Thursday, December 29, 2016

christmas cheer and the new year...

post by casey
*4-ish minute video at the end of this post:)*



this time last year, I was snuggling a newborn baby through all the holidays...that may be a *hope* of mine for 2017 - you got me, I'll cave, here it is...IT IS MY ONLY HOPEEEEEEEEE!!!;). But until then...we survived with just our 3 old, wrinkly, sassy anddddd amazing, hilarious, rowdy kiddos:) They are the reason for the season and they've made Christmas more and more wonderful, each and every year:) - minus those few days before Christmas when they pushed Santa to the edge of a veryyyyyyy tall, mental cliff and he thought about throwing himself (Herself) off that cliff and dragging all their gifts with him;). But alas, Santa took mercy on their potty-mouths and lack-of shitting in the potty and shitty attitudes and brought them a few things;)



friday night, I hosted our Annual Holiday Wine Night! All 9 Wine Night Ladies bring 9 small ($5 or less), a favorite item or DIY gift, to hand out and so we leave with 9 pretttttyyyy amazing little presents for ourselves...as well as in a food-coma and a slight/full-on wine buzz;)




saturday morning we made cookies, in-between Theo's time-outs and nap;)





saturday night is our traditional Christmas Eve at my aunt Pam's! It's amazing and the photos of her decorated home do not do it justice! It's magical and we just love our yearly visit!!!:) I think the head-count is over 60 now!:)






we're still working on establishing a minimalist lifestyle over here at the Smith's Residence. Cutting back. Cutting down. Cutting out. And so after Santa came and left and we were able to step back and evaluate exactly what it was that he brought...even I (with my new-found minimalist outlook) was a little like: "oh, shitttttt". Cause I definitely felt like I'd been shopping since October and yet, we didn't have much to show for it:/ - that may have been a more personal/selfish situation that I'm alsooooo working on;).
BUT Christmas morning came and they slept-in until almost 9AM and Jacob and I had coffee together while we waited...anddddd waiteddddd...for them to wake up:) We consider that their gift to us:)

they loved everything. And everything wasn't a whole hell of a lot! They got one group gift (this indoor trampoline) and then only about 1 Santa gift each (Lincoln Logs for Homer and Mega Bloks for Theo) and then just a few very small things from Jacob and I - Rocky basically didn't get anything cause what the heck do you buy a 1YR old?!, no really...he only got gloves. That's it. For real. And they were just soooooo happy:) Jacob and I both sat back - well, I sat back while Jacob and Homer had an "epic" - in Homer's words;) - Nerf-gun War:):) But there were a lot of watery eyes on our parts:') 

a few of the favorite gifts...

a catering shirt, just like Dad's, for Homer:) - from a local establishment, Designer Advertising.

a cat hat, for Theo:) - found HERE.





on Christmas Day we hosted 2 family get-togethers!:) A late lunch with my aunt and uncle anddddd sisters and 2 husbands and our 16 kids and mom and dad;) And then later we hosted Jacob's family...his mom, dad and sister!! 


coy and Papa:) 

 tired babies:)

will-b . john-boy . psycho...I mean theo;)

stocking caps from Love Your Melon - gift from my mom and dad, for each of us:)
Wonderful hats, wonderful mission behind what they do! Check them out!


i think once you have these babies, ALL you want to do is make them happy. See that smile on their face. Give them ALL THE WORLD AND MORE! But it's also our job to create reasonable boundaries and expectations (but not burst their bubbles and keep the hope and magic alive!!!!:) and teach them to appreciate anything and everything they're given, even if it's nothing at all. So I'll admit, I was fearful that they would be disappointed but their joy for what they did receive, surpassed all my hopes:)



so there you have it...our Christmas. A few gifts, a ton of good company and all our favorite traditions: Holiday Wine Night, Christmas Eve with family and then Santa comes while we watch Christmas Vacation:) Christmas morning together, in festive PJ's for Jacob and I and matching festive PJ's for the kiddos:) And then all the Christmas Day get-togethers!

and I was going to include some tidbits about what's to come in 2017 and maybe I'll do another post on another day but for now...I think I'm just going to continue trying to improve on those little, daily things, our routine, the things that make our days happier and easier:) Make more time for myself. Try to cook once or twice a week;) Try not to eat junk as often. Stay patient. More random acts of kindness and giving and include the kids. Make lists. Mark stuff off my lists. Slow down and enjoy all our days together:)



