I've been losing interest in my own blog lately. It's pretty boring to check a blog that never updates, don't you think? We've been busy lately, like most people. Here's a whole lot of pictures to catch us up!
This is my new bag. I had to post a photo because it's the most beautiful bag that ever was. For our anniversary (11 years! What?!), Jim commissioned this from our friend Chris Woodhead, who sewed it and stained it with his own bare hands. I will love it forever.
Thankfully, Wes is fully potty-trained now. We did have a mishap while out and about however, and he had to walk home from the grocery sans pants.
Taggy Bear turned 5 in September! I was lazy about birthday cakes last year (just wait 'til you see Luke's), and I got this one from the bakery at our grocery store. A very nice young man decorated it for us. He asked what Tag's name was so he could write it on top, and I said, "It's Tag. T-A-G."
Now say T-A-G out loud quickly. Did you do it?
He said, "Oh. Okay," and went back to finish up. When he brought the cake back out, it said, "Happy Birthday The". I had a little giggle and asked him to correct it. Then I had a much bigger giggle later at home. I never realized how much T-A-G sounds like T-H-E. And it goes to show how off-the-wall people are getting with names these days, when the guy didn't even question me!
We just love our sweet Tag! He is fun and adventurous, and makes me laugh on a daily basis. He keeps us on our toes with stuff like this:
Tag: Mom, when do we die?
Mom: Well, when we've done everything we're supposed to in our lives.
Tag: Oh. When do we move to San Diego?
(Did I mention that we're moving to San Diego? Woohoo!)
It was good!
Luke had a low-key 7th birthday. I also got his apple cinnamon cake from the store, and it ended up being delicious. I'm grateful for sweet children with low expectations!
Luke is such a sweetheart. He is a great example to his brothers and we love him.
Halloween! Wesley simply could not get over the fact that everyone was giving him candy. He was in heaven.
My friend Julie and I went to NYC for a couple days to celebrate Julie's birthday. Can I just say, this trip was SO SO SO fun. Here we are at Serendipity 3 about to sip our frozen hot chocolate. Delicious!
We saw some famous people. We didn't know who any of there were, but we took pictures anyway.
This guy was on Jimmy Fallon that night.
Greenwich Village. We ate at a delicious vegetarian restaurant called Red Bamboo. You should try it.
Julie got threaded! I watched her endure the pain. Verdict? She'll stick to waxing (no pun intended).
The Today Show
Another famous person we didn't know. And Al Roker (who is very short, by the way).
Julie's husband Patrick took this picture on his TV. We've been getting autograph requests ever since.
Lost in the tunnels of the subway, we found a treasure!
I don't have enough words to express how much I enjoyed Wicked. It had been a long time since I'd been to a live musical, and this one did NOT disappoint. Awesome seats, awesome voices, awesome music, awesome companion!
Other highlights of the trip include shopping on Canal Street, trying on our dream rings at Tiffany's, buying Julie's husband some sweet 80's running gear at American Apparel (hello sweatbands and tube socks!), walking at least 20 miles, Thai food, and perfect weather.
After exiting the Chinatown bus back in Philly, we ran into a bit of trouble and ended up riding home in the back of a police car. When I say Philly, I mean North Philly. When I say a bit of trouble, I mean our lives were in danger. When I say we "ended up" in the back of a police car, I mean we called the police after we thought a lady was being murdered across the street from us.
We were a little slap-happy at this point because it was very late at night and we were very grateful to be alive, but that was the most terrifying night of my life. Seriously.
Thanks Julie! We should make this an annual event!
We spent some time at a beautiful farm outside Philadelphia. Sometimes you just need fresh air and quiet, you know? Actually, ALL the time would be nice.
Kids need to play in the hay.
Wesley always shuts one eye when he points at something. It's so cute.
After a fun-filled evening with the Rennies just before Christmas, Emmett was beat.
Nary taught some of us ladies how to make perfect egg rolls. Just ask my siblings how good they were at Christmas!
