A little more random.

My mind has been kind of everywhere so that is how this post will be as well!

• I got a cold right before Christmas. Not what I wanted for Christmas, Santa. I am hoping that I will wake up tomorrow morning feeling way better or at least by Christmas morning.
• I have a little addiction to Army Wives right now. This may not be a very good thing because it leads to tears pretty much every episode. 
• Christmas would not be the same without White Christmas and yes I cry every single time I watch it.
• I am starting to see a pattern with the crying thing.
• I bought a swimming suit today and it made me so excited for Hawaii! Everyday is one day closer until paradise. I cannot stop smiling just thinking about it.
• Today has been a staying in his jammies kind of day for Max and I think he loved it. I ran a few errands while Aunt Lo babysat and then came home and put my sweatpants right back on. Got to love comfy, get stuff done around the house, kind of days.
• I have a feeling that Max is going to be very overwhelmed on Christmas. I kept my purchasing to a minimum this year, but I think Grandma and Gramps may have gone a little crazy. I have a big move to look forward to in a couple months so more stuff means figuring out how to move it, but apparently they weren't on the same page. Watching his expression and he opens his presents will be priceless! 
• Max's favorite things right now are water cups, emptying Mom's purse, staring at the Christmas tree, watching Sesame Street and Blue's Clues, unloading a few of the cupboards (much to Momma and Grandma's dismay) and playing with Uncle Nate who is home from college. 
• I watched Max fight his nap today on the video monitor. He was playing peekaboo by himself. It was the cutest thing in the world and I couldn't stop giggling. The little turkey makes me smile.

Just giving Santa a little boost!

The last little bit of 2011

The past three months have FLOWN by. Here is what we did from October to December.

October:

Chilling at the playground!

Vandal Homecoming! Max loved his first trip to Moscow and he looked so cute in his Idaho gear!

Cheering on his Vandals! Mommy and Daddy always had so much fun in the Kibbie Dome together! We really missed Daddy at the game!

What is this?

My precious boy was made for the Fall!!

Momma stole a few cuddles when she could.

The happy little elf LOVED Halloween!

November:

One of the last baths Max took with real soap before we got the exzema diagnosis.  

We enjoyed some yummy pasta.

We still loved to drive in our car. 

Grandpa had  big birthday and Max delivered a little birthday cheer at the office!

We drew Daddy pictures. 

We kept Grammie and Grandpa B on their toes and made them giggle while we visited.

We had a very happy Thanksgiving and crossed one more holiday off the list until we are together again.

December:

We have been trying to get into the Christmas spirit. 

December brought lots of energy. For Max anyway.

We tried to spread Christmas cheer to all our loved ones.

He kept me busy and made me smile.

He looked so adorable in his Christmas jammies!

Max wrestled with his doggies.

We visited Santa and it wasn't so successful.

How are there only 9 days until Christmas? And I have to admit I have started the countdown until our upcoming family vacation. Paradise, you are within my sights and I need something to look forward to right about now. Christmas is about so many things for me, the most important being Christ, but then family. And I want my heart next to me Christmas morning while I drink my coffee and watch Max open his stocking. Since I can't have that then I am focusing on the sun, the sand, and my sweetie in the nearish future.

Looking Back in Pictures part 2

A little more of how we spent 2011!

June:

We did lots of playing outside!

Lots of bath time splashing!

He already loves the cabin as much as I do!

Mommy's little shopping partner!

He got baptized!

Grandma and Grandpa came to visit!

JULY:

Screaming and having fun. We also learned to walk the beginning of this month!

Max loved his pool!

Ready to go for a spin with his hair all sun screened!

We went to Disneyland for the first time!!

Playing on Pluto's bed!

August:

Pools are even fun without water!

I thought some was getting so big at this point.

Max's first haircut!

Water park fun!

We had a fabulous trip to visit Miss L in Reno and San Francisco!

This is in September too, but blogger won't let me change it so just pretend it is down there. Any way we went to visit  Miss L and Julie in Kansas City! It was so much fun and we cannot wait to be reunited with them again in AK!

September:

Celebrating a year of amazing aka a yea of Max man!

Blowing out his candle! What a blessing he has been for our family!

Celebrating Auntie Kendal's Birthday!

Getting as much outside time as possible in before the bad weather.

This kid seriously is obsessed with going outside.

And Blogger is starting to frustrate me so this will be a three part post. I love looking back on these memories. Although not all of 2011 was ideal, these stages and ages of Max have been a blast. I cannot imagine my life without my little man. He is not always easy, but his spunk keeps me smiling and busy. 

Looking back in pictures part1

We have had a roller coaster of a year with many ups and many down, hellos and goodbyes, laughter and tears. I want to share a few memories as I look back on the year. I am not going to lie, I am very much looking forward to 2012, the year when I will be reunited with my love and my heart will be complete and then year that I will be back with so many great friends. A lot to look forward to next year, but we have had made the most of 2011 so here is a look at the past year!

January:

Two of Max's favorites: Marcelles Moose and his Bumbo!

Max got belly kisses from Daddy on Daddy's birthday! 

Baby rolls!

Mr. Personality somehow got his hood on all by himself!

February:

We sent this to Daddy on Valentine's day because he had to be away.

Too legit!

Playing with his friend girl before we left Fairbanks!

My tired boys saying good bye before Daddy left for a month!

Playing in Idaho!

March:

My handsome boys!

Playing in the sand in Hawaii for the first time!

Family ocean picture!

Daddy loves to drive!

Max loved the pool!

It wouldn't be a trip to Hawaii with the family picture in Hawaiian print!

April:

Learning to crawl!

Spending time with Daddy!

Wrestling. I see a lot more of this in my future.

Getting to be a big boy!

Playing with Daddy!

Our last dinner as a family!

Goodbye kisses!

May:

Cuddling with Daddy doll!

Loving his Idaho deck! Watch out world crazy driver!

Doing man things!

His future is so bright, he has to wear shades.... haha...

From January to May we made a couple of trips. The first to Idaho in February and then to Hawaii in Marcha and then the big move back to Idaho in April. We stayed very busy and it was so hard to say goodbye our first house as a family, Max's first home. So many wonderful memories that are very bitter sweet. My little guy is so big now. I am lucky to be his Momma and I have a had a blast this year watching him grow and learn. I am also lucky to have such a great man to co-parent with and I am looking forward to the day when he can start handling his share of the poopy diapers. Hehe.

More of 2011 to come because I had so many pictures I loved I couldn't narrow it down!