Family Portraits

I am finally getting around to posting the family portraits that Erin Cole took for us in November. She did an amazing job. Let me clarify that; Bryson screamed 95% of the hour and a half that we met with her--- she is FABULOUS! I was seriously hoping for ONE good picture. Not only did she get several shots that I LOVE, she had them set up on her computer as a slide-show (music and all) when I went to pick them up. Thank you Erin, for doing such a beautiful job!

Here are a few of my favorites:

 

Just had to share this one. This was the face that we were trying to avoid- but glad that I can look back and laugh now. Poor baby!

So, now I have to figure out which ones I NEED enlargements of. And need is definitely the appropriate word here. These were our first family photos since Bryson was born, almost a year and a half ago.  I have decided that taking pictures might not always be good for our marriage, but these were sure worth it in the end. :)

(By the way- We took these pictures on a Saturday. I took Bryson in to the pediatrician the following Monday and he was diagnosed with a double ear infection. So all in all, he was actually doing really well to smile as much as he did.)

http://www.treasuresbyerin.com/

Favorites of 2010

I was looking back through our pictures from 2010, and decided to post a few of my favorites from each month. Being with Bryson every day, I don't notice how much and how fast he changes. Posting theses pictures is almost bittersweet; my baby is growing up way too fast. At the same time, I believe that these moments are the best life has to offer. I am just trying to soak them all in, and make sure that I take advantage of this sweet time.  These pictures are in no way a re-cap of our year; they are simply some of my favorite pictures that I wanted to look back on.

~January 2010~

 ~February 2010~

 ~March 2010~

~April 2010~

~May 2010~

 ~June 2010~

~July 2010~

 ~August 2010~

~September 2010~

~October 2010~

 ~November 2010~

~December 2010~

This seems like a lot of pictures, but I honestly had a hard time picking just these! 2010 has been an amazing year.  Matt and Amy both graduated from college and they both got married. Jason and I celebrated our five year wedding anniversary and enjoyed a trip (all alone!) to the beach. We made another trip to the beach with both sets of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and lots of cousins. We enjoyed a trip to the lake with sweet friends. Bryson turned 1. Jason turned 30! We celebrated Thanksgiving with the Strawn side of the family in our home. Zach and Shannon both graduated from college. I started a new job. The list goes on and on. We made so many memories and know that we are so blessed with such great friends and family.

In 2011 my goal is to S  L  O  W     D  O  W  N.  I am not good at this, but I now realize how important it is for my family (and for my sanity). I am going to focus on being in the moment, and quit trying to multi-task all of the time. Simply put: I don't want to miss a moment of this new year or the opportunities it brings. I can't wait to see what God has in store for the Ruples in 2011.

Christmas {Our Style}

When we got home on Sunday afternoon we discovered full stockings and the gifts that Santa left.  So much fun!

 We spent the rest of Sunday afternoon relaxing, paying no attention to the disaster that was all around us. I stayed home with Bryson on Monday and Tuesday. We played and played and played some more with all of Bryson's new toys. I also did about fifteen loads of laundry to try to catch up from being sick and traveling. The two days at home were just what we needed!

My mom came to watch Bryson on Wednesday and Thursday (Erin was taking a much deserved vacation) and then I had the day off on Friday.

Here is Bryson eating at his new picnic table with his new best friend the laughing monkey by his side. This monkey is no ordinary monkey. It laughs. Loudly. Over and over again. Jason said the only reason we are keeping it is because my grandmother gave it to him. :)

 Working on the laptop...

 On Friday Felisa came over and we had our last gift exchange.  She was so sweet to bring Bryson a sweater from Gymboree and a tray of candles for me. She also brought homemade flour tortillas that we enjoyed immediately {and have been enjoying all day today, too!}.

And last but not least, we put up our Christmas tree and decorations today.  My grandmother says that it is bad luck to put your tree up before New Year's Day.  A few years ago I warned Jason of this when he started to put our tree up early, and he said that he didn't believe in bad luck.

Famous last words of a fool...

 That's right. While he was putting the tree in the attic, he fell through the ceiling.  I heard a really loud noise and the next thing I knew all of my ornaments, decorations, Christmas tree, and Jason's legs had come through the ceiling.

Luckily some friends of ours knew how to make the repairs.

So, long story short, we NEVER pack up our Christmas decorations until January 1.

****************

So, we had a wonderful time traveling and seeing both sides of our families, but we have made a decision about next year. We have decided that Bryson will be old enough to understand what is going on, and that we want to stay home on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. This is sad {I will have spent the last 29 years opening presents with my family on Christmas morning} but also exciting {to start our own Christmas Eve/Morning traditions}. I am looking forward to a December full of family, friends, food, and balance. I've never been very good at the last one, but am determined to master it next December. So, someone please remind me of that when I am pulling my hair out and stressed about the season. :)