Beach Pics:)

 Days on the beach are the best. I love looking back at our beach vacay pictures and seeing how the kids have grown. I was pretty bad at documenting this beach trip because our beach time was so sporadic with the baseball but here are a few to document the occasion!

Another Year's End

2013 has rolled in and out like a flash of lightning! This year Bobby and I had a New Year's Eve schedule that included being home by 8 and in bed by 10. I was forced to be awake at midnight only because our neighbors across the field were shooting off massive amounts of fireworks. It was like the Fourth and Disney World all combined! 

I made the kiddos pose for end of the year pictures just because. Elaina wanted to pose with G because most of the time she insists that he's her "best brother"......until he strays from doing exactly what she wants. Then he's no longer the best brother and it's one of the others. 

Grant moved to a new room this year only to decide by year's end that he actually just really likes sleeping with Cade. And, Cade, who begged him not to go in the first place is a more than welcoming host. I also heard through the grapevine that G is the "ladies man" at school. And the best part? He has no idea. He's just rollin' with that spiked hair and is none the wiser. Let's keep it that way. Humble and cute are always a good combo:)

2013 brought a stellar start to middle school for Cade. It also brought the label  of "instigator" since we've noticed that things are generally calm and running smoothly until he walks in the room. Then there's fighting and crying amongst all....except for him. He's a sneaky fella but we're on to him now. As of the end of 2013 I can still take this boy down with a foot sweep and tackle him to the floor. 2014 may be a different story if he decides to grow. Instigator or not, I love this kid.

Rhett. Future lawyer or any other profession that requires arguing. He's spent a lot of time practicing that in 2013. Despite arguing, he's the King Snuggler in our house. I hope I get to spend twice as much time snuggling with this kid in 2014 because it makes my heart happy. 

And last but not least, Elaina.....oh, Lordy someone help me. Cute as the cutest button you ever did see but 2013 brought age 3 and age 3 always wears.me.out. Nice kids usually return around age 4 and I'm looking forward to that in 2014! Right now she is Ms. I wantwhatiwantwheniwantit. And she wan't it now or yesterday, whichever is sooner. 2013 also brought swimming and gymnastics to her world and watching her do those things is so precious. 

I'm so glad the Lord saw fit to give us another entire year together. My prayer is that he grants us at least 80 more. As 2013 slides out my goals for 2014 are pretty simple: Pray more and meal plan. I think those are attainable! Goodbye, 2013. You've been good to us and we hate to see you go! It's time to welcome baby new year and all that she has to offer! 

The Making of the Christmas Card 2013

I had every intention of taking the kids to the park or something and taking some great pictures of them for our Christmas card this year. But, as always, life happened and the next thing you know Christmas is in a couple weeks and we have to snap a spur of the moment shot for the card. Oh, well. Spur of the moment is better that no moment at all! I coaxed the kids outside on an afternoon that was about a high of 32 degrees. It was FREEZING! 

 Even thought they complained everyone gave me a good smile for at least these three photos. 

 This ended up being the picture I used for the card only for the mere fact that looking at it makes me smile and feel all happy inside. It just looks fun!:)

Another year's Christmas card in the books. Ahhh. Sigh.

Summertime Cuteness

Just makin' good use of our new back yard:)

Here Comes Lucky Number 13!

Time just keeps on tickin' and I've found that with each passing year it just ticks more quickly than the one that preceded it. The Morgan crew has overall has had another year with more good happenings than bad and for that we are thankful to God! This year on New Years Eve we kept it simple and brought in 2013 with a game night and just a couple friends (and pretty many kids!). Well, when I say we "brought in 2013" I mean that we party hardied until about 9:45 when everyone packed it up and headed home and then Bobby and I laid in the bed wondering when in the world the fireworks would stop (the answer is 12:45am). Anyway, before all of that I had the kids make a couple goals for themselves for 2013. These are now pinned up in their room and we'll see if any of them even attempt to meet their written goals! I giggled at Cade's because he's sucked his father into a commitment as well....looks like his fanny is going to be working out with Sean T. a few times a week:)

If Grant sticks with his goals my life as a mother would be golden! 

I love that Rhett added the commandment "Do your goals!!" to his sheet. It's always good to have a bit more motivation on your list! I also think he should've added "Get your b's and d's right." since he asks me that all the time and clearly should have asked me once more for this project. 

 The princess cannot write yet and therefore I constructed some goals for her. I feel confident that she would agree that her goal is appropriate:) One additional one we will work on will be keeping our eyes open when a camera flashes. 

 Ahhh, there are those peepers!

As far as big happenings go I think the biggest announcement of 2012 had nothing to do with a fiscal cliff but the fact that Kanye West and Kim Kardashian are having a baby together. Because really, what does a country need that's on the brink of self destruction? Another 4 years of Obama and another Kardashian. As if we haven't had enough of either of those:)  Here's to a happy, healthy New Year! 

Kiddos in a Row

I had several outtakes for my Christmas card this year but these two were my favorites. I ended up using the second one for the card. I love, love, loved seeing all my favorite faces in a row!

Yearly Tradition!

I love when this time rolls around. I know that this December in particular has been super busy for Bobby and me. I think we've needed a babysitter literally every Friday and Saturday night of the month for various things. For that reason, I was SO looking forward to a quiet night with my chillins for our yearly Christmas tradition: 

A little popcorn and hot chocolate....

 A little time to be sweet with siblings.....(notice I said "a little" because 'sweet' is rare with these boys)....

 and a little Polar Express. 

This movie has yet to get old to me. I love the magic and the family time. And I better love it while I can. It won't be too far into the future that these kids will roll their beady eyes at me and sigh when I tell them it's Polar Express night :/