a little fresh air

just returned home from our first neighborhood walk as a family of four.

it felt so good to get some fresh air!
and these temperatures are amazing for the end of december.
right now our thermometer is reading 58 outside.
there is a little wind, but the sun is shining and it is
BEAUTIFUL!

we are enjoying our time at home and i am working to get ready for a new year.
i usually leave Christmas decorations up until after New Year's,
but this year i am feeling like i need a clean start for 2012.
(i should also take advantage of having jake at home for the next several days while i pack it all away!
so much easier with an extra set of hands these days.)

i have lots of wonderful memories from 2011,
but can't help looking ahead to 2012 with some new dreams and goals.

one month

hello all!
we're still relaxing and enjoying the holidays here at home,
but thought i'd post a few pictures of miss julia's one month photo shoot (at home, by mom).

and can't forget big brother...

hope you are still enjoying the season!

ps - take a look at the best concert post again, i got the video uploaded!
and that cute headband - a gift for julia from our friend megan.  love it!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

 

the best concert

back in our days of two incomes, no kids and living in a big city jake and went to quite a lot of concerts -
we love music!
especially a live concert at a great venue.

but theses days our live music scene is shaping up to be a little different -
no ticket charges (just bring some cookies)
second row seats (because you are a a parent)
intimate venue (local church)
personal connection with the performer (our son!)
this was by far THE BEST CONCERT we have attended.

and how is already december 23rd?
someone is already one month old today...
and needs her picture taken.

a little Christmas magic

saturday we headed here with ben while julia spent the evening with nanna.
it was really crowded this year, but it was still amazing.

dear santa

Christmas is a very exciting time for us this year.
with a newborn and a three year old we were lucky to get our tree -
and get it decorated over the course of an entire week.
but somehow we also managed to find a little time to type (ben preferred to use the computer)
a letter to santa.

we'll be spending our week at home -
more getting ready for Christmas, trying to keep up with laundry and dishes,
and doing our best to care for big brother and baby sister.

and how could i not share just a few more baby pics???

hope your week is off to a good start!

we celebrated today with a 32nd birthday...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAKE!

you are the most wonderful father and husband.

we love you - kristin, ben and julia

1 Corinthians 15:51

We shall not all sleep,

but we shall all be changed.

my mom sent us a card with this as the "patron verse of parenthood".

so perfect!

hope you have a wonderful weekend.

back to work

today was jake's first day going back to work after staying at home to help with the arrival of julia.
except for a late start - it was really a pretty good day.
and though we are all a little tired around here,
i am feeling very content and my heart is full with love for our growing family.
(i'm sure the Christmas season is making me a little extra sentimental too!)

i thought i would post a couple of pictures of jake and ben from last week.
they made a list of projects they wanted to accomplish while jake was home,
and most of them have been crossed off.
it was really good for ben to have some "guy time".

#4 - repairing and hanging the bird  feeder

how i love them both so much!
and did i mention ben grew at least six inches and packed on a couple of pounds while i was in the hospital?
can't believe how different he seems lately -
growing-up way too fast!