2013: A Year in Review

2013 was a big year for us McOmbers! And I'm still in complete shock it is over, how is it that time speeds up...?! 

Review:
2013 was certainly going to bring big things from the get go. We were scheduled to close on our first home purchase in January. And due to welcome our sweet baby girl in May. 2013 was certainly our most expensive year to date! Buying a house is no joke! Along with our first new home we had to purchase a fridge, washer and dryer, and a new King bed (Our FIRST bed purchase in our marriage!-- Yup, We were still using my old bed from high school! Ha!) to go inside it. In addition, we also had to upgrade our car situation to a sweet Mini Van with the addition of our sweet baby girl. Speaking of that sweet baby girl... that's another HUGE expense to add to the long list! ;) Here's to hoping 2014 is much easier on our pocketbooks and bank account. 2014: the year of saving! Maybe 2014 will bring a fun vacation for Shad and I instead!? :)

Owen (Age 3):
Owen continues to amaze us everyday. It just doesn't feel right saying he is only 3 because he speaks, acts, talks, and is learning things like a 5 year old. He will be 4 in just about 6 weeks, and has been eagerly awaiting his big birthday. Owen learned all about his states this year. He knows them all by name, shape, and each state flag. He can locate them all on a map, on just a blank outline of the U.S. No joke. He also has upgraded from letters and spelling (that was SO last year!) to numbers, counting and math! He is my little math whizz! He can count to 100 by himself. He actually counted to 200 the other day. So he's pretty solid on counting. And his current obsession is math. ALL. DAY. LONG. He continually asks me Whats _____+_____=?? He can pretty much add on a first or second grade level. He knows double digits too. Like 60+60, and 30+40, and 99+12...etc. Its just how he plays... he plays by learning. Its seriously all he wants to do. With a few trains thrown in there! Meaning, yes, the Thomas obsession is still going strong! He loves trains, legos, puzzles, and games. And he will probably start preschool sometime this year. Owen is a very kind, intelligent, observant, dramatic, thoughtful, and stubborn little boy. We love him to pieces!

Nathan (23 Mo.):
This was a big year for our Nathan-Man. He turned one in January, and is already closing in on becoming my big two year old! He took his first steps in February and was walking like a pro by March. He's upgraded from a high chair and silly baby food to regular food quicker than Owen ever did and sitting at the table like brother. He is still my best eater and I LOVE it! He talks like a pro, too! Big Brother, Owen, has had a huge effect on him. Nathan can speak in clear complete sentences, ask questions, and sing songs. I've never had any communication issues with either boys. Whoop! He can recognize almost all of his letters and is also doing well with numbers too. He pretty much copies every single thing Owen does. I mean, everything. He wants to play, talk, run, jump, dance, sing, eat, draw, sleep...etc...just like Owen. It's pretty dang cute. And luckily he has such a good example to follow, he'll be adding, counting, spelling, and talking like a pro soon! He was also just upgraded to a big boy bed last month, and has never looked back! He loves his big boy bed, just another step in being like brother! Nathan loves planes/helicopters, cars, trains, legos, toy vacuums (yup, you read that right, vacuums!), and coloring. Nathan is a very sweet, gentle, caring, loud, mischievous, happy-go-lucky, and silly boy. We adore this little goober!

Kaisa (7 Mo.):
Our sweet Kaisa. She is just my angel baby. This was a big year for her, considering she was born on May 5th. We all instantly fell in love. Even her brothers. Neither have had any jealousy issues with her. (They are mainly competitive with each other!) Kaisa is just a sweet, little, lovable girl. Her little personality is coming out strong. She is our social little bug. She loves being held and attention from others, especially big brothers. She can sit and play contently for a long, long time on the floor with her toys. Especially if brothers are swirling around her. She loves to reach for things and play with new toys. She has started to babble a bit, and I swear I caught her a few times saying "Mama!" Which reminds me, that girl is one happy Momma's Girl! And I love it! I got to take it all now, before she switches to a big Daddy's Girl! She loves hugs and gives the best baby hugs around. She also loves food. She has been great about eating solids and is always very interested in what everyone else is eating too. This girl still wants to be swaddled at night, and still wants to sleep in her baby sling... NOT her crib! (Dang it!) Her New Year's Resolution will be to sleep through the night in her crib! She isn't terribly close to crawling yet. But she can scoot all across the floor on her bum. But I'm fine with her staying immobile for awhile, her brothers keep me busy enough! Its just not fair how quickly the baby stage goes. She is continually growing and changing. And if possible, getting cuter by the second! Its going WAY too fast, and Shad and I don't like it one bit! She is our tiny little peanut, and oh so loved.

