JANUARY
2016 started with me calling home the day after Christmas SUPER homesick and asking to come home (just like when I was a kid during a sleep-over ;) So Ben and me (minus Tom-Tom :( went and had fun in beautiful, clean, refreshing, cleansing, awesome Oregon!
"Cos I'm a seagull," -Flight of the Conchords
Gettin' some chowder from Moe's
Snuggling with his favorite person
Visiting and teasing uncle Rex whom he learned his teasing skills
Trip to Waves & Wings with the cousins. Super expensive, super fun, and the kids were exhausted in the best way; thank you mom & dad!
Ben got uncle Brian's old costume grandma made 30 years ago. Fit perfect.
Making some kind of cookies or coal with aunt Lacey
Playing & mending
FEBRUARY
I waited too long to try to take off my ring. We tried EVERY youtube "trick" but they only work when you still have a little wiggle room...I did not. Lesson learned.
Celebrating our Valentine (each other AND food)
In Texas, you plant your garden in February. Also in Texas NOTHING grows except herbs and shrubs- two years in a row every cared-for-better-than-my-kids-vegetable and fruit did not produce anything edible so I vowed I'm only planting what grows: Mint, Basil, Trees. Lesson learned.
After almost 7 years since graduating I finally picked up my art supplies and painted. This was me trying watercolor for the first time. I titled it: Home.
My sister in law Cassi threw me a perfect baby shower! What makes a bay shower perfect? NO games. No trivia. No prizes. Just food and conversation! LOVED IT!
Gettin' some fillin's like it ain't no thang
Ben's version of Elf on the Shelf
MARCH
The many
positions Ben
finds relaxing.
Ben and Dad went camping with the Myerhoff's. Mom stayed home close to plumbing and mattress.
Tom's version of relaxing.
Easter Candy Crash
So pregnant and enjoying the warm downpour with my Benny-Boop
APRIL
I titled this one: Uninhibited naked boy waving goodbye to dad
Chicken-Cheese Enchiladas
Nothing like Costco
Last outing as a family of three!
Grandma's here to take care of us!
He's here!
Super Excited and Proud Big Brother
Double Proud Daddy
Telling grandma ALL about it
NY pizza made by awesome NY native
MAY
Family Outing to the Dallas Temple
Fort Worth Stock Yards
We decided to find Oswald's tombstone. People leave money...interesting.
Month old Linc
Traffic is easier when you're a week off for Memorial Day
JUNE
More rain enjoyment
Pool time
Pool time
Adorable
Unsure but still adorable
JULY
Oh Dad..
Fourth of July
Lincoln's blessing
Helping mom do chores
July 18th: Car got broken in to and my purse with EVERYTHING stolen. Don't EVER leave your purse in your car even if you think you've hidden it.
To add injury to insult, while waiting 2 hours for the police to NOT EVER arrive Ben was plowed down by a teen on a bike who just got right back on his bike and kept going without apologizing. Needless to say we have not been back to that park. Lesson Learned BIG time!
Brother tummy time
Brother play time
Brother swing time
Tuckered out
AUGUST
"It's too hot, too hot, too hot baby."
Dad dropping us off at DFW going to PDX
Helping with yard work is a must in the White House
Visit from Bek and her kidlets!
Family trip to the beach!
Lacey took us to a Sushi Hana wannabe. I promised Ben we'd get him McDonald's afterwards but...
HE ATE IT UP LIKE A CLARK!
Grandpa love
Horsey Bites
Horsey Ride
Last summer supper. Goodbye family, friends, temperate weather, fresh air, CLEAN air, best tasting water, cheese EVERYTHING!
Right before boarding the flight home. "Ben! Hold your brother I HAVE to go the bathroom!"
BEST. FLIGHT. WE'VE. EVER. HAD.
Let's go be with Daddy again!
SEPTEMBER
Back with Daddy!
Boys' favorite past time.
Football game with dad
!!!Preschool!!!
First wasp bite. First Benadryl.
First birthday party with friends! (Batman themed if it wasn't obvious)
FOOOOOOD
Hangin' with cousin Colton
I'm not the only one who puts their foot in their mouth all the time. eek
Trying to capture Tom without him noticing. He did.
LOVE
OCTOBER
We were given admission tickets for the Texas State Fair. After paying for parking, ONE ride and a pop sickle it still cost $50. I don't know how anyone affords to go(?) We lasted about two hours and left hungry and sweaty.
Ben's favorite part? Enjoying the FREE water fountain! Go-Fig
One of those moments where your kids are being adorable and I quickly grab my phone and plead, "DON'T MOVE!"
It's so much fun when Grandma comes!!!
3rd times the charm for trying to ride the miniature train during grandma's visits. Super fun!
Date Night! A very surprising, quick Flight of the Conchord's concert xo
Linc wearing the same costume I wore made by Grandma Carla
NOVEMBER
Tom celebrated his 5th year with Apple
Tom went to Oklahoma for a week for work and brought back gifts of plenty!
Lovin' that costco pizza crust
Thanksgiving morning football for Tom, walking for mom
Happy Thanksgiving
Sitting down for the BEST meal of the whole year talking about being pretty heavily disliked/hated by not so subtle media, family and friends because of the election results.
Turkey tasted EXTRA juicy because we were NOT with "HER" (Ya I went there).
Going to town on momma's rolls
The rain is a little chilly now but baby doesn't seem to mind =)
DECEMBER
I don't do crafts. However, I got super stressed out and spent an entire day stress-crafting. I even ran out of green craft paper so I used a marker and MADE green paper. Unfortunately it was super windy the next two days and everything was completely destroyed within 48 hours.
My kids in awe of the Christmas Spirit
Lacey came
for my
BIRTHDAY
Cassi took us out for Whataburger after we went to a giant book warehouse! It was so much fun!!! Here is Ben so happy he gets to sit between two babies as he continuously tells me he wants, "159 more babies!" Ummm okay...
Workin' on the car with Dad
Outdoor Christmas Live Nativity and Festival!
Hot coco, kettle popcorn, bounce houses, etc.
pony rides
Hey ride
Ben insisting on holding baby Colton =) We get it, you want more babies...
Oh look we already have a baby!
byebye aunt Lacey
Christmas Eve with Grandma Clark
Boy airplanes
UPDATE ON GETTING OUT OF DEBT
End of 2012
End of 2013
End of 2014
End of 2015
End of 2016
Needless to say 2016 was rough financially, SUPER ROUGH. It was our first full year without me working and Tom striving toward higher management while still attending college one course at a time. We have VERY high hopes for 2017 financially. As always, Just KEEP Swimming (and praying)!
