Has it been awhile?

There are many times in the last few months I have sat at my computer to write. I have thought about updating the blog often enough, but finding the time, or patience has been difficult. After SEVERAL attempts at uploading multiple pictures on a very EXTREMELY slow internet connection, I gave up. completely. I refused to do it, until I had internet that would upload faster than a turtle stuck in molasses in the middle of January. I just didn't have time to sit at the computer all day waiting for those pictures to upload. So, we finally bit the bullet and broke up with our satellite/phone/internet company. We had a love hate relationship from the beginning, they loved my money, I hated their service. It wasn't always terrible, but I was annoyed with them more than I would like to admit. So it was time to call it quits. Thankfully we are now able to stream video, upload pictures and all that fun stuff without constant connection problems. Now, I should be all over this blogging thing like white on rice, right? Well, I guess there still is the issue with finding the time/prioritizing it in. AND if you know me, you know I love to have way more to do than humanly possible in the amount of time I have. But it makes life more interesting, right? Well, I will try better. To prioritize the blogging. At least for the dear grandparents that anxiously await pictures of their most adorable granddaughter that is now 1/2 of a year! WHAT?! How did that happen already?! Where are the pictures you say?! Less talk, more rock?! There is no way to completely update you without a terrifyingly long post (or multiple posts) so I will just add some highlights of what has happened recently. I may try and go back and post some missed events, but in all seriousness, I probably will just go from here on out.

Here are 2 of our trees (yes, only 2. Apparently I have a Christmas tree obsession, as I have multiple in various sizes. Is that not normal?) The pink/purpley one is our Ella tree. It is by our front door and decorated specially for our Angel. The big tree was our main tree. This year we decided to cut a tree down, which is always a fun adventure. Trees here in the south are very different than ones of my youth. This was a Leland Cypress, which I am pretty sure everywhere else in the country uses as shrubbery. I think my parents have these in their backyard (of course shaped differently/smaller) I was skeptical at first, but was amazed at how much I grew to love it (after laughing for several days at the thought of a shrub in my living room.) Once decorated it didn't lose needles, was very durable and looked very full. It even had a nice smell.

 Joseph became obsessed with mustaches, and we took a little trip to Great Wolf for a night. Completely unrelated to each other. :)

 

Baby girl developed a funny trait of sucking on her fingers. It was never the same from day to day as one day she would suck on her pinky, the next her first two fingers... very occasionally her thumb. Here she is 4 months old

 

  We enjoyed the lights before Christmas at the zoo... but after Christmas. We decided we will make this a tradition, as it wasn't crowded AT ALL. The boys loved that they had fire pits to roast marshmallows. Tasty.

For New Years, we stayed home and cooked over our fire pit and roasted marshmallows. After our bellies were full and faces were warmed, the boys camped out in our backyard and the girls slept indoors.

A few days later, we had the pleasure of a visit from this little cutie pie. Oh, and her parents too :)
The boys loved having a cousin to play with.

 This cute boy loves being a big brother. He also loves to have his picture taken. Can't get enough of this smiley face!

  This was Elliana at 5 months. We all just adore her and can't get enough of those chubby cheeks. She is quite delightful!