Shad (Age 31):
Shad completed his first year in his 30s... and hasn't looked back. 30 has been good to him. He continues to work very hard as an attorney in Tacoma. Its long hours, and stressful work. But overall, he enjoys his job, his coworkers, and the atmosphere. He is thriving, and fits in well there. We are continually grateful for his job, and the support it provides our family. Shad is the ever sports fan and continues to support our beloved BYU cougars through thick and thin! Die Hard, my friends. As a bonus he is happy to cheer on the Seahawks which are doing awesome, and can always put this sports fan in a good mood! He loves to play with the boys and wrestle. And the boys adore Daddy. Nathan is such a Daddy's boy and follows him constantly around the house. They are best buds. We all love the days when Daddy gets to stay home! Shad also has started working on some house projects, and our resolution is get the back yard finished this year!

Krista (Age 28):
What's left to say!? These four people above are my life. I live, eat, breath, and sleep kids. My life went crazy once I had three! Its crazy, but I certainly wouldn't have it any other way. I feel pretty well adjusted to 3, but still am cautious to leave the house with all 3 or be alone at bedtime! Someone is always napping or eating so days can be long indoors. But I enjoy being home with them and watching them learn and grow. And I know that this time is short lived and soon they will quickly grow and be onto a new stage. Plus I am lucky enough to have my parents here close, and Super-Grandma just down the street! That's how I stay sane! ;) I enjoy keeping up my house and searching for new projects. I have made some bigger strides in photography. I have purchased new editing software and have take a few photo sessions these last few months. And I am eager to pursue this hobby and further develop my talent.

2013 was wonderful. Bring it on, 2014! :) 

 Happy New Year! 

Love, 

The McOmbers

Photo Friday

This week was just too good! There were too many good/fun moments and I couldn't pick just one picture this week. It must be this time of the year!! So... Here is our week in iPhone pictures!! 

On Saturday morning we took the kids to go meet Santa. Owen was more excited than he looks here and Nathan cried. Kaisa did surprisingly well! But this was the best shot of all of us. 

Nathan eventually warmed up and was happy to give him a hug before we left. I think mainly because Owen was so willing to get cozy with Santa. 

Kaisa experienced her first time sitting like a big girl in a cart! The carts at Hobby Lobby are so small, just this little pipsqueak's size! 

Nathan is really into hats. He found this Santa hat the other day and was happy to wear it all morning. 

Kaisa has now mastered sitting up on her own. She can sit for a long, long time just playing with her "baby toys" as the boys call them keeping herself entertained. Such a sweet girl! 

We woke up to a light skiff of snow a few days ago. It was hardly anything, but the boys were excited. So we made snowflakes to hang up in the window. Oh man, did they LOVE it! I absolutely love Owen's snowflakes he made, he was so proud! 

Later that same night, Owen put together this "computer" to play on. I love how creative he is! His 'keyboard' has all the whole alphabet! 

I think 'Selfies' are so dumb. But if you add an adorable little baby to the mix, they can be pretty cute! 

Again, with Nathan. Both the boys are really into 'snuggling!' (Or 'nuggle' as Nathan calls it.) Ummm... Yes, please! I love it and will soak it all up!! 

Fort building happens almost daily in the McOmber home, and so does playing Uno Moo in the fort. 

Kaisa is growing so fast. Eating bottles all by herself! Here the little stinker got too lazy to hold it herself! Ha! 

So there's a peek into us right now. A small peek into my life as a mom of three of the cutest kiddos around! And really could you have picked just one pictures either...!? 

Photo Friday

A Friday tradition. A single photo from the week. A single sweet moment. A moment to savor, cherish, and remember. 

Nathan helping Momma and feeding sweet Baby Sister. I'm a lucky mom! 

Thanksgiving and Such

We had a GREAT Thanksgiving weekend! It was just so great to spend lots of down time together and take a break. We didn't travel anywhere, or host a huge dinner party. It was very chill and relaxed. We just had fun being together as a family. Shad was able to have four days off and we took advantage of each day! Here is what our Thanksgiving weekend looked like in pictures... 

We started off the day before Thanksgiving, making our "Thankful Turkeys." Owen made FOUR! And I made two, while Nathan napped. Owen did a pretty good job thinking of things he was thankful for. Eventually though he just wanted to write things he could spell (like "fox"). But some of things he wrote were Trees, Grandma, Mommy, Daddy, Julia (Cousin), and Trains.

