insta dump

:: finn thinks he is a big boy now. it is hilarious.

:: our neighbors decorate their christmas tree every year. and each night some of the ornaments fall off with the wind and so they patiently re-decorate it each day. i love that.

:: cuties are back. my man and i can't get enough.
:: my work space sure has changed a lot in the last year. it is so much messier. crowded. loud. and fun. mostly fun.

:: daddy and his mini-me


:: first christmas movie of the season. my favorite part of the movie is cousin eddie. that guy and his wardrobe lead to fits of my crazy laugh. you know the one.

:: christy and i, and the babies, headed down to vacaville to visit sara.

:: we have dined over many a chips and salsa in our day, but never with babes. its a new kind of fiesta.

:: it isn't mexican without a little tequila. just a scosche.

:: these boys were made for roadtrips. such troupers they were. and dylan generously loaned finn his hand to chew on. which happens to be finn's new favorite thing. every.thing.goes.straight.to.the.mouth.

:: finn got a new hat.

:: i may love christmas vacation a lot. but home alone will always be number one. ryan and i love to see who can quote more of it. and we are pretty evenly matched. reason number 561 of why i said "yes".

:: re-reading laura ingalls wilder. each volume is so gripping-the same page-turners they were when i read them for the first time as a little girl. and i always felt like "pa" was my dad, from another life or something. turns out, i still think that.

:: the tantes came up for a visit. they turned an ordinary sunday into a sunday funday. finn was just as tickled as i was. we were out on a walk and from down the street, we saw them parked in front of the house. we all ran a block to meet each other, laughing. what a sight we must have been. i wish i had it on video.

:: three sisters at starbucks.

:: and to all a good night.

****

p.s. if you are wondering why there is a plethora of iphone pics as of late it is because my trusty camera was stolen. i made the horrible mistake of leaving it in a car...and just like that, it was gone. first, i felt heartbreak. then, i felt sickening regret. and then i was ok. of course, still regretful: it was after all a big gift from my ryan and i was careless. that black beauty was like my right arm, almost always with me, but if there is one thing motherhood has taught me its to never mourn that which is replaceable. and my camera, although beloved, was just that - replaceable. and i am sooooo very thankful that i didn't lose any precious baby pics and videos. that i would have a hard time stomaching. it's a hard lesson to learn, it still stings and i still find myself reaching for it, but at the end of the day, all is well. and that, i remind myself, you can't buy.