Thursday, January 24, 2013

and thus endeth the year of 2012






2012 was a CRAZY GOOD year for the Beardshall's over here. Really, life is far from perfect...but we are having the time of our lives, and I wouldn't change a thing. Oh and Chuck did get my party blower! He can't stand those things.

Up next.....2012 awards ceremony, and an anniversary post. Then we'll catch you up to what is in the works for this year.

signed, sealed, not delivered

Dont feel too bad if you didn't get one of these in the mail....because they never made it there. I am so LAME! I had them all ready to go and then I got sick and I just never got around to it. These accompanied our neighbor gifts this year! Oh well, cant win them all. 


merry christmas



Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year, how could it not be? This year seemed extra special because it was Will's first Christmas, and also because Katy really caught on to the idea of what Christmas is really about. She kept telling us how special it was for us to celebrate Jesus and to give presents to people.

Sadly I was so sick this year. I mean, I was DOWN and OUT for 5 days or so there. Actually we all got sick except for Steve...he is superman when it comes to getting sick. We laid low Christmas morning. It was perfect.

In my house growing up, Santa always left our stockings by our bedroom door. Truth be told my sisters and I would always have a sleepover on Christmas Eve, so I guess Santa left our stockings wherever we were sleeping. My stocking was my most favorite part of Christmas, my mom (I mean Santa) did such an amazing job at getting everything just perfect. Also, bonus for parents, it kept us kidos entertained long enough that we didn't have to wake them up before the crack of dawn!



Katy was stoked, Will was happy to be part of the party, and Steve...hates to get up early, but does it with a smile anyway for the kids! Ha!


Katy always makes you feel like a million bucks because every present is EXACTLY what she wanted and it's always her FAVORITE thing in the world.


She wanted, more than anything, an American Girl doll. Well those babies are a lot of money. I wasnt sure I wanted to spend that much money because I was not sure how it would be treated by a 4 year old. I was researching knock off dolls at Toys R Us and Target between 30-40 dollars, when my sister found the deal of the century....50.00 for a doll and accessory pack. Sold! I'm also happy to report that she has been a big hit. We have also enjoyed reading the books. 


Chuck dove face first into any and all bags and or tissue paper. He always loves a good excuse to do some investigating. Now Will, he was a surprise to me. He was overwhelmed by all the tissue and wrapping paper. I thought he would have LOVED that part, but he cried when I pulled it out of his back and let it fall on his head.

Sunday, January 20, 2013

seven



Well this happened at the end of November if you can imagine it. Here are a few things you enjoyed this month: 
  • You added peddling with your left foot to the mix of army crawling you enjoy so much. I'm thinking that you may have some real skateboarding skills on day. Man you are so FAST!
  • You are a big fan of cords. You will unplug anything you can get your hands on, including the christmas tree!
  • You are pulling yourself up to stand all the time. 
  • You are still loving your binkie but you don't really love it to sleep with. Best of both worlds right there for mom!




Looks like you are going to be pretty good at the staring contests!

Thursday, January 17, 2013

the hunt



The hunt. How did it begin? The first year we were married we got back from our honeymoon I think on the 23rd?, maybe even Christmas Eve so we of course did not have tree that year. The following year Steve and I invited ourselves to go with the Amundsen's (Steve's neighbors and very good friends growing up). Let me tell you it was a BLAST! We decided to keep up the tradition and we have gone back every year. Some years we go by ourselves, we've had our friends Rachel and Davis come once and Roger and Joanne a few times. One year we even had to tow back the Tacoma (thank you Roger's AAA) when the clutch went out. In fact we even went when Katy was less than a month old! I cut a tree down in the comfort of the warm car that year....and pointed to one that Steve could get! So you never quite know what might happen.

Although this year didn't wield any getting stuck in the snow...I think we were all feeling ok about that. 

This years adventure included Roger, Joanne and Gus...and also Carter and Grayden opted to come. I know Katy would have had a great time, but this girl had an absolute ball with these boys. She rode down and back with them. Although I'm pretty sure that Will missed having her in the back seat. 



We brought all of our really warm snow stuff....but it was unseasonably warm. A light jacket and beanie was all that was really needed.


Will was trying to figure out what we were doing, and he was getting frustrated he couldn't get down and crawl around.


I always imagine that I will be like Clark Grizwold in Christmas Vacation, and the tree will be lit up with a golden ray of sun, while the beautiful singing is in the background. Every year I think this and every year it seems to be stormy or gloomy. Not this year, that golden ray of sun did not let us down when finding our tree!


Always a happy camper when you are not preventing him from having fun or exploring something.


This kid. Carter is such a stud, we are so lucky to know him....Katy thinks he's hilarious!


Q was in hog heaven that he was along for the ride. He rode in the back of the truck...not sure he was a fan of all the bumpy dirt roads we traveled.


This picture makes me laugh because no one is really looking, and I didn't realize how funny my shoes look with my pants....what?!? Yup, I was just waiting for my neighbors to ask us where we were going to put this beaut!


"Hey Griswold. Where do you think you're gonna put a tree that big?"
"Bend over and I'll show you."



I think this kid had a blast on his first official adventure with us, even though he was warm in my tummy last year!

***Oh man almost going to get caught up here on the blog! Slacker!***

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

on the move




zoo day feast


So this was my first official turkey day visit to the zoo. We celebrated with Steve's family this year and the Grimshaws always always go to the zoo. In fact, they have invited us on many occasion but this was our first official outing. I guess it's getting more popular and was pretty busy.

The funny thing was I saw my cousins there, it's a small world I tell ya.


It was pretty cold, but Katy and Will seemed to have a good time!



As usual the carousel was a hit. Will is starting to get that this is a pretty fun thing. 


Katy can never decide which animal she wants to be



Heidi told us to come in our jammies and I took that quite literally! Great way to start your day if you ask me...


and this guy!

happy turkey day




We were in charge of rolls this year for thanksgiving. Katy was a killer helper in the kitchen this year. she made me laugh out loud when she was kneading the dow and announced, "mom...fists are good for kneading dough AND fighting bad guys!" The things that come out of her mouth make me stop in my tracks.


Happy Thanksgiving!

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Katy Remix 4th Edition


So here we go again....this kid is 4, count em' FOUR! Wow. That is really all I have to say about that. They say Rome wasn't built in a day. Neither was Katy, but I'm certain that she is becoming an amazing person with each passing day. I guess I'm trying to say that this girl of mine, she is something else. I learn so so much from the things that are going on in her head, and the things that come out of her mouth. Here are some things that come to mind...

1) Katy makes me the absolute best person I could ever imagine becoming, while at the same time testing my patience and pushing me to the limits. I'm learning that Katy can be very stubborn (a trait she no doubt got from me...although I wouldn't ever admit that!), and her teenage years are going to be interesting. A big shout out to Steve for being the best referee we could ask for, and for running interference when needed. 
2) She reminds me about the simple pleasures we can find in everyday ordinary things (like all the jokes she makes up and laughs hysterically at, or making a soccer goal for the other team), and about how we are so lucky to have all that we have. 
3) She sure has a LONG way to go in the sharing department...but she can be the sweetest big sister you could ever wish for. She is Will's biggest cheerleader and always claps and cheers for him when he does something she finds amusing (which is pretty much everything, except sharing her toys)! 

Katy we love you to Disneyland and back and we wouldn't trade you for a rabbit that makes ice cream sundays (something she reminds us of everyday). Here's to you....


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