Pizza night! We will miss Chaz's pizza when we move. If you live here, check out Kristina's pizza on Berks Street sometime. You won't regret it. See Emmett all excited back there?
We got some snow! I thought the true winter weather was passing us by this year. Not so. The boys were grateful for the powdery white stuff, and I was grateful for a husband who likes to be in the snow.
This is William, our neighbor and friend. Another friend, Mitch Boyer, took these pictures in William's home. I just had to show them to you because they are SO DARN CUTE.
Emmett turned 1 in December! We were driving down to NC for Christmas on his birthday, so no cake for this guy. He has convinced me I want lots more children (shhh...don't tell Jim).
We finished off 2011 with a Taggart family Christmas. I am so happy when I'm with my family. I love them so much! I adore my sisters-in-law (and of course my wonderful brothers), and we had lots of bonding time over daily walks, late-night chats, toenail painting, and YouTube video watching. As an added bonus, Melyn (my cousin but really my sister) and Kyler joined the party, as well as my cousin from the Taggart side, Travis Eberhard.
Grandpa kinda likes Emmett...kinda.
Rubberband fight with Kyler. It looks like Jack was losing this one.
Wrestling with Kyler. It looks like Tag was losing this one.
My memory is already fading. Was this Christmas Eve? We had fun walking on the new trail in North Raleigh. That cute little wagon gave us some trouble, but luckily Travis travels with a tool kit for his wheelchair and we were able to fix it. Did I mention the weather was amazing the whole time? I heart Raleigh.
My charmer.
Christmas morning!
So, there's a story behind this mask and I hope I get it right. It has something to do with Nick giving Jim a sweet camouflage do-rag 2 years ago for Christmas (we draw names), and Nathan remembering said do-rag and wanting to top it this year when he drew Nick's name. Apparently this is a very highly rated mask on Amazon. Nick put it on with a trench coat and went around to the front door. When we heard the doorbell ring, all the kids ran to the door with Christmas morning excitedness, only to be greeted by a creepy, barefoot horse man. Wes was traumatized, but I think everyone else handled it okay.
I have to say though, I found it even funnier when my brother Nathan, who is allergic to latex, could not resist the urge to try this LATEX mask on anyway. He spent at least 2 full days looking like he'd gotten a sunburn on his face. Hahahaha!
For reference, here's Wesley sporting the do-rag in 2009.
Boys, boys, boys
The day after Christmas, my parents rented out Bounce-U in Apex for our family and some friends. We all had a blast! Here's Nate (11) getting ready to sock Ethan (5) in the face. Not quite fair? No one got hurt. Ethan is one tough cookie.
I'm trying to convince Emmett he really does like it.
We have lots of pictures of the kids, but the adults were funnier, so I'm posting those instead.
Patrick vs. Ben
Matt vs. Doreen
Somehow Doreen manages to SMOKE her husband, and look cute at the same time.
Nathan vs. Ben
Grandpa did it all.
Grandpa kinda likes Emmett...kinda.
Who can resist this giggly baby??
The whole gang. Of course, Wesley is attached to Aunt Jo. He was on her lap or at her side for most of the trip. He was even running his fingers through her hair during church. When I told him that San Diego is only 2 hours from Jack and Jo, he smiled so big I thought his face would hurt!
Jim loves camping with our boys. I love that Jim loves camping with our boys. They did so in Raleigh with some friends. These friends had a kid-sized four-wheeler.
Wes: "Hey Dad, I don't know how this works!"
I love that enthusiasm guys.
On the way home, the van got stuck in this mud.
See?
Here's Luke steering the red wagon down the trail in Grandpa and Grandma's backyard.
New Year's Day family picture. These visits are never long enough.
I feel like the the Waldo in this picture. Can you find me?
Back at home, we spent the MLK Jr. holiday hiking with our friends, the Rennies. It was a bit treacherous, but we all survived (not without Luke falling into icy water, but it was still fun).
That's Nary there feeding a goose. She's one of my favorite people.