"the true secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life." - William Morris

this quote feels incredibly fitting for my life, currently:)

merry Christmas and Happy New Year, friends:) XO

Thursday, December 15, 2016

theo daisy: 31/32 months and rocky peyton: 12 /13 months

post by casey



who poured a glass of milk into the Christmas tree water!??!!?!?!? - I can tell by the way that the whole house now smells like vomit (it wasn't discovered right away...like, longer than 3 days...so yeah, like a freaking week...and a 1/2:/).

the kids are growing older...I sometimes question the wiser part;)


my sister and I were just discussing how complicated delicate HARD it is to encourage your children not to be complete psychos when you yourself, suffer from psychotic tendencies;)
Theo Daisy was not waved of mood swings and irrational thoughts and actions and drama and painful meltdowns. Of course she's napping peacefully, at the moment, so I honestly can't think of one example of her being a crazy-person?!;)

oh man, she's a handful...kinda...is she?...I forget cause again...sleeping angelically, currently;)...I love her big personality and how I really can't understand 60% of what she says, which has me agreeing to 90% of what she says...leading her to do a SHIT-TON of shit that I don't want her doing. Miscommunication is our strongest bond;).

all my "sureeeee?!?!" and "okayyyyy?!??!!" have led to her painting her own nails with my bright red nail polish...or wiping her own ass with an entire roll of toilet paper...or removing EVERY.SINGLE.ITEM from Rocky's dresser and putting it all into his crib. Oddly enough - or not;) - each scenario has looked like a murder scene involving: red nail polish. actual shit. baby clothes. She's the best!! Where is she?!?! - SLEEPING. Phew;)

anyways. She's not doing a whole heck of a lot. Besides being obsessed with her vagina. Legit.Obsessed. It's been a problem on occasion...like when she's peeing and wants to watch herself pee cause Homer can watch himself pee so she wants to watch herself pee and then Jacob wondered why her pee didn't come out in a perfect straight-as-an-arrow stream and then my face went all: WTF?. The end. Vagina obsession. Now I'm done;).

if I were speaking with her pediatrician though...this would be a whole different kinda conversation. One which would involve a lot of praise and a lot less "I CAN'T UNDERSTAND A FUCKING WORD SHE SAYS!!! and SHE IS CONSTANTLY FUCKING WITH HER VAGINA!!!". Nope, just praise and nodding and lies;).

oh, Theo Daisy. I love you so much. It's ridiculous. Really. And I'm so happy to have a girl and I'm glad you, exactly YOU, were the one to make me a girl mama. Had you been a boy...well...I don't know. But I will forever be grateful you're here...upstairs...sleeping. Here:)


theo and willb



these are both frightening;)



and then there's RockyP...





it's SOOOOO obvious he's ready for a baby in his life...a babyyyyyy sibling - no I'm not pregnant;)! I can tell by the way that he's getting SO FREAKING OLD and replacing my baby with a baby is justttttt the remedy;) I kid. He'll always be my baby and I have plans to over-step my 'mom-bounds' well into their 30's;)

rocky is still perfect. There's no change there;) But he's a rascallllll. He doesn't like being told 'no' - who does;). When he's hungry...it's already too late - I can relate;). He says "mama" and "dada" and kinda waves bye...you'd never be able to tell but I'm pretty sure thats what he's doing...sometimes?...when people leave...or arrive...or are smiling at him...So that needs a bit of work;). BUT he's got eating down. And crawling. Champion crawler. Walkingggggg - again...IF I were speaking to his pediatrician, I'd be telling her that he doesn't walk in front of strangers but if we were at home...NO SLOWING HIM DOWN, WALKS SOOOO HARD, STOP WALKING YOU WALKERRRRRR. Lying so much to medical professionals seems...oddly, easy;)
Nah, he's not close to walking...he walks next to stuff. Climbs onto the couch and gives me that "I just did that" smirk;). But you try to get him to walk and he's all: NO. Feed me and let me drag my legs around on the hardwood for at least another 3MO
People are starting to place bets on his 9MO old cousin, walking before he does. Sorry Rock...my money's on her;)

other than that...we wrapped up nursing a week before his 1st birthday:( Such a great and smooth journey and soooooo so happy to have accomplished that with him! But having my body back and a little more freedom has been pretty special too:) Jacob and I actually booked a quick getaway to Tulum, Mexico in February. PEACE OUT kiddos!!!!!



How much do I love you?

