb trucks, and dogs

- loves going to the library where he is really good at taking books off their shelves

- pretends to be a puppy and loves getting pat on the head

- the best eater except he still won't eat any meat

- loves sandwiches, salsa, yogurt, berries, smoothies, corn, beans, and cookies

- has learned about 50 signs

- only says "mama, dada, by-by, baby, Papa, book.

- loves cookies

-He's so bracve at the park- loves clibing and sliding. Doesn't like to be pushed in the swings for long.

- Do as I'm doing  and head shoulders, knees, and toes are his favorite songs.

- We converted his crib into a toddler bed and he's doing great. He's not so sure about sleeping on a pillow though.

- Still naps from 12:30-2:30/3:00ish.

- Is waking up between 6:15 and 6:4 everyday ready for breakfast.

- Makes a complete mess every bath

-He brings a lot of joy into our lives. Henry, is a busy boy who is often just watching and taking his surroundings in, but then he is the fastest little 2 year old on a scooter already. We sure love you bud! Now start talking, because I'm dying to hear your little voice.

:: hazel ::

1. wants to know why she isn't invited to the baby shower I'm hosting.

2.  told me after a long morning of errands- she just doesn't like shopping.

3. we hosted Mom School this week and Hazel loved having her friends over.

4. complains about the pink chapstick Santa got her (it's not the right pink) every time we go to Target.

5. finally counting correctly- 13,14,15 were tricky for her. She was skipping 14.

6. asks questions all day!

:: henry ::

1. acts like a puppy all day long. 

2. HA made up a sign for backhoe (digger). It's the first thing he does when anyone asks him any question. digger.

3. fell on the escalator and scraped up his nose.

4. Woke up from his nap yesterday, limping- the doctor said his hip joints are inflamed, probably from a viral infection two weeks ago.

5. has cried twice in the car because we didn't see any construction sites while driving.

6. After we put Hazel to bed we have about 15 minutes with just Henry and Brice and I just die at about everything he does. he is adorable!

:: hazel ::

1. starts ballet class today.

2. She is so excited about wearing a leotard and pointe shoes.

3. Last night, when tucking her in she had tears in her eyes and asked "what if I don't learn everything to do the performance?"

4. can write her full name now- but the "S" is always a little crazy.

5. we read through our library books so quickly. I usually check 10-12 out and we read them ten times each in 3 or 4 days.

6. She wants to go to school so bad. I wish preschools weren't so expensive, because I'd think about doing it.

7. Says she's STARVING hungry every hour.

:: henry ::

1. obsessed with construction equipment, tractors, and trucks.

2. a very nice foreman let Henry sit on an excavator yesterday in the Target parking lot. His face lit up.

3. I can't find shoes that stay on his feet. 

4. loves playing at the park now and can climb and slide and jump with the big kids.

5. sometimes he hits me and when I say that makes me sad he immediately gives me kisses.

6. turns TWO in two weeks!

7. We've been picking up more sign language since he's still not talking. He can sign: more, please, thank-you, father, mother, banana, yogurt, tree, table, doctor, water, drink, milk, cracker, cookie, all done, go to sleep, and dog.

8. Favorite songs are  head, shoulders, knees, and toes and do as I'm doing.

The last few weeks have just gotten away from me and I've missed writing in this little place. 

Our life has been consumed with lots of holiday cheer and a hefty side of awful sickness. Brice has Strep Throat for the second time this month. The kids had bouts of throwing up for three days straight and I hardly got any sleep. I've been dealing with a nagging case of plantar fasciitis for months that is finally feeling good again, just in time for some tendinitis and a blister so bad that I think I'm losing a toenail. Some runners see this as a rite of passage, but I prefer to keep all my toenails.

Don't worry, I think we're all on the mend. Things are getting better. Brice is on antibiotics and is ready to give elderberry syrup and my other tricks a try, maybe.

2016 was a good year for our little family. I took lots of cute pictures of our kids. I ran a marathon and registered for the Boston Marathon this coming April. Brice ran a half-marathon and has consistently been running still. Brice like his job, but I think we're starting to feel the need for a change. 

I got a job in the Spring, teaching a few group fitness classes and it was exactly what I needed for awhile. I'm taking a little break form teaching, well probably for a few months, but the job is there when I'm ready. 

We bought a second car and that has been such a relief! 

We have some of the best friends here in Dallas and really love our ward. We've stayed busy with some DIY's, park weather most of the year, playdates, and exploring the city.

We've had lots of visitors through the summer and fall and even spent Christmas break in California.

We found out the Hacketts are trying to adopt and pray for them every night! We can't wait to see what future children join their family. 

Lastly, we welcomed Doug and Lucinda home from their mission in Timor Liste. Just a few weeks after being home, my father in law was diagnosed with Lymphoma. We know he's strong and will fight and pray for him every night too. 

We are blessed. Life is not perfect, but we have a lot to be grateful for. 

 I'm ready for 2017! 

I've got goals to accomplish and personal growth I want to see. All in another post.

I'm not quite sure how a whole month got away from me- but it did! Let me try and back-track a little bit. 

1. Thanksgiving 

The Hacketts came to visit for Thanksgiving and we had such a good time with them. The kids loved having cousins to play with and show them all about the Lakes where we live.  We had BBQ brisket, chicken, and smoked turkey and then I made a few veggies and sides to complete our feast. 

We loved showing them around the city- Klyde Warren, the trolley downtown, White Rock Lake, the Allen Natatorium, and Central Market. That seems to be a favorite of all our visitors. They even took us to a Japanese dollar store called Daiso.

2. The Ortons come to visit

Some of our very best friends from Dallas moved to Irvine, CA this summer. They were in town for a quick work trip and I got to spend the day at lunch with girlfriends and window shopping at the mall together. It felt so good to pick up where we left. I miss Nikki and her twin babies a lot! We had Pizza with them for dinner and then said our goodbyes until Christmas.

3. A California Christmas

We are heading to California for Christmas this year with my family. I haven't been home in a long while so I'm excited! My parents have been working on a major renovation so I know they're excited to show off the progress at the house. I'm excited to see the tree decorated, walk down Gingerbread Lane, get Golden Spoon with my sisters, an run in the sunshine! 

Our month has been busy with family announcements, our family pictures, teaching Pilates, starting to job- hunt, church callings, and trying to keep runny noses wiped. I've been feeling a lot of things lately, and sometimes I just want to throw my hands up and say "this is too much- I'm not okay with the state of things" but then as I go to bed each night I cannot help but feel overwhelmed with gratitude. I'm surrounded by little people who love me and need me and a husband who is grateful for what I do all day.

We went to the Arboretum this week- I planned to stay for a couple of hours and get through several activities but we found ourselves in one little garden and we never moved on. The kids have played in here before but we usually move along after a few minutes and before things get too dirty (there's sand and water which is really just a messy combination, right!?)

Hazel and Henry both played in the sand for almost an hour and yes they were filthy but totally engaged in it. 

Then Henry moved over to the water feature and my first thought was that I didn't bring a towel or other clothes so he shouldn't play. But then he ran through that water and his face lit up. I said whatever and watched him soak himself head to toe. He was alive and playing and loved all of it. 

Sure we had to undress and ride home in only a diaper and sure we didn't move on to other fun parts of the Children's Garden but I was content just watching them both play. I realized I probably hurry ourselves through activities just a little too quickly. That was a great morning.