Here we come 2014!

Our family is going through a lot of changes this year. I am very excited about it, looking forward to it. I feel like the little irritating piece of sand inside a clam that gets worked and worked until it becomes a pearl. I am so grateful for my beautiful family, Michael, Evan and Cora Grace. If I had my way, there would be more so we'll see. ;) 

We had a good 2013. Really good. Our favorite thing was getting to go home to California on a driving trip that I never blogged or posted pictures for (yet?). We loaded up our trusty CRV and took a week to stop in St. Louis, the drive through South Dakota was my FAVORITE, Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone, Rexburg, Idaho for Cora Grace and my baby brother Isaac to finally meet (he was on his mission when she was born then went straight to school), Salt Lake City Utah to visit with and stay with amazing friends, a last minute stop in Las Vegas and got to see another great friend then California finally. It was great traveling with the kids, once we got to CA, we were there for a week, helping my parents pack up their house of 33 years to move. It was very rewarding to help alongside my brother Jesse. The kids cooperated perfectly at my parents house and loved jumping on their trampoline till their hearts content. Let's not forget all the cousins we got to visit with! Aunts and Uncles were everywhere and Cora even finally got to see the Ocean (she preferred the sand with cousin Adelle). Evan and Stewart made up for her by playing in the freezing ocean enough for all of us. :) On our way back to Tennessee we stopped at the Grand Canyon and it was so beautiful. I look forward to going back and taking more time there. We also got to go to Gatlinburg with the kids in December. I hope we take other trips this year, even for a couple days. Even more fun, we started camping this fall with the kids. We kinda got addicted going probably 4 times in a two month period? The kids LOVED sleeping in a tent, with Smokey, with mommy and daddy, Evan got to pee on trees! lol. We just had a great time being together, we just focused on enjoying each other and the moment. It payed off and we are going to focus in 2014 on doing more things like this as a family. Two of our camping trips took us down the road to Cedars of Lebanon State Park. The first time we went, I saw their lodge that they use for group parties, events and weddings. As soon as I saw these doors I knew we needed to take our Holiday pictures there, so we got dressed up on a cold cold day, set up the tripod and timer. All we did was press the button for the family shots! I took the rest and just love my hobby of photography, especially when we capture something like this. Here you go... Happy 2014: a year of JOY, positive changes- inside and out for all of us. Love to all.

These trouble makers love each other so much AND argue with each other so much! ha ha ha. Cora tattles with a smirk on her face, Evan is genuinely concerned about what trouble Cora get into. ha! Then they play together again like nothing happened.

Our Christmas/New Years Card this year.. in front of 'the doors'. Everyone loves my new boots. Me too! I got them through Zulilly! I will email you an invite if you ask and want to find unique finds. xo

I just love this slightly different shot with Cora hugging me that I couldn't leave it out. <3

Our babies, best friends. Evan is 5 now, looking forward to Kindergarten in the Fall. More like OBSESSED with Kindergarten in the Fall. Every night he asks if he can go to Kindergarten yet. Its so sad and sweet at the same time. Cora Grace will be 4 in JUNE! I can't even say 3 1/2 because she's such a big girl, acting 4. Both of these crazies have grown 2 inches since the summer. That is amazing.

Cedars of Lebanon State Park

Tutu Photo Shoot and Assistants

This is the tutu made by Aunt Jen for our twin birthday daughters. Cora wore it in her birth photoshoot, 6 months and one year photo shoot and I wanted at least one more time but who knows, maybe year 3 will see it again? :)

As soon as I mentioned I was going to take their pictures, Evan jumped at the chance to request his own camera (i thought he'd forgotten about it to be honest but he knew right where it was even) and to also take pictures with me of C.G. :) He wanted to be my assistant! So precious, it was really sweet and he did a great job as you will see at the bottom. He never got in my way either, just sat next to me, doing and saying what I was doing and saying.

Here's Cora Grace's 2 year tutu shoot;

and here are my photography assistants. ;)

the real child. lol.

"Look mommy, I'm taking a picture of the air vent!" I really like that you can see his view finder of what his picture is.

 Here are Evan's and a few of Cora Grace's pictures...

This cracks me up that she took this one of herself.

I couldn't choose between these two that Evan took. The one above looks like some sort of art. I love it.

"cheese"

Evan took AT LEAST 10 pictures of just his ankle/foot. lol.

lol.

"Mommy, I just am taking pictures of that fan!" Again, there were at least 15 pictures of his beloved fan. ha ha ha.

the famous air vent. love this little guy.

Ode to "Because I can"

About a year ago, I took pictures of the kids at our back door in almost the exact same outfits and named the post: "Because I can". Cora miraculously still fits in her ensamble but it won't last till next summer so I've been wanting to do this photo shoot before it's too late. Evan's even wearing the exact same  shirt so it's fun all around. Anyway, they are some of my favorite sibling pics and the kids didn't disappoint this time either. The first one in this post has got to be my favorite. I tried to get them to laugh or smile by saying our family 'funny bone tickler'.... "What's in YOUR kitchen" (you'd have to be there to know, it's pretty hilarous. lol). I'm so thankful for these beautiful inside and out children. We love you guys.

They held hands on their own. :)

I asked them to give each other kisses. So sweet.

Again, here is the post for last year so you can see their transformation. or here:

http://michaelandlilafamily.blogspot.com/2011/08/because-i-can.html

Thank you to Mike for being kind, loving, patient and helpful. These posts would not be possible had he not encouraged me to let him help me learn how to use Picasa better. Maaaaaaybe you'll get more posts now that he's helped me out. He misses my blogging too.