Goodbye 2012

Today I decided to divide my posts in two.  It only seemed fitting since some of my photos occurred in 2012 and the rest in our new year of 2013.  And please, folks, let's agree to call it "twenty thirteen" rather than "two thousand thirteen."  Don't you think it's much simpler that way?  Really, I don't know why people aren't doing that yet.  It's been THIRTEEN years.  I digress...

So picking up from after christmas, here is what the end of twenty twelve (see how easy that was?) looked like for the Williams Family.

We continued to play with all of our new goodies.  This was a new game in which you must guess what the picture on your head is depicting.






Unfortunately, it turned to tears when the kids had a tough time correctly identifying who/what they were.  Mom saved the day when she dismissed the one-minute timer in which they had to guess it in, and instead used the timer on her phone so they could take as long as they needed.


This was a quick game of Kings in the Corner that we played when dropping Taylor off for a sleepover at Grandma's with Aunt Julie.


These next two photos were taken from my mom's camera.  Apparently they had a fashion show.




When I came to pick Taylor up the next morning they had made a sign to welcome my mom home from work.  They were trying it out on me by jumping up and saying 'surprise'.


I mentioned in a previous post that Taylor likes to get Morgan up from her naps.  On this particular day Morgan did not want to get up so Taylor joined her.




Morgan is in heaven with all the new playdoh we now have!


The boys had a turn to have a sleepover with aunt Julie as well.  In fact, I felt like she got to spend special, quality time with each of my children individually this visit.  I believe special memories were made by all.


Somehow, in the blink of an eye, the year was over.  My mom bravely invites all of her grandchildren to her house for a New Year's bash, thus granting the parents a night out as well.


I could tell when I came to drop the kids off that it was going to be a very fun evening for them.






And judging from my mom's pictures, it was!












So what did Mark and I do?  We spent New Year's with a group of friends (mostly OU graduates) whom I love.


And so ends my last post of 2012.  I've tried to write this next sentence for nearly 5 minutes now.  I just don't want to sound cheesy, but I think that is unavoidable.  It's my family and my friends that have filled this year with such happiness, love and memories, and for them, I will always be grateful.

This year's music video

I love photography, but I also love videography.  I guess it's because I get to incorporate another powerful medium: music.  Music can move you in so many ways and really give a new feeling and interpretation to something.  I make these music videos about once a year.  I cherish them.  To me, they are a glimpse into our wonderfully blessed lives.  I load them on all the kids' electronic devices, and they watch them frequently.  My goal in this one was to incorporate lots of our loved ones in it and to give a celebratory vibe that commemorates the beauty in this world.  Enjoy.

Christmas Show

Here's the video of the kids' Christmas show.  If you watch closely you should be able to see me, Taylor, Jacob and Grace! Enjoy.

100 photos

I've been told that there are several people waiting on this post.  Only one person got on my case about it (okay two if you count my husband), but several more people have been asking Mark when his wife was going to get on the ball and post some photos.  It makes me happy that you enjoy reading this and seeing the photos of our little family.  I know I've neglected this blog for most of December.  It's only because I was busy making memories and not as concerned with documenting them yet.  Living in the moment, so to speak.  Okay that and I was exhausted every night.  Oh, and my computer had a little hiccup and lost three months worth of photos sending me to all corners of the internet and my phone to retrieve as many as I can.  So today I have 100 photos for your viewing pleasure.  I will try to keep the text to a minimum.  No promises.










I was trying to take a photo of Taylor for my 365 project and the other two kept jumping in. So I guess the secret of getting a photo of the three of them is trying not to.



I love this one.  Mark and Morgan were having a showdown.  He was trying to make her eat her banana.



She was trying to use her adorable expressions to get off the hook.



My annual Christmas lunch with the girls.



Charlie was not fond of Morgan's shirt.  It says "my brother is the naughty one".







Waiting in the drop off line at preschool.







