Christmas Morning

Our Christmases are typically pretty chill. We don't travel and with my family being so small, the kids are loudest of the bunch. 

Boys loved their scooters and we spent most of Christmas day playing out front before heading to Castlewood for an evening of yummy food!

Monterey Homeschool Day

We took our 2nd annual trip to the aquarium the day before Ezra turned four. This year we decided to drive down the day of instead of speeding the weekend. I had actually forgotten to sign up for the trip and it fills up so fast. I put us on the wait list and was shocked to find out we could go. It all worked out and made for another fun road trip, right after our snow excursion. 

 And we managed to all fit into that dang clam shell!!! :) You can see my whale-of-a-self from last January here. 

So we started 2013 at the aquarium and ended it here as well. Ha!

Snow!

We didn't do too many of our normal traditions this year. I gave us lots of room without too many hard and fast expectations. Our plates were full this year so minor changes had to be made. :) BUT, no matter what I made sure we invested in time together and embracing adventures this season. I think that pretty much sums up our crazy gang. So in enthusiastic Swenson spirit, we decided over the weekend to take a road trip. Quite last minute. We knew we just couldn't pass up a trip to see some cold white fluffiness, especially since none of our wee ones had seen snow yet. We drove about two and half hours and stopped along the side of the road to play. 

Ezra LOVED it right from the get-go. Theo took quite some time to warm up to it. Pretty much their personalities to a tee. 

V was there too, although she did all of her snow viewing from my back. Next year she can join the big boys and actually taste it while building a snowman..to then knock over. Yeesh, boys. ;)

I think Theo's favorite part was the lunch and warm drinks post-snow. 

We hit a thrift store next to the coffee shop and then loaded back in for the long drive home. My dreams of a long road trip soon almost seem to have a chance with these three! Great training with a fun adventure.

FOUR.

I know this may sound a bit strange but I feel like you've been four for the last six months or so, already. You already know how to bike without training wheels, you get yourself dressed, go to the potty without prompting {most days}, and help around the house with things that need to be done…you are quite the big boy already. It's certainly bittersweet, first born. 

You love meat, pasta, warmed tea with honey, and "God's gift to your tongue" {Nutella, for the non-Swenson}. You still love to match with brother and often ask to do things exactly like him. You love your little sister, dearly, and love to pretend to take care of her, like change her diaper. 

Octonauts, Dinosaur train, and Cars are some of your favorite screen time shows. Superheroes, especially Thor, are all the rage! You love anything active: kicking/throwing ball, biking, walking, scooting, etc. And you still love gymnastics every week and request going to the "bike park" at least three times per week.

"Soft pants" are your preferred dress code, instead of jeans or other stiff clothing. And you usually have to be talked into bath/shower time. "But" is currently a favorite response when asked to do something. You're just now starting to get into building things, like legos. And still love to be read to and look through books. School is one of your favorite activities. You can write your name, count, add, and just starting to sound out letters. 

We love that you still love to cuddle with us often and know the days are numbered where we can hold you or carry you upstairs to bed. You love playing with your friends and will ask often to go outside to see if the neighbors can play. And you haven't met a stranger you couldn't strike up a conversation with. Our little social butterfly. 

It's such a blessing to have you as our first. You are such a great leader and love to help others. Your communication skills are awesome and we love it when you think out loud. Ezra, you are such a delight and your motivation is inspiring! You're just so good at sticking to something even if it's hard work. 

Happy FOURTH, little man! Can't wait to see all that you'll learn and do this year!! 

Super E Turns FOUR.

I'm so terribly behind in updating. So that's gonna be my excuse for not even editing these pictures I got from a family friend. So glad she got these shots and we'll just take 'em as is. ;)

E really wanted to superhero party this year to celebrate starting his fourth year of life. We went with a variety of avengers style decor and activities. Our first kiddo party and he got to invite whoever he wanted. I may or may not have almost died from anxiety with what to do with kids indoors. But it went great and so glad it didn't rain this year.  

 The kiddos worked on decorating their superhero cuffs and putting on tattoos at the tattoo pallor.

i made a variety of superhero felt masks along with the cuffs to decorate. 

He is still talking about his birthday party and all his friends that got to be there. It was definitely a hit!

Love Birds // Sarah + Tim.

It was quite a delight to meet up with these two. Just two love birds. It's actually quite funny that we hadn't met before, seeing as we know so many mutual people. It was a wonderful evening getting to know Sarah and Tim while capturing their love. And I loved that they came ready with lots of meaningful props and ideas. 

Swenson Thanksgiving

We are back and still in recovery mode from a fabulous, action-packed, fun trip to see family. We fit a lot in the seven days we were there! Much of the time, I actually didn't have my camera out. But here's a quick sampling of what I captured. 

We got LOTS of good, quality cousin time in which everyone loved. And the rest of the So Cal cousins got to meet Vesper. 

Our kids were in toy heaven. The boys also wore their cousin's cars, superhero, and other boy clothes every day we were there.

W and I sneaked away for our date night tradition: visiting the place where our story all began. It was quite funny actually since they had made some changes since the last year we visited. Kinda felt like old farts shocked by change. W couldn't even order his regular drink and had to branch out a bit. Ha!

The other request I have when going down is a family trip to the beach. We actually spent the afternoon there and I got to capture my sweet sister-in-law and her family while the kiddos played. It was SUCH a perfect day for the beach and hardly anyone was there. We also got another chance for some beach play when I did another family session for my close girlfriend and her soon-to-be family of five. Theo LOVED running around the waves and grabbing sand. 

{that would be Theo, and not Amy's son. ;)}

An awesome highlight was our family trip to the horse stables where Ruth and her kiddos take care and ride Dubai. We got a quick lesson in horse care and then got to do a few laps in the arena. 

 Swenson baby girl was another highlight. Deliciously chubby; less than 3 months old. Also, grand baby #19!

Our drive home was pretty rough. We left later than planned and it was pretty thick with traffic already.  And everyone was quite exhausted and cranky! But the following day, Ezra was talking about how much he missed his cousins. 

There's so much we are grateful for. The open arms and homes of our family. The yummy meals that were cooked, the great conversations we had, and play time that our kiddos got with their cousins. We sure look forward to the next visit!!!