Beyond Behind

It's funny to me when I look back at my first years with this blog. 2008 is the first full year that I blogged, and I had 139 posts during that year. 2009, Marnie came along and my posts dropped to 88. Then 53 in 2010 and 42 in 2011. Now look at me. Almost 3 months into 2012, and I'm writing post #2. Naptime was once my blogging time, but (sadly) our kids are sooo over napping. Combine that with the fact that it takes me a solid 30 minutes to get "going" on the computer (i.e. figure out what I want to say, what pictures I want to post, make sure the kids are engaged in whatever busywork I gave them, etc.). That being said, I'm always glad when I do post something. I love looking back at the old posts and reminiscing about the funny stages they went through and how much they've grown. I reeeeeally need to get back on board with the blog. They only grow up once. I only have the chance to record things for a short time. With all that jumbles around in my mommy head, I need to try harder to make a hard copy of these days before they fade.
This post will be a hodge-podge, so be prepared.

Last month we took a day trip to hike and check out the ruins at Walnut Canyon. 

For her third birthday,  Ms. Marnie requested, "a ballerina cake that's pink and fluffy and lovely."

We had a great visit from cousins Haylee and Brynn recently.

He loves to try on new hats.

I love how sweet Griz is. This pictures was taken on Christmas morning, when he laid right down in front of Beck and invited him to pat his head and pull his ears. He's such a gentle dog.

Marnie has been obsessed with The Wizard of Oz for months. I made her a Dorothy dress (out of the curtains I made for Britt's room a few years ago) and she was in heaven.

I can't wait to watch this little lady run around Granny's house in a few weeks...

 and Britt and Marnie can't wait to play with cousins Emelyn and Ellee again.

And we're counting down the days till we get to snuggle our handsome little Beck again.

I love how these two are best buddies. 

Britt got another best buddy from Santa too... Isn't he gorgeous?! Both of them, really. I better introduce the scaly guy, Tesla, the corn snake. He's awesome. We all LOVE him.