you were supposed to bring the money: we almost didn't get a tree. but we did.

post by casey.



you guys, there was a moment where I said to Jacob: "knock it off before the 'Tree Guy' sees us for what we really are!!".

yesterday was crazy and Fake It Till You Make It rang true...although, we never did actually 'Make It' after all that faking;).
I don't think the 'Tree Guy' heard the arguments once we were in the van but I can't guarantee he didn't hear all my threatening whispers amongst the Christmas Trees while we were out in the wild;).

i'm so happy to have these photos because they don't tell the whole story but I doubt they'd make me even half as happy if I didn't have all those memories to go along with them!:)

ike had a blow-out.
theo had to take a dump.
homer was trying to be 'helpful'.
jacob was on the vergeeeeeee - he forgot his knife and couldn't get the tree secured to the top of the van:/.
rocky was chasing the chickens.
and both Rocky and Theo were basically ignoring us.

BUT we got a tree. And there was a moment - that moment we got home, after Theo had complained of having to pee and poop SO.BAD. the entire time we were at the Tree Farm and we rushed her to the house because surely we'd just made it after forcing her to hold it for the last hour - and she says: "I don't have to go, I'm good".
That's when Jacob and I looked at each other and laughed...manically. Cause...areyoufuckingkiddingme?!?!?!?!?!?

that being said...the rest of the night was a mix of Good Timesssss and Bad;). You win some and you lose a lot more, I suppose;). But at the end of the day...it could not be more worth it. 
Looking back. 
Maybe not at the time. 
But now. 
Especially, after they go to bed at night;).

love is...a taco holder, your dad makes, for your husband.

post by casey.

what says "let's make a 4th baby" more than gifting your husband a Valentine's Day Taco Holder that your dad made - hey, I did send him a photo and I diddddd offer to come out and help throw some staples in it;).

so yeah. I didn't have a very big hand in this years Valentine's gift but it's the thought that counts. And all my thoughts are still, obviously, on Tulum! Hence the taco holder;)

Remember this guy?!

it's a holder...of tacos...um?! HEART.EYES.

we didn't quite capture exactly what I was hoping for but I'm absolutely not complaining - because I can't...because I didn't lift a finger in helping create it;). But my dad whipped up a pretty useful taco holder in just a few minutes:)

also, an extensive search for "Wooden Taco Holders" on Pinterest and Etsy brought me to dead-ends. Is there a market for wooden taco holders!? Are you thinking, what I'm thinking? Casey's Taco Holder - wow...that sounds Rated R;). Wood You Like Me to Hold Your Taco HOLDERS. Shop name, to be determined;)

a few days ago, the kids and I did some painting/crafting and made some pretty adorable little hearts. We didn't actually put them to any use, I was hoping to have Homer pass them out to random people today while we were at Rocky's well-child doc visit...but we didn't quite have the time to wrap up that idea:/ Maybe next year!

but setting-up these little projects for them is ridiculously satisfying and productive! There was a lot of drawing and coloring and painting...for at least 40, GLORIOUS, minutes:) After that...Rocky over-turned every paintbrush water cup - yup, took me all 3 to finally figure out how far his reach was;).

valentines really isn't too big of a deal for us and my husband is very thankful for that;) I actually woke up this morning having forgotten that it was Valentine's Day! Oops;) Obviously, I (my dad - THANKS DADDDDD!!!;) still cranked out a little gift. But I have no expectation of receiving anything from Jacob and I actually have encouraged him not to go get flowers and such. That guy...I've told him a million times to just pick some flowers from the ditch on the way home, if he felt the need, but he'll still run into the store and that target on his back has him walking out with a $40 bouquet of Gerber Daisies and yeahhhhhh. I appreciate the gesture but at this point in my life...I'd take $40 in cash and 30MIN alone in the bath;)

happy LOVE day to everyone! Whether you choose to celebrate this day, specifically, or rebel against it, entirely...I hope you're showing your loved ones - and they're showing you right back - daily/constantly an overwhelming amount of love:)

xo

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