{snippets of winter from my iphone}

how fast the holiday season flies by. This year we had so much fun with the kiddos--they were so excited for christmas and all that comes with it.
my instagram {sharstinm}


We hit the lights early in december this year---because we have learned from years past-lights+freezing cold weather=no fun and fussy kiddos. Just the girls before heading to the lights. And Getting the christmas decor going...

a boxwood wreath steal from trader joe's and a couple of helpers for mailing out christmas cards--hopefully they all made it with the sort of stamp placement going on...


the tree......the kiddos decorated and undecorated many o times this winter...especically Nora.. and  a wee little sister tea party i happened upon (sweetest)

Getting my wrap on...one of my favorite things! and Z getting cozy and catching up on some reading...

The snow finally came a little bit before Christmas, and there was tons of it---caleb and z were sledding masters and made a maze in our front yard (still there) also just made their own sledding routes (the sidewalk in front of our house) Nora hardly likes to step in the snow--but is a good bystander

chapstick in hand is Nora's motto. Z and I on the night of her preschool christmas program. She sang her lil heart out and did so well.

winter running! the crazy sock run--so lucky to have such a group of great friends to log the miles in with

well....some big news! #4 is on the way! and it is a BOY! Long story short---it was a huge shock and surprise. We thought we were dunzo in the kid department.....but i guess this lil guy was meant to be. It took me a minute to adjust...i am actually pretty terrified of 4! but i know that once he is here--we will not be able to imagine our family without him. We were all hoping it would be a boy, even the kiddos. I must say i  am pretty excited for all the of the cute boy stuff and am all ready brainstorming on the nursery and some fun projects. We may even have a name.....Andrew is still on the fence--but i think i have more of a say. Nora and I--17 weeks along. i am currently 18 + weeks. 

i hosted our december  favorites book club soiree. I was such fun! everyone brought heir favorite treat/appetizer and we did a favorite gift exchange. Love hanging with my favorite gals!

the thank you's and banner

sadly the only picts i took...with my phone no less...and no people involved...to busy chatting, and scarfing down on all the goods! next time:)

these two......


Hit the town with some pals--Eva's and cheesecake factory--go big or go home! i could eat at Eva's everyday of the week....love these gals--do you like our evil eyes?

{a couple of projects}....we have been doing a lot of these lately! I wanted wainscoting in our entry and down the hall and Andrew got er done! and did such a great job--becoming quite the handy man. He just finished subway tile in our kitchen and i love it. I also found this gem of a side table at a thrift store--perfect for the girls room. The house is really coming along...i am just now headed to caleb's room and the nursery. I will share more soon.... and still trying to work on  my media shelves! they give me a headache.....

the kiddos all joining forces to make caleb's birthday cake--his request--cookies and creme

My kiddos have all had birthdays in the last few months! including this dude--turning 8 on me, can you even? not sure when or how that happened. He is going to be baptized in Feb. i am going to have to go into all their birthdays in another post---i might be getting carpal tunnel from this long post.. happy 2013 peeps.