I'll tell you no lie
How deep is the ocean?
How high is the sky?


How many times a day do I think of you?

How many roses are sprinkled with dew?
How far would I travel

To be where you are?
How far is the journey
From here to a star?


And if I ever lost you, how much would I cry?

How deep is the ocean?
How high is the sky?

- Irving Berlin

Monday, December 5, 2016

almost famous.

post by casey



this is probably one of the most time-consuming and adorable things we've ever done!!! And after stumbling upon it...almost 4YRS?! later...it is clear that we need to do another...soon!:) - you may remember seeing this video years ago on our other blogs:)

something to observe while watching...Rocky and Homer are twins. Twins born 3-1/2YRS apart. It's almost creepy. Same baby. Exact. Same.

there's no real 'point' to this video...but posting something with no point is kind of the underlying tone of this entire blog. You come and when you leave...you're mostly, entirely, unchanged;)

enjoy:)

video footage: Courts
video editing: Casey
toddler/baby talent: Rowdy Smith, Homer Smith, Jax Hannula

Friday, December 2, 2016

hot glue guns (SHOULD) rule the world.

post by casey



do you have a hot glue gun? Am I the only one, just now - in my verrrryyyyy early 33rd year of life - discovering how life-changing having a hot glue gun is? 

well. If you don't have one...I'm tellin' ya...stop what you're doing - which is probably almost falling asleep because you just discovered that this post is loosely centered around a hot glue gun - WAKE UP and get your ass to the place that sells hot glue guns!!!!

jacob came home with a hot glue gun for me the other day. Anddddd a food dehydrator - I'll save that excitement for another blog post;). This glue gun has seen a shit-ton of action since - so has my husband cause HOT GLUE GUNS ARE LIFE CHANGING!!!;). There's literally NO problem that can't be solved with this freaking gun. For real. Give me a problem. Try me;)

i seriously fixed 7 things within 20min of getting this hot glue gun. All the broken things...are fixed!!!!



vs. 
reality




my dad was kinda enough to set-up his drill-press for me, which made hallowing out these corks SO much easier!!!:) And now I'm running out of corks and gave up alcohol and so yeah...where my wine-guzzling friends at?!?!? Hit me up;)





these little guys were relatively easy to make and I'm still finessing the process and how to make sure that little plant stays alive as long as possible and maybe how to sell and ship them online??? BUT doing this definitely got those creative juices flowing. Not gonna lie, having 3 little kids running around doesn't leave me much time - if any at all...actually, negative amounts of time...like, I need more hours in the day...what day is it???;)
POINT: it was fun to do something for me. Create something and then have a few people give me some positive feedback and even purchased a few of them! Can you tell I'm desperate for some positive reinforcement/genuine compliments?;) I haven't showered OR left the house in what feels like a few weeks, so I may be hard up for some social interaction;)

hope you guys are filling your 'creative/me-time tanks' in some way or another!!!!:)

shameless plug innnnn 3...2..1....
IF you love these little cuties as much as I do...I AM taking orders - only for those locally or able to pick-up, until I figure out the shipping situation!:) I'm selling them for $2/ea or 3 for $5!

xo.

Sunday, November 27, 2016

for every year this Christmas tree, brings to us such joy and glee.

post by casey


the argument you don't want to be having...AT the Christmas Tree Farm...is who was supposed to bring the money! Oops;)


WE GOT A CHRISTMAS TREE!!!!:) It's perfect and just shy of 9ft tall and only set us (I mean, Pigg - thanks for spotting us the cashhhhhh;) back $23!!! 



anyone else obsessed with this time of year? 

anyone else having a hard time finding the perfect Spotify Christmas Playlist - taking suggestions!!!!?? 

anyone else currently wearing a Star Wars Themed Festive sweater - HERE -  from the youth boys section at Target? Just me?;)



L Theo and Rocky almost look the same damn size!!!!
R Homer falling on his ass;)







this little, local place, was called Golden Feather Game Farm out of Spencer, WI. SO cute and festive! They've also got a zoo of sorts, in the summer, that we plan to come back to visit - $5 per person:).

when I was a kid, we went and cut down a tree every year, that I can remember! This little place only had pre-cut trees but was still a great experience for the kids (and less work for Jacob;). We'd love for this to be our yearly tradition but in the past - because of newborns or wayyyyy below freezing temps - we've had to send Jacob to the gas station:/. SO we'll see what next year brings but this place will be my top hope for our future Christmas trees!!!:)