The Park.

Boys.

There are some mornings when they wake up and it's as if they've grown over night. Changed. There's something in the way they make noise or move or the expressions they make that is just different. Last week, Griff said his name for the first time--Diff. (He has been calling himself YOU! for quite a while) Diego seems suddenly so aware of his big brother and thinks he's hilarious. Seeing the two of them together, happy fills me up. While I know there will be times when I will long for some moment or memory from the past, days like these make me excited for all of the things to come. Love these boys...

Four Months.

2011.

Having small children has changed my perspective on the passage of time. Looking through the last twelve month's photographs makes the last year seem so full of growth, change, and love. A moment captured for each month of the year tells the story of our days.

January...discovering that our family would grow to four, Griff starting to walk and talk

February...sharing our big news with our families, celebrating my dad's 60th birthday with a surprise party

March...sweet, miraculous Crosby being born, spending unexpected, precious time with the Smiths

April...hooray for Jose's birthday, hosting a family cookout to celebrate

May...hiking and playing at Pueblo Mountain Environmental Park, relishing Griff's love for the outdoors

June...Cape Canaveral, pretending we live at the beach, while Jose works on Orion

July...look at all of us in one place for Chris and Sam's wedding, beach time, great food, lots of laughter, got to love a family wedding--no one dances like we do, um...seriously.

August...growing a baby and a garden

September...our sweet boy, Diego Brantley, was born, all the highs and lows of childbirth and infancy, the precious baby sounds and snuggles, the sleepless nights and worries

October...back to the beach, late nights for Jose, hours at the beach for us, a visit from Duke

November...the joy of returning home, Diego meeting cousins and uncles and an aunt for the first time, Griff being so happy to see his room...and family too

December...Deo's first Christmas, many celebrations, quality family time, laughter abounding

The theme for 2011 was most definitely family. We are thankful, so thankful, for all of the love that we've been given this year. I dream of a home filled with love and laughter. This year was a great start to that. As we walk into 2012, I feel energized and hopeful, especially remembering all of the joys from the past year. May the blessings continue to grow...and may we be ever thankful for them.

Three Christmases.

One

Two.

Three.