Jakob Daniel and Everleigh Grace Hall

The Gilmans hosted a New Year's Eve party, and Dan and Jakob headed over the mountain to attend.  Everleigh and I stayed home because we were having success with sleep training, but it was so early in the process that I didn't want to risk losing momentum to have a fun NYE.  (This was the right decision, but wow, it was depressing to celebrate by myself with a bowl of Cheerios for dinner.)  The boys all had fun playing together, and Jakob particularly enjoyed eating one side of a gingerbread house for dinner.  Talk about a tasty way to end 2014! Wyatt, Graham, and I are chowing down This is the yummiest house ever I've tasted

A few weeks ago, Dan took Jakob to Button Bay in Vergennes while Everleigh was napping.  They were the only ones there, and Jakob loved being an explorer.  They even got to see a pair of bald eagles, which didn't fly away until they were almost directly underneath them! Where are all the people that live in that building? If no one is here, I'm going to start my adventure by the water It's hard to know for sure, but I was probably having some deep thoughts here Now my thoughts have shifted to throwing rocks into the lake Look at this one! If no one is here, I'm going to run around like a wild man on the deck AAAAAHHHH! Where to next? I'm a little worried about those huge eagles above my head Now you see what I'm talking about

Frigid temps + wind chills way below zero = one toddler with LOTS of energy to burn.  Dan took Jakob to the field house at our gym a couple of weeks ago, and Jakob had a blast running around.  He liked running back and forth on the painted lines and playing with all sorts of balls.  The pictures are a bit blurry because he was constantly in motion, but you can see how much fun he was having.

I'm showing the police car outside my little police car inside

We had an unseasonably warm Christmas, as well as the few days after it.  I certainly wasn't complaining about it, and it gave us a chance to get the kids outside for some fresh air.  Saturday morning after Christmas, we took them to Mount Philo for a little walk.  It was a bit snowy and icy at points, but we still enjoyed being outside. I'm not sure, but I think I'm heading in the wrong direction I'm considering the road less traveled I'm running free! Watch me catch up to Daddy I'm a mountain man Talk about a good view

Everyone was so incredibly generous with the gifts they sent Jakob and Everleigh, and we deeply appreciate the thoughtfulness.  Even though we had a small crew to celebrate with this year, we were thinking of all of our friends and family members.  Here are a few of the gifts that I got pictures of from our far away friends. Boots from Aunt Heather, Aunt Sarah, and Uncle Mark in Texas I'm the cutest Christmas cowgirl! A Cars apron from the Texas Trio I'm never taking this off Yankees shoes from Brieanne in New Jersey! Brieanne must have known how much I love cars and trucks A little sister shirt from Mommy's little sister It's good to be the baby

We had so much fun opening presents and relaxing Christmas morning.  Jakob quickly realized that the holiday poppers Grandma Janelle brought were a lot of fun, and he was screeching with delight by the second one. This breakfast is love at first bite I like to read with Aunt Karen Aren't I so cute in my Santa shirt and jeggings? My first baby doll! I certainly feel like a princess today, and now I look like one too These poppers are so wonderfully fun Incredibly blurry, but the pure joy is clear