A Little of This, A Little of That, and a Lot of Cuteness

When Lailey was first born, I kept my small point-and-shoot camera on my kitchen counter at all times, always ready to capture a cute photo or video. Then when I got my dSLR camera a few years later, I stopped that because it was bigger and more expensive and the counter was not a safe place. Then I got a smart phone. Although not a necessity, I thoroughly enjoy using it to stay organized (okay, semi-organized), and capturing memories on the go. I am pretty good at photo storage and organization due to the photographer side of my brain, but sometimes my phone pictures are too good to delete but I don't have a place to put them and so they stay on my phone...indefinitely. I have waited long enough, and this post is the result of my cleaning off many good pictures and saving the memories in one place. After all, this blog is for me. Others enjoy it, yes, but I blog to remember all the wonderful moments that would otherwise be so easily forgotten in the fast pace of life and parenting. So here's to a year or so of random pictures...

This was last December, taken after we picked out our Christmas tree
and were about to enjoy our traditional post-tree-picking-meal at the good ol' Waf.

Lailey learning the very important skill of writing her name this past year. Go to  http://www.handwritingworksheets.com/ to print your own.

A common sight in our house. They love dressing up! Maddox will probably hate this picture someday since he's wearing his sister's dress shoes and carrying a purse. 

Crazy morning hair

This is what we called "redneck hot tub"

A ride at Granddad's house (Davey's grandfather)

"Mom! I just got baptized! In the bathroom sink!"
True story.

My little man loves to wear a tie

Lailey before ballet camp

Maddox learned to climb the ladder at the playground all by himself.
(Sniff) He's getting so big.

Just having a tea party, Mom

I don't think there's a kid who loves the Chick-Fil-A cow more than Maddox.

Makin' some bagel pizzas

On our Mommy-Lailey date - she was sneaking sips of my frappuchino

Love that helmet...and that face!

No words.

Family trip to Lowe's for...something. Not a riding mower, that's for sure.

What 2-year-old refused to take off the birthday sombrero that was bigger than him? Mine!
He loved that hat and the sopapillas.

We painted random shelves we had and put them on our walls
for some MUCH needed movie and book storage.

Play time with puppy dogs

Riding in the "car cart" at the store and getting some snuggles.
Can I tell you how much I love the fact that these two adore each other?
MOST of the time. Don't worry, they're still normal and fight like siblings.

How I found him after nap. He loves his blanket.

Three little Akins at an Akins concert.
Maddox is never without pens for drumsticks.

Ballet camp was fun but Lailey decided on gymnastics instead for the fall. 

My children are rarely fully clothed at home.
Notice the dinosaur tattoo (upper right arm) and the boots.

I turned THIRTY!! 

This child can EAT. He continually amazes people with his ability to put food away.
And he is STILL so tiny!

For once, Maddox is not in on the dress-up action.

"Watch, Mommy!"

Lizard at the playground

No joke, Lailey was reciting her memory work for school this way!
We're all about kinesthetic learning around here.

Happy Hanky-Wanky

Lailey's new hat she picked out

There it is! Fun randomness from this year. Did you have a favorite? Leave it in the comments. :)