ONE

this blogging thing isn't really working so well. Its not every day your baby turns one, so I have to document it!

This year has been one of the best and hardest years of my life! I had no idea the difficulties motherhood would bring,  but even more than that I never knew what absolute joy I'd experience in raising this sweet boy. He's wild and crazy and more "true boy" than I could i ever magine. Life without him would be just plain boring. He keeps us on our toes at all seconds of the day & we wouldn't have it any other way!

Happiest birthday Lennon Paul!! So glad you're ours. 

Holidays

Every day life with a baby is SO much fun, but the excitement for holidays is tenfold!!! I'm a crazy obsessed holiday person and go way over the top to decorate & celebrate, but I never ever thought they'd be THIS good.

^Halloween 2014

^Thanksgiving 2014

^Christmas 2014

Lotoja

Brade spent a good 6 months avidly training for lotoja. His strength and determination completely amaze me! He trained his bum off and still managed to spend time with us, work full time and juggle 12 college credits. I don't praise him nearly enough. He's incredible. And the best part... he does it without any complaints!

I had been debating about going with him to his race. I had never left Lennon, and with strictly nursing I was so anxious. My cute mom kindly offered to keep lennon and pushed me to go. I am SO glad she did. It was so fun to be there & enjoy time alone!

He was so nervous & ready to go

The race started way before sunrise. Much too early for me! 

1st transition

the scenery was absolutely gorgeous the whole way! 

 "pure relief that the dumb thing was finally over" 

It was such an amazing thing to wait at the finish line and see all the racers cross, especially my cute husband! They were pretty excited to finish quicker than their goal! 
I really hope this won't be his first & last time! 

freezing time.

WHERE IN THE WORLD HAS THE LAST 6 MONTHS GONE?!
Honestly, it's like I blinked and my baby is 1/2 a year old. I wish I could freeze time right here, right now. It's hard seeing him get big so quick, but also the greatest thing ever! He learns new things daily and boy is his personality coming out. He cracks us up. He's quite the giggle boy and smiles non stop. his new favorite things to do are blow his nose and click his tongue like a horsey.  He has has two bottom teeth and thinks it's fabulous to bite anything in sight. He LOVES to jump and being outside is his thing!
Being his mom is more amazing, exhausting, exciting, rewarding and wonderful than I ever imagined. I no longer dread Mondays, I actually look forward to another week with my little boyfriend. Oh, and if you want the best most slobbery kisses, he's your guy.

Summer has gone by so quickly but we've enjoyed every minute of it! In this household we welcome fall with open arms... after all it is my favorite season!

stars & stripes

the 4th of July is easily one of my favorite holidays. family time, fireworks & red white and blue... can't get any better than that.
L was a sweetie and slept through most of the firework show until burning ashes flew in my eye and i about dropped him. sounds comical but it was absolutely horrible.

up at the boren cabin in liberty

great grandpa boren & l. talk about heart melting.

love spending long weekends with these two^

Saturday we spent the day on the lake with the FIL & MIL. we love the lake and we love them.Thanks mimi & poppie!