Taylor had a friend over from school, and they requested a photo shoot.



I already shared one of these in my last post, but here's some more of our Santa photos.













Just some photos trying to find good light in my house.










Charlie had a play date, too.





Grace turned eight this month.  She had a rock star party, and I was the designated photographer.








I did a few Holiday Mini Sessions this month.  Here's a favorite of my two godchildren.


Here's Morgan chugging along with her old play dough.  Thank goodness Uncle David and Santa gave her some new ones!







I finally made it to Taylor's school to have lunch with her.




I went to the playground, too, but I didn't last very long in the cold.



I also went to Charlie's school party.


You are going to see a lot of photos like this one.  We played a LOT of games over the break.  Also, I counted FOURTEEN new games we received for Christmas.  We are a happy family.


This is Taylor before her Christmas show.  I was in the parent's choir so I had to get there early.  Good thing because it was PACKED.  I will try to post a video later today of her singing.



We've started a new tradition of making a gingerbread house with Uncle David.  I was amazed at how much their skills had improved in just one year.








Everyone experienced some sort of illness this month. I kept saying it would be a Christmas miracle if no one was sick on Christmas.  I'm happy to report that we experienced said miracle!


Daddy and Taylor got the complete set of Harry Potter books from Grandmama.


The kids also got some fun suitcases and a promise for a trip in their future.


I was so thrilled with the amount of educational games the kids received.  Like these magnaformers.


A new family favorite is a card game called Fluxx.


And Backgammon!


We spent the Saturday before Christmas with Mark's family.


Playing more games, of course.




Then we spent the Sunday before Christmas at my mom's house with more family.






A big surprise this year was my big sister, Julie's, impromptu visit just in time for the holidays!!




The Four J's.




On Christmas Eve morning, Aunt Jessica, her family, Aunt Julie and Grandma came over for a holiday breakfast.






Followed by some gift giving.








We had Christmas Eve dinner at Grandpa's and played, you guessed it, more games!




We came home in time to sprinkle some reindeer food.




And leave cookies and carrots for Santa and his reindeer.


Finally, the big moment arrived.  Christmas morning!  Taylor awoke at 6:50 and waited patiently until we finally woke her younger siblings up at 8:20.










Charlie used some of his own money to buy his sisters some presents.  He got Morgan this Minnie.


We always take our time opening gifts on Christmas morning.  Each received three presents from Santa (just like Jesus received three gifts), two from mom and dad, one from their sibling, and one for all of them.  After all that, Morgan was beat!


Here's the aftermath.


Last year we started going to church on Christmas day instead of Christmas eve.  It is a lot less crowded.  Afterwards, I managed to get two family photos of us in our Christmas clothing (minus Charlie's shoes).




The kids then played with some toys before leaving for Aunt Jessica's house where Grandma and Grandpa were waiting to celebrate with us.






Next, everyone snuck in a little nap on the way to Indiana for our annual Damon Family Christmas.





It might not look like it, but this was a small group this year.  There were about 11 people missing who are usually there.  Still, we had a great time celebrating with family and friends.






















Then came my favorite day of the year.  December 26th.  The day we do not leave the house.  We do not get dressed out of our PJs.  I do not clean.  All we do is stay in and play with all of the new toys we've received.


I did break some of my rules (leaving the house and getting dressed) so we could take advantage of the first snowfall.  Taylor said "Seriously?? It snows the day after christmas?"








Yesterday, I finally got around to taking Charlie's five year old photo with his white bear.  I've taken photos of him with this bear since he was 5 days old.  I was a little late taking this one because I had to buy stuffing to fluff him up a bit first.  Five years in a little boy's room really did a number on him.


Well, there you have it! Our christmas!  I hope everyone reading this had as great a time as we did.  I also hope you are able to enjoy the remaining days of 2012 with family and gratitude for all God has blessed you with.  Here's to a happy, healthy and memorable 2013!