The first part of November I had my local BFF, Krysta, take our family pictures. She is uber talented and did a killer job. We are not the easiest crew to take pictures of but she did a great job (and we had fun along the way). Afterwards I told her it was painless ...which coming from me, that's a HUGE compliment! I hate getting my picture taken! Here are some of my favorite pictures plus a brief rundown of each kiddo and some of their accomplishments from this past year!
Tony and I saw this picture and both said "wow, we got a lot of kids". Its crazy how when we are caught up in the day to day madness called our life, we don't realize how many of us there are. Not only are there a lot of kiddos, they are also pretty stinkin' cute kiddos.
This has to be my favorite picture she took. It is so REAL. It shows the unique personality, and temperaments, my kids each have. Taeya is working hard to help out, Aliya is pouting about something, Kai is fussing and Blake is scheming about what trouble he can get into next!
Kai, 15 months, is the best caboose we could have ever asked for. He is so fun. This day he was ornery so we weren't able to coax a smile out of him. Typically he will smile at anyone. He has one of those gigantic cheeser smiles that lights up his whole face! He loves to flirt with old ladies at the grocery store. He just started to walk and I can tell, he's going to give Blakers a run for his money when it comes to mischievousness. He is already climbing and getting into EVERYTHING! Although he's getting so big (he is only 2 lbs less than Blake), he still love to cuddle. Anytime I get him out of his crib he lays his head on my shoulder and pats my back. Its really sweet!
Ah Blakers (3). This little boy is so stinkin cute. His cuteness has saved his hiney a lot this past year. He is so curious and often times that curiosity has gotten him into trouble! These past couple months his vocabulary has exploded. He says some of the funniest things. His favorite thing is "just a second" or "in a minute" when he wants to keep playing. He continues to be obsessed with cars, trucks and diggers but has also discovered new loves: trains, tools and sticks. It is rare to find him with out some sort of toy in his hands. Blake goes to school 4 days a week and LOVES it. His teachers say he's great and that the other kids love him.
Aliya (5 1/2) is our big Kindergartner. We've been pleasantly surprised how well she is doing in school. She recently won an award for a story she wrote (I'm not exactly sure how that happened since she really cant write sentences but hers was the best Kindergarten girls story ... I cant wait to see it when school starts back up). She is so much fun. We say she's our bundle of personality wrapped up in butt length
hair. Every teacher she's had comments that all the other kids want to be friends with her. I cant blame them because when she's happy, she is so much fun to be with (fortunately ??, she saves her orneriness for home ... those times aren't so much fun)!
Taeya (8 1/2) continues to be the best firstborn kid we could ask for. She is such a huge help around the house and is so good with her little brothers (sometimes with her little sister too)! She is quite the student and we are so proud of her achievements. She recently competed in her schools spelling bee. They took the top 10 kids from 3rd, 4th & 5th grades and then had them compete. We didn't put much effort into studying because we figured she was competing against older kids, it wasn't very fair. She blew us out of the water and finished in the top 10. She has some terrific friends and loves spending time with them. She just finished soccer and is thinking volleyball maybe the next sport she'll try!
Oh I love this picture! These boys are payback for all the trouble Tony and I caused when we were younger. I get glimpses of the fun these two will have together ... part of me is scared to death but the other part thinks we'll have fun. I just fear the trouble they'll cause together!
True sisters! These two have so much fun together. They are getting to the point where they fight and get bugged by each other but at the end of the day, they are the best of friends. I love watching them play and scheme together!
I love this picture. My men have so much fun together. There is not a day that goes by that these three, and their sisters, do not wrestle or have a pillow fight. I've had so many pillow cases ruined in one of their epic pillow fights. I love how they roar and yell and wrestle yet they love each other so much. Its the sweetest thing to see each night as Tony comes through the door, the kids all yell "Dad" and go running for their hug. Kai lets out a yelp and goes waddling as fast and his little legs will let him! Yep, my boys love me but they adore their Daddy!
I love my girls. Its fun to talk with them about what their futures will be like. It was cute to hear Tae ask if I'll come take care of her when she has a baby. I love that they are at the age where they still want to be with me.
As for Tony and I, we're doing great. Tony is staying super busy at work. He is juggling a ton of different projects that often have him traveling but when he's home, he's home. He loves us and enjoys being with us. He is so good to take me out each weekend. I joke that we are single handedly employing all the neighborhood teens with our date nights! Its nice to know he likes 'courting' me! I'm doing the kid thing which most days I love. There have been a few days when I'm tempted to throw in the towel and get a job just so I can pee alone but those days are rare.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Years!
Love,
The Dickamores