picture december

december went by in a flash! i can't believe it's gone and we are in the new year. it was strange to be away from "home" during the holidays, but it was fun to experience the season in a new place. we even saw some snow! but not snow like in utah. not even close. and yet...people freak out and don't know how to drive in a half inch of white. in utah, 4 feet can dump and people still drive 75 on the highway. haha. it was a busy month, getting ready for our trip we took to southern california, and getting christmas wrapped up and shipped out to phoenix, salt lake city, lubbock, and houston.

we had a nice little christmas eve and then we left for california on christmas morning.

click here to see miles' first christmas!

and here's our december in seattle...

snow!!

 ok, this is probably my most favorite photo of these 2 ever. they both made the exact same face when a really cold gust of wind came through. i die. they are the cutest twinners ever.

...and yes. i randomly take photos of my shoes. and yes...i randomly make brandon pose for photos outside our apartment. just ask him how much he enjoys it. on a scale of 1-10, i would say he hates it an 11.

bwahahahaha!!

and a happy new year . . .

2012...probably the craziest year of my life. 2012 has brought me more change, challenge, and chaos than any other year. it has also brought me more happiness, love, and patience.

 i won't lie...i am not sad to see it go. 2012 kicked my butt. i feel like i failed more than i succeeded this year. the trials have been plentiful, but so have the blessings. the things that i did accomplish (not killing the baby) are more important than any other achievements in my life. and the things that i failed, i have learned from and i am ready to move on.

big choices were made. a baby was born. life was changed.

the best part of 2012 is obviously miles. having a baby has changed me in ways i can't even explain. i never knew i could survive off such little sleep and no personal space. ha! i have also never experienced such love and compassion. i just melt when miles smiles. (i know...it rhymes) he is so full of sweetness. i can't imagine life without him, now. ...sometimes i reflect fondly on the time brandon and i had together before he was born...but i wouldn't go back. (ok...maybe for a day. or just a friday night. but just long enough to go to dinner and a movie)

miles has brought so much love into our family. i just couldn't love anything more.

i feel like a truck ran over me. a truck called 2012, but i am ready to pick myself up and go out swinging into 2013. i've got some tricks up my sleeve and some big ideas in mind. it's time to get back to it. no more "i just had a baby and moved away from home" excuses!

we've got some exciting plans and good things to look forward to. starting with the exciting news that we found a house! we are officially sticking around the nothwest for a few more years, and we close/move in february.

it's gonna be a good year, and i am ready for it!!

so bring it on, 2013! lets do this!

happy new year!

and also...watch this...i am in love.

what are you doing new years eve

a merry little christmas ...

santa came a little early this year...for 2 reasons. 1. we were leaving early christmas morning, and there wouldn't be time to open presents and enjoy mile's first christmas experience. 2. i am really bad at waiting till christmas. i guess i will need to get better at that now that miles is here! haha!

when santa came, miles did't really understand what was happening...he just knew we kept squawking and cheering every time he plucked a bow off a box or waved tissue paper around. he might think we are idiots.
the dogs were a bit jealous of the new toys.

on christmas eve we had a nice eggnog french toast breakfast, opened presents, (ok that's a lie. we opened presents on the saturday before) and then drove bauer and lola out to the dog ranch in snohomish (north of seattle) that they go to when we leave town. it is about a 30 minute drive, but i love it. it is the most beautiful drive through mountains, rivers, lakes, and farm land. the dogs love it. love it. they freak out when we get there because they are so excited. (going to the ranch for a week was their christmas present)

then we walked through the new house (hoping to close next month) and spent the rest of the day packing and relaxing. take out thai food and fire.

the next morning we left with 17 million bags and baby items for california with my family. we met them there, in san clemente. it was so fun! and so nice to see the sun! miles was fascinated by the ocean and sand. he loved spending time with grandma and grandpa and his auntie and uncles.

merry christmas 2012

i didn't do much decorating this year. and i don't feel bad about it.

 "thanks...a sound machine...great. just what i've always wanted"

"what about us!?"

"no, really...what about me??"

"this is ridiculous."

 "this sucks."

merry christmas!

phamily photos

so, back in october we had our first official family photos taken. 

that does it, i am a real mom. with real family photos. sometimes i still need a moment to digest this... and maybe a paper bag to breath into.

every now and then, some little thing like family photos, babiesRus coupons, and mysterious slimy crap on every single shirt i own, comes crashing in and brings a little reality check, that i really do have a baby. and life really has changed that much.

this weekend has been a major reality check. hahahaha...

ok, back to the family pictures... i had this whole vision of our family picture being taken out in the woods of beautiful washington. but, the thing is...in seattle, it rains. it rains a lot. and the rainy season starts in october. (when we had our photos scheduled) so of course, the morning of our shoot, it was pouring, dark, and windy. these 3 elements do not make for good photos, especially with a 7 month old baby. so, luckily our photographer was able to make it work in her dining room! she had a good white wood back ground, and i think, all things considered, the pictures turned out alright!

did i mention that miles was totally grumpy the whole time and would hardly crack a smile? or that i was car sick and threw up? or that a stitch in the front of my dress popped open when i got out of the car so my boobs were falling out a little? it was a pretty magical afternoon... but the results aren't bad!

pham {pham}ily photos 

and ps...i did the unthinkable. for years i have sworn i would never do christmas cards. how cheesy. well guess what... your cards are in the mail. merry freakin christmas.