First Month.

We've been living in our new home for a month.  We are doing great, adjusting accordingly, and embracing this new season in our lives.  Here is a roundup of our first month... pictures do speak louder than my words.

 Brandon working alongside his dad.

Shiloh completing her chores.

Our amazing heater/wood stove.

 Sister reading to sister.

 The dandelions keep us entertained.

 Oh, and Capri does too.

Shiloh's potty chart.  We are hoping potty-training-round-6 is the final round.

Can one ever have too many chalkboards?

 Shiloh is my little bug-hunter.

 Cleaning up after the girls is endless.

 Its hard to decide where to hang things.

 Big chevron planter & little get brought inside on freezing nights.

Dirty work boots have replaced the usual flip-flops.

Shiloh painting.

 Her masterpieces.

 Our second front door is my favorite.

 Napping on Mommy & Daddy's floor.

 Ah, the clean laundry that stares at me until I fold & put it all away.

 Working on hanging & framing... I can't wait to have decorated walls.

 I love my ceramic urchin.

 I don't love my ever diminishing stock of my favorite Trader Joe's items.

And Capri LOVES her some sweet potatoes and beets.  Seriously, its her favorite.

Some Creativity...

Well, we've been up to some creativity around our casa last year... we've just not shared any of it.  Remember this post from two years ago?  Well now you can see more of Brandon's handiwork.

Capri's crib.  Gosh, its so weird to think we didn't even have a real crib for Shiloh.  Its true.  She has a little mini pack and play that fit in our closet by our bedside.  She went from that tiny thing straight into a twin bed once we moved to our larger apartment.  Now we have so much room that a full sized crib AND her bed fit.  We scoured craigslist waiting for the right crib to show up, for the right price.  These older styled cribs are the kind I was hoping to find.  They have gone through so many recalls for their movable parts, so we dismantled all the pieces, replaced it with new, safe hardware, and ordered fixed-side kits that are used for carpenters who built custom cribs.  Now its safe, up to the latest crib standards, and yet it retains that vintage design I so love.  :)  We sanded it down and refinished it on our own.  Previously it was a natural wood color, but I wanted to paint it white so that it would work with Capri and then any future babies we are blessed with.

Indoor Wreaths.  They are for the girl's room.  I wanted something to hang on the girl's room door so that Shiloh could brag that it was her room... so before she is old enough to write signs like "Keep out.  No boys allowed.  Or no-parental zone."  I have hung a pretty little homemade wreath.  I bought some pretty yellow yarn and then used some scraps and other things I found lying around to decorate it.  Actually those flowers are from Brandon and my engagement party.  The other little green one is hung on their closet door.  I just used some scrap fuzzy yarn I had stashed away, and cut up some scrap felt pieces into little flowers.

Growth Ruler.  This is a pinterest inspired project.  I found it a long time ago on a blog, pinned it, and never did anything about it.  Until finally we were walking through Home Depot and I remembered the ruler project, so we came home that day with a 6x8.  Brandon helped me stain it, and I painted on the inch marks.  We have yet to hang it.  But soon soon!

Travel Signs.  Not sure what else to call these puppies.  But I saw a photo one day of a tall sign with all these places around the world and their corresponding distances... and had the inspiration to turn that idea into a piece of art for our wall.  We used scrap wood, and decided to pick places that God has sent us...  I love it.  I have a feeling it will make a great 'conversation piece'.  For now we have it leaning against our hallway wall, but we need to get it safely hung asap.

We have some more that still need photos taken, so check back later!

2012 Superlatives

We loved looking back at 2011 here, and figured we should do the same for twenty-twelve.

Biggest Lock-out:  When Shiloh locked herself IN her room... which prompted a mild panic attack on my part, and changing the door knobs on Brandon's part.

Best Dad:  When mommy was out of commission due to morning sickness, Brandon kept Shiloh entertained.

Favorite Shoe-Family Photo:  We used this to announce that we were expecting Baby #2.

Most Likely to Turn 2:  Shiloh's 2nd birthday party.

Most Expanding Waistline:  Yes, that'd be me... at only 7 months preggo.  My feet soon disappeared.

Most Airport Pick-Ups:  We picked up 9 students in 4 days for the start of our Fall DTS.

Most Excited About Baby Sister:  Shiloh was born to be a big sister!

Yellowest Clogs:  Yes, those are really Dutch clogs.  Yes, he really wears them... especially on our visit to the Danish village of Solvang where he 'kinda' fit in.

Biggest Boo Boo:  When I was backed into while in a parking lot.

Most Rockin' Tea Party:  As you can see, all the animals attended.

Best Princess Rapunzle:  She was in princess heaven!

Most Prepared:  We had our suitcase packed for delivery for an entire MONTH before Capri was actually born.  Prepared, sure.... but not for Capri to wait that long to join us!

Most Anticipated:  We had been waiting to meet this little face!  We were ecstatic to finally welcome her into our arms.  She was much anticipated.

Best Sisters:  These two.  No word.  {melt my heart}

Littlest Lady:  Capri was born weighing in at only 6 lbs 15 oz, making her our smallest baby.

Most Annoyed by the Camera:  Just look at that face!  She does not like me interrupting her coloring time.

Best Christmas Morning:  Snow + new baby + fun presents = our favorite Christmas-to-date.

Cutest DIY:  The kitchen that Brandon made for Shiloh.

Most Pumpkin-y:  Our day at the Avila Barn.

Biggest Upgrade:  When we moved out of this tiny apartment (our favorite place ever) to our new apartment which was over 3 times bigger.

Most Missed:  My sweet Dad who passed away 10 years ago (well now almost 11).

With 2012 being a year that we had our largest DTS ever, and grew our family by 1 sweet little girl, I am not sure we can top it... but here's to a great 2013!!!