12-month photos for a 14-month post

hank

george

14 month tricks

• "how old are you?" {george holds up one finger}
• "how big is hankie/georgie? {used to be both hands would instantly swing up.  now, hank lets just one fly up - it's second nature.}
• goerge likes to inch hank out of the way when dad's on the floor playing with kids. hank does not like that.
• hank is a little shy with strangers.
• both boys clap when anyone says, "good job!"
• favorite songs: "go go go hankie, you know what they say...," and "there was a boy with a great big smile and georgie was his name-o..." anything with their names inserted, really.
• yesterday, while we were repeatedly trying to get the boys to perform their talents for nana and papa, george was on to us. he quickly ran through his tricks: "mama, dada," clapped his hands twice, and held up one finger. done.  
• 2 cribs + new room = uninterrupted sleep for babies and parents. halelujah! 

the cabin: a photo history

We spent the weekend in Pinetop.  Took lots of photos.  Enjoyed the cool weather and rain.  Ate delicious food.  Visited with family.  Had a little birthday party for Alice.  Attended church [it was their primary program] and ran into a friend from home.  And as is tradition, we took the porch family photo.

Fall 2010

Spring 2008

Winter 2007

Spring 2006 [we didn't do a porch photo this time]

Summer 2005 [not on the porch.  too many people to fit]

Fall 2004

Summer 2004

Fall 2003

Due to our lost-photos-fiasco, there is a lapse from 2008-2009.  Dang. 

I wanna go outside

Hanky Man and Georgie Boy are 10 months old.

• They both love to be in the pool.  Hank (in blue) and George would do anything to be out there.  On this particular day, I put down my dinner plans, and took them both out to sit in the shallow end with dad and me.  The water was unusually chilly (see Owen shivering on the diving board), but they both loved it.
• Hank has recently figured out how to crawl.
• Both boys can now eat cheerios without gagging, although it's more fun to throw them on the floor.
• Both boys love peach smoothies, we discovered last night.
• Goerge is easily startled by loud noises ( i.e. cub scout pack meeting last night).  Hank isn't really phased by them.
• I love when they laugh at/with each other.

superfluous photos and thoughts

happy...

...to sad in an instant.

on my mind:

• The babes are 2 months old. I can hardly believe it.
• Not identical {obviously} as once thought by drs and ultrasound techs.
• Kids are having fun getting them to smile.
• Weight check: Hank - 10 lbs 4 oz. George - 9 lbs 11 oz - both plumping up nicely.
• They are really very good babies, but they toggle back and forth between happy and sad effortlessly.
• Last week we were so excited when they slept 8 and 9 hours, 2 nights in a row. They were just teasing though. Sleeping IS getting better everyday {she says with hope}.
• I am LOVING playing with my new camera. I have much to learn.
• {Regarding lost photos} Do you know how much data recovery costs? You don't want to know. I don't want to know either. Except I DO know and I am sick. How do you NOT pay to get your life in photos back? 6 years worth.
• Finally got a new vacuum with Christmas money from parents. Hoover bagged Windtunnel. Love it! It got super reviews from Consumer Reports. Better than the Dyson. Sorry Dyson fans. I'm sure it's a good vacuum too. Thanks for all your advice {a year ago}. My mom and sister think I'm crazy for spending one ounce of energy/thought on buying a new vacuum. Probably Mark too, but he supports me anyway.
• Thinking about a trip to St. Kitts in a year or so?
• My crossed-over leg is asleep with George on it. It's either that, or type with one hand, which is what I usually do, and it is so very slow.

movie stats

In honor of (and to copy) my sister's list of '07, I give you my movie review of the year. I watched 13 movies in 2008 - or at least I found 13 that looked somewhat familiar on the '08 release list.

QUICK STATS:

8 in the theater. 5 at home.

6 were animated or child driven.

THE LIST, in release-date order. blue = top 3.

• 27 dresses (rental)
• Mad Money (rental)
• Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert - honorable mention
• Penelope (rental)
• Run, Fat Boy, Run (rental) - honorable mention
• Leatherheads (rental)
• Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
• Kung Fu Panda - the obvious winner
• Get Smart
• Wall-E
• Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
• Bolt
• Twilight

And below are the year's releases I would (definitely) and (maybe) like to see:

• Valkyrie
• Australia
• Henry Poole is Here
• 4 Christmases
• Beverly Hills Chihuahua
• Kit Kittredge
• The Tale of Desperaux

So what were your favorites?

Best of '07

Best TV moment: Blake Lewis beat-boxin' the AI house with You Give Love a Bad Name. If you missed it, you really missed something awesome!

Best nightly children's dance music: Blake's You Give Love a Bad Name, Here (in your arms) by Hellogoodbye, Cha Cha Slide by Mr. C. Even our almost-2 year old follows the prompts on CHA CHA SLIDE.

Best tv series to get caught up on: The Office

Best (and also worst) present under the tree: the Wii.

Best video game I played (but don't own): Guitar Hero

Best quote of Jan 1, 2008: "I regret everything I ate today." -Me, shortly before vomiting.

What are YOUR '07 bests?