New BLOG!

In an attempt to reduce the amount of reviews/freebies/business type things on this blog, I've created a new one. It's called The Northern Belle's Take. That way, this one will be saved for my personal family life and yet I can still strive for high traffic on my more for-the-public posts. I might even make this one private which means people have to get approval to view anything on it. I'd love it if you'd go over there, to the new blog and subscribe to emails and follow me. And share it with friends and family. Thanks for your support!

Grand Opening!!

You're invited to my Grand Opening!

As you're probably aware, I recently started a new business and I am SO excited to share it with you! Come help me celebrate this exciting development and get your hands on the products, the packaging, and try out the amazing tools! This is NOT a Home Party. Sharing product information and answering questions is a great way for me to get more comfortable with my new business and I would love your help in making this a success. There will be food, drinks, and prizes! Bring a friend, come enjoy some amazing product demonstrations, and help me help you learn more about Rodan + Fields. Email me for specifics.

In honor of my Grand Opening, I'm running a contest for the rest of the month of January. The Amp MD roller could be yours, FREE! Contact me for details!

Christmas Season 2013 -- Houston Event

Seth's mom's family gets together every New Year's day to celebrate and the last few years has combined the Christmas event (Gift card and ornament exchange for the adults, gifts for all the kids) and the New Years event. I took pictures all day long and now they won't come off the card. I've tried several things in attempt to get them off, but to no avail. I'm hoping someone will send me pictures of that day, but until then, this post sits empty. We did celebrate though, and it was awesome!

We started the day by going to visit Grandma Houston in the new facility she's in and it was a really sweet time with just our family, Spencer's family and Grandma. She opened her presents, we took pictures, and watched the parade. And now I have nothing to show for it! grr!

The rest of the day was spent at Kim and David's and I got to really enjoy spending time with Seth's extended family. His aunt is making glass things as a hobby now and gave everyone their choice of item-- SO cool. We eat munchies and do the gifts and just relax with each other. Love those kind of holidays!

Kiddos

Cute Pic Post -- December 2013

December was a busy and fun month for us. Graham started walking this month which was AWESOME and much-anticipated. Austin's started being quite a bit rougher with Graham, though, and we're not sure exactly why, but it's been a challenge to keep him from doing serious damage to him. They've started interacting a greater degree which is nice to see.

Graham loves making this wide-open-mouth face. He's not screaming or making actually any noise, just loves having his mouth hanging open. Austin loves wearing his Halloween Superwhy! costume around the house.

Graham only goes to school once a week while Austin goes two days, so Tuesdays are our time together, usually involving a lot of errands. Always so happy to ride around with Momma.

I have this habit of accidentally dressing us all in the same color. I had a friend take a picture of us one day at BSF when I realized we were once again dressed alike.

I love watching the boys play with the Little People Nativity. Austin kept saying "The angel goes on top! The angel goes on top!"

He knows how to push it correctly, but seems to enjoy pushing it sideways better.

He's a climber and a destructor, for sure!

Someone got really sick early in the month and then everyone was sick and it was awful. But the sweet cuddling is nice.

You know what's not fun? Spending four hours at the doctors/hospital, getting diagnoses of two double ear infections and two cases of bronchiolitis plus two adult colds. At least it was a Saturday and Seth could come with me.

 Austin had two breathing treatments in office and Graham had one.

 And then they sent us to get an xray and they insisted I try to get him to wear a mask.

 Cute gown for xrays.

It's become Seth's job to vacuum once a week and the boys love "helping" him!

Caption this:

Austin requested this picture. He was proud of his tall Lego tower.

Gotta love sweet baby sleeping pictures.

We got to get dressed up for Seth's work party. I love that dress; I feel like a movie star in it.

Austin's friend Eric conveniently also has a baby brother, Mattijs. At the last playdate, Graham and Mattijs started interacting quite a bit and it was adorable.

I got this box in the mail and thought "um, ok? How should I open it? fire? teeth?"

I'm LOVING my Rodan + Fields business, and while reading this magazine, I found out that Britney uses Rodan + Fields, too! These products are amazing--even Britney chooses them!

Love cuddling with my middle man.

This bear sings the "Night Before Christmas." Gran gave it to us last year and the boys LOVE it, Graham especially. It felt extra special since we'd just lost her a month earlier.

Austin wanted pancakes and insisted on the face pieces--eyes and nose. And then he insisted on me taking a picture of him with it.

Clammering around.

There are no words. I found them like this one morning.

I took the picture for Nonnie who gave us the shirt, but I loved the smile he gave me.

Thanks, Nonnie and Gramps, for this amazingly quiet present. lol

A run-in with the remote controlled car that Turner got for Christmas left a pretty nasty mark on Austin's lip.