Wow, we’re at the verge of 2013 already? I began the year with two kids and end it with five. How’s that for complicating my choices of favorite twelve photos? So I combed through my not-so-meticulous-cause-I-was-lazy-this-year archives and pulled pictures that pull my heart strings. There isn’t a photo for every month (Cam took lots of breaks this year), but the evolution of our year looks pretty good.
This is Ya at three years old – he turned four in August. He’s full of dominant personality that for some is hard to get used to. I love that he articulates how he feels and what he’s thinking – - and he is always calcultating something important in his head. Sometimes defiant (but ready to say, “I’m sorry, Mom, for all my bad behavior”), and full of spunk, this once-Mama’s-baby has grown up fast this year. He’s also accepted a lot of changes thrown at him in rapid succession. The expression here pretty much fits how he’s handled it all – with a smirk [or is it a grimace?], a shrug, and eventually, a smile.
Considering that I’m only supposed to show my children, I’m probably stretching this one a little bit, but hey, it works. In March, my little family doubled in size when I married my love. You might say we took the curve in the railroad tracks and merged two trains into one (kind of like that horrid math problem people like to recite, except the math makes sense, no?) So here’s the hubs showcasing our four on our wedding day.
On our “family honeymoon” to Myrtle Beach, the kids enjoyed themselves immensely. I left my sporty ride at home and rented a van(!) to carry our large family to a little bit of paradise. This was on our first evening, and though the water was not cold, the waves were strong. It was early evening when the kids finally convinced us they should hit the shore. Two of our sons haven’t had much experience with beaches and it shows in JD’s expression of excitment and shock. And seeing our other three in the background of the image happily playing together shows our merger is working.
Miss Originality rocked a faux-hawk this May. Trust when I say there is no style she cannot pull off. During our first family outing to a local farm to try strawberry picking (hard hunting!), that hair whipped around wildly and looked like it had its own life. After we quickly exhausted of picking strawberries, the kids decided to try out the bounce. Chi, in the forefront, gave that hair even more movement with her abundant energy. 
My two Virgos often butt heads. Ya reigned as the “man of the house” for his first three years. Now, hubs has assumed the role. There are times when the challenges between each are intense. There are also times when the two come together and have fun.
One occassion when the metal slide at Fantasy Park was not too hot to handle, and the kids took full advantage. The trio slid down together at least half a dozen times. Gotta love when everyone is getting along.
This gal was meant for the tropics! Here, on a beautiful beach in the Bahamas, she showed off her ANTM-worthy pose (and gave hubs heart palpitations when he saw the picture).
That hair! That heart birthmark! That beautiful face! I’m totally hooked on my Chi.
He makes toast look good – - except the goal here was to get our annual “school photo.” As is always the case, the quick images captured by the school’s photographer feature forced smiles, odd shadows, and awkward poses. But then, Ya made me work hard to get a share-worthy portrait once he relinquished the bread bag.
I cherish this picture of our oldest and youngest.
With Ri’s birth, we’ve got two princesses in our male-dominated household. Chi has looked forward to getting her sister since learning we were expecting. I love watching her hold Ri – - seeing her whisper secrets as she smoothes wayward curls and kisses chubby baby cheeks. Ten years separate them, but I’m confident theirs will be one of those treasured close relationships.
And finally, one of my favorite photos (in the three weeks since her birth) of our little lady. Her little sleeping pout is perfect, isn’t it? She’s the link between our children in so many ways. They’ve all fallen for her, so I suspect these pouty lips will rarely be revealed.
These are beautiful!!