farewell

It is time to say goodbye to this little bitty, tiny corner of the internets that I've called home for the last--gasp--seven years. What started off as a fun way to share my life on the left coast, turned into a baby book/therapeutic postpartum outlet and scrapbook for our family.

I've loved this space and every little thing I've recorded about my family and the boys (even my occasional over-sharing), but they're growing up and we aren't nearly as interesting just doing LIFE.

I'm actually in the process of transferring the contents of the blog over to a few volumes of over detailed baby books for the boys to look back on when they become parents. I hope they enjoy reading these posts, just as much as I have loved writing them.

So ONWARD and UPWARD, friends! Check us out over on my Instagram, where I will continue to over-share pictures of these two crazy boys.

2015

Happy 2015!

We are--hopefully--washing all the tears, fighting and naughtiness off of 2014 and ready for a fresh start. May yours be happy and healthy!

Christmas 2014

Merry Christmas from us Waelty's!
We had a lovely and overindulgent holiday. The boys had several events leading up to the big day, starting with a visit to Santa and their Holiday Performance at school.

Charlie asked for the Hungry, Hungry Hippo game. Mack asked for a christmas tree. SO yeah, that is not what either of them was set to receive...

...and all the bribery in the world wouldn't of gotten a better picture. You get what you get.

Mack singing Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Charlie singing Toyland and Up on the Rooftop

Mack and his cousin Emmett at their performance. 

On Christmas Eve, we went to a friends house for fabulous food and togetherness. The boys recieved a special phone call from Santa, reminding them to be good at bedtime. We also tracked Santa on the Google Santa Tracker. All of this was super exciting and quite fun to watch and be a part of, this excitement was probably my favorite part of the whole season.

We set out our milk and cookies and they/Mack still refused to take a picture together. SO, here they are separately in their festive pj's awaiting the jolly 'ole elf.

Christmas day was fun and celebratory. The boys opened their gifts, and they were thrilled! Even with the stress of Charlie's last minute switcharoo, all their wishes made it under the tree--or were the tree, in Mack's case. 

We spent the morning outside playing/running off the cinnamon rolls. And the afternoon eating with Nick's family. 

6 outta 8 ain't bad.

All in all, it was a fabulous holiday, but I'm always glad when it is over...

Christmas Cookies

We made our Christmas cookies today. Charlie was sooooo excited and could hardly wait for them to bake up in the oven. We were both licking the icing off our knives throughout the whole decorating process. I am currently nursing a bellyache, while Charlie is bouncing off the walls in his nap.

Want.Need.Wear.Read

I have been dreading writing this blog post. Why? Because my kids have a hundred wants and absolutely no needs. And because they complain/cry/argue/whine all the days long and it makes you want to team up with this mom in Utah.

But, on the contrary, our battles aren't really about "things" but about making good food choices. Anyone else fighting that struggle? Toys are easy to say no to, but processed food is everywhere it tastes SOOO much better than our organic/non-gmo turkey leftovers...

So, here we go for Christmas 2015!

Charlie
Want: Charlie has asked for "little legos with lego men with hats." He is still very much in love with his Duplos but thinks he's old enough for "little legos." I chose this set, because, duh, the hats.
Need: We love all the nice hand-me-downs we receive from friends, BUT he does have a few "church clothes" needs, so he'll be getting this and this. You know, do he doesn't look like a raggamuffin.
Wear: Underwear! I know, the worst.
Read: We've been reading the Magic Tree House books series and he loves the Jack and Annie adventures but I took a cue from this list and chose The Mouse and the Motorcycle and How to Train Your Dragon for him this year.

Mack
Want: Just like his big brother, Mack is pretty enamored with trains. We have one battery operated train (thanks, Sealocks!) but, you know, the fights... This engine seemed like an easy addition to our Brio collection without adding too much clutter.
Need: I am in no rush. I repeat. I am in no rush. BUT I will be prepared for when we transition Mack into a bed. He will get a sheet set and a pillow.
Wear: I must have gone on a buying binge when Charlie turned two, so Mack has all he needs in this department. BUT, he is going to get this coat, to grow into--don't tell my husband.
Read: These magnetic story books are great. We already have two others and Mack is really into them right now.

We'll continue with the bless a child project through a local church, and supporting our local schools through this awesome non-profit.

Cheers and Happy Holidays!!

Years past...

2013

2012

2011

Why?

It's beginning to look a lot like

CHRISTMAS!!

The Elf came to watch over the children...

Charlie is singing/humming/mixing up the lyrics of Christmas songs.

We visited Santa at the North Pole on the Polar Express.

...and PARADES! Small towns have a thing for parades--so we've been to two in a week.

fall photo round-up

Standford v. Utah Football Game

Cheesing

Children's Museum of Stockton

Thanksgiving Day