When Nathan woke up I took some pictures of them just playing and holding our Thankful Turkeys. 

These two boys are so hilarious!  

So proud!

Nathan is always willing to Ham it up for the Camera. 

Kaisa was not too far behind, just playing with her toys. She is SUCH a JOY to me. And an angel baby. 

Later that night, Grandpa and Grandma came over to help Shad build Nathan's brand NEW BIG BOY BED! Oh the excitement! Nathan was so excited to get a bed just like Owen's! He had been asking to sleep in Owen's bed for naps and such... so we knew it was time. He's been sleeping great in it; for both naps and night time. I cannot believe my Nathan is so growing so fast! 

Whenever Daddy has something to build, the boys are immediately ready with their tools to help! It's pretty cute! 

 Best Buds. 

He was so thrilled. The excitement still hasn't completely worn off either. We also FINALLY hung up the Boy's names we made on the wall above their beds. 

 I actually did not take any pictures on Thanksgiving Day! Can you believe that?! But it was wonderful. Shad went off to the annual 'Turkey Bowl' in the morning to play football. While I spent it making dessert and with the Kiddos in our jammies playing games. 'Dinner' was early this year at 2PM! We went over to our friends home this year, The Miles. They usually spend Christmas Dinner with us, and are good friends with my parents. They put on a wonderful spread with lots of yummy desserts we got to take home! 

Since dinner was so early, when we came home I was able to prepare a surprise for the Boys. I made a treasure/scavenger hunt that took them all around the house. Along the way they had to put on Jammies, pack an overnight bag, put on shoes and get in the car. The surprise lead them over to Grandma's house where the final surprise was waiting: Popcorn, the new Monster's University Movie, and a sleepover at Grandma's! The boys were thrilled... even if they only made it half way through the movie before losing interest! :) Still fun. 

Later that night I did an impromptu "Black Friday" shopping trip with my friend. I had no plans to go, but had the urge. We headed to Target at about 9:30... and it was GREAT! It was so chill. We found all the movies we were looking for and other misc. items. And then there was no line, so we walked right up to the register. It was perfect. Home by 10:45! 

On Friday morning we went with Shad's sister Heidi's family to go cut down on our own Christmas Tree!! Growing up I always had real trees, and Shad was very open and excited about the idea. We were sold when we found out they were going down to Pacific, about 5 minutes away from our house to get it! Perfect. 

The cousins. Its perfect, one girl per kid! Our kids LOVE their cousins, and I'm pretty sure the feeling is mutual. We love having them so close! 

Karissa was so great with Kaisa. She held her almost the entire time. She was even asked if Kaisa was her first baby! Haha... such a natural!

 Julia with Nathan. 

 The boys enjoyed the hunt for our perfect tree. Some were so big they could fit underneath! 

Such a ray of sunshine, this girl. Perfect in every way. 

 The Gaffney girls with their tree! Karissa, Victoria, and Julia. 

We found our tree! Its the one on the right of the picture. 

 Cutting down our tree!

More Cousin pictures. 

The Gaffney Family

 Our family. 

So we brought home our first real tree, for our first Christmas in our house! It was a little chaotic getting dinner, Christmas decorations up, and setting up the tree... so I didn't get many pictures of the kids decorating the tree. 

The tree and location. 

 Setting the star on top!

 The final product. 

Saturday was another chill day. Were were supposed to go see the new Hunger Games movie with our friends. But when we found out the final BYU game of the season was at the same time as the planned movie we decided to hold off till this weekend. So we headed over the my parents house to watch the game. The boys helped my parents decorate some more and were excited to have another tree to help put up! Halfway through the game my mom and I decided to go out shopping while the kids napped and Shad watched the game (We win!). We found some good deals... mostly for ourselves! :) Man, I better get crackin' on my shopping!

When we came home, my mom had more decorating to do with the boys and the boys eagerly helped set up a gingerbread house. They were so happy! 

Look at that concentration! 

I think the 'S' is for Santa...? But it turned out very cute and the boys loved it. 

Sunday after church and dinner. We had FHE and decided to do another fun craft with the kids. We made a paper chain to countdown to Christmas. Christmas is so fun! So many fun activities and things to do with the littles! I love this time of year! 

Our paper chain. 

So many things to be Thankful for. We are truly blessed with wonderful, healthy children. Loving, helpful, and amazing grandparents who live so close. A beautiful new home to celebrate in. And a Savior who gave us everything.