oh?

This picture of Mont is making its way like a train on hot tracks through our family's emails; so I thought to put it on here. This is what he looks like 90% of the time: so curiously attentive and cute! I just love his little cheekers!

here comes Santa Claus

Happy Christmas Eve!

Things to do tonight:
read biblical account of the birth of Christ
hug and squeeze Mont
listen for sleigh bells (in the sand snow)
dream of sugar plums and fairies

portraits at the park

My cousin asked if I could take some pictures of her and her son (her husband couldn't get away from work, unfortunately). I said sure and off to the park we went. This first shot (above) is my favorite of the bunch, probably because it looks like a Parisian photo.

Here are some more just for your viewing pleasure:

Tessa helped with editing a bunch of these, and the way she did this one below, you can barely tell they are outside! Jmo was full of fun faces this day:

There was a [giant - seriously, half as big as he was] squirell he chased around and up this [giant] tree.

We've found the ducks. They held Jmo's attention for the rest of the shoot.

While shooting this picture, Jmo took off towards the ducks, the ducks came straight at me, then as they curved away, Brittany shouted, "Fast! Fast!! Jayci, I hope you're fast!!" Well I got a cute one, after all!

Here is one of Britt's favorite. Isn't she looking fantastic for 6 months along? I know!

Aren't they a cute duo? I think so too.

family time

We love being with my mom, dad, and sister, but we miss you, Mark!

My mom snapped a few pictures of me and Mont on Sunday after church. It was a nice, rainy, relaxing time to spend on the floor just kicking our cares away; Mont was teaching me all his tricks.

he's right there!

Mark: Mont's going to love what I got him this year!

me: You got him something?

Mark: Ya; it's a good one.

me: Really?? What is it?

Mark: I'm not going to tell you! He's right there! What are you thinking??

(surprise for Mont: a new baby monitor - yippee!!)

my bags are packed

And only mine. Sadly Mark has to work, so Mont and I are jet setting off to the land of rain, then the land where palm trees sway.

There was an Anthropologie advertisement last month that depicted almost exactly what my bags would contain. So close... its just that their style is just a tad more stylin' than mine! But all the "Destinations" and "Contents" are the same...plus a little more cover on the swimwear.

If you're traveling, I hope you do so safely! Wish me luck with Mont. Woohoo!! Here I come "mom & pop!"

... is there any way to leave those 'travel bug jitters' at home? I could do without them stomping around in my stomach. It's a bad case of The Butterflies.

tie dyed

I took this picture with my phone just this morning. He is kicking like crazy, so sorry about the blur. I tie-dyed this onesie on July 3rd, knowing he wouldn't be able to be hippi-fied until the winter. But now he gets to wiggle away in this. Happy kicking!

freezing fog

This morning I pushed out my solitary trash can full of left-overs, empty food boxes, bags, etc. There must have been enough "smell-goods" in there though, that something with a big black beak and eerie caw was tempted to dig through it and scatter its finds all over in front of my drive way. 

I noticed this because I had more trash to take out, so I glanced out my front window and saw I still had time. I left the last trash bag open so I could clean up the mess out front. 

My red coat was the one I chose so my red plaid pajama bottoms still looked a little stylish. Opening the front door I noticed I was walking into a cloud. But as soon as I took that first step I realized it wasn't just any cloud. I was walking through particles of ice! I looked at my door stoop and saw that my Christmas wreath looked like one of those 'frosted' ones you can buy in the store. The snow had a layer of ICE on it, and the stairs were super slick. Don't worry... I have been perfecting my mountain-goat-sure-footedness. 

I thought I had walked through icy fog before... but not like this. You could pluck out the ice just hanging in the air! Poor garbage-men... I hear them outside now. Hope they're bundled up nice and tight!

hello, stranger

Driving into the city today, there was a strange fog that shrouded the bright sunlight that I was hoping to see more of. Oh well... it was still pretty.

(the air base calls it freezing fog, and yes, it did look this strange yellow color!)

moments

I love Alaska's people. Propping a bike against a gate might seem like no big deal to some, but to me I see a perfect little picture. People here set up these moments for me all the time. Many of these moments I don't get a photo of, because many of them are of the people themselves.

If I were braver, I would just pull out my camera (after having figured out the motion setting), and snapp their picture - having asked them or not. People here can be so interesting; their huge fur parkas, their aged and weathered faces from mountaineering in the cold weather for years and years, the way they wear small crampons on their shoes just to walk from one place to the next, the way their faces light up when the talk about salmon runs, or packing a moose out from 30 miles from the nearest road in thigh deep snow.

The people here are so interesting! The moments they create are so interesting. Interesting in a marvelous, intriguing, inspiring way. Even if I don't hunt, or I don't ski, I love to learn about the people and the moments around me.

it takes a lotta work

Mont has started squeal-talking this week. I think it's hilarious! Hopefully people on planes and at church will too - not likely! I love how he has to gather up all his energy, tense his face, then squeal. I love tickling him and cuddling him when he's like this. He's just such a happy boy!!

jingle bells

Using these kickers I have here, I can fill the room with the sounds of bells and chimes. It's quite Christmas-y. Mont's Christmas gift to me; I just do the placement.

Jingle Jangle!!

on the first day of Christmas

Here's my version of a snowman! Nice and warm inside.

The wind is howling outside turning the delicate little snowflakes into something fierce and unfriendly. I like my version of a snowman, where I can see him all day long, in a warm golden hue of indoor lighting.

So what is your favorite Christmas tree ornament? Go take a picture!