Top 12 of 2012

Here are my top favorite 12 things that happened during 2012!

1. We welcomed our 2nd beautiful baby girl into the world!  Krissy Alexandra was born September 20th!  It's kind of wild to think I spent 3/4ths of the year pregnant!
2. We decided to adopt a very hyper, destructive, but lovable pup - TJ.  It took a few months for him to grow on me but I just love his big furry face now.  It has been fun to watch him have "firsts" - like playing in the snow for the first time :) 
3. We took our 1st big family vacation to Destin, Florida.  We are hoping to continue traveling once a year with the kids.  It gives us parents something to look forward to, and the kids absolutely LOVE it!  
4. I taught myself how to sew.  It's obviously not rocket science, but it's a skill I'm looking forward to building on, and I simply can not wait to make the girls matching Easter outfits this year!  So far I've made:  burp cloths, pj pants, pennants, plastic bag holders, scarves, diaper changer covers, and a car seat blanket.  I may try to make our family new stockings for next Christmas... we shall see!
5. We took a mini vaca to the Ozark Mountains.  The vacation was planned before I knew I was pregnant, but we went anyway, nauseous and all, and had a blast!  Looking forward to going back in the warm season when we can do some fishing!
6. We celebrated 5 years of marriage this year.  I know it's a small milestone, but I can't believe how fast 5 years has gone!
7. I started my "mommy books".  My mom gave me 3 blank books (one for each kiddo) this past Mother's Day.  The kids are supposed to draw or write or color in the book.  Hayden has just taken an interest to drawing and writing, so I'm gluing things in the book, writing down little stories about every day life, and I'm excited I'll have these little memories in a book.  One day the kids will love to read them!
8. I got my first gun.  It's a cute little gun I can conceal if I ever feel the need to. After the CT shooting, you just never know what kinda crazy person will have a gun and decide to use it, so this mama bear wants to be ready to protect her cubs!
9. We finally got some descent snow!!! Since Hayden has been old enough to play in snow, we hadn't had a big/wet/significant snow.  The last few days he's loved having sbowball fights and building "Frosty".  Allie liked the snow, but didnt love being cold.
10. Hayden and Allie got to be roommates.  They seem to love sharing a room together and I think that will be the case for several more years!
11. I got a new niece last July. Eleanor Rose.  I just have a feeling Krissy and Eleanor will be best buds since they are so close in age! 
12. Watching the kiddos grow has probably been my favorite thing of 2012.  Hayden is the best helper and big brother.  He can do anything as long as I am encouraging him.  He can be so thoughtful and is usually very giving.  He loves little babies and I think its the sweetest thing ever!  Allie's attitude has changed for the better this year!  She use to be so defiant, but now she minds pretty well these days.  Her nurturing instinct has been in full gear since I brought Krissy home.  She loves taking care of her baby dolls.  She told Hayden a few days ago, "I love you so much Bubba," and she constantly walks up and hugs him.  Krissy is a smiley little baby.  She's very easy going, the best sleeper of the 3 (11 hours at night is normal for her) but when she gets hungry, she uses every ounce of her being to scream and let us know she's not happy!

Overall, this past year has been great!  We spent lots of time with family, watched lots of good movies, ate lots of good food, grew several friendships, shopped when we needed to, vacationed when we wanted to, and enjoyed (almost) every second of the time our family of 5 got to spend together!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Love, The Devines

My Ornaments Dec 24

And last but not least......
December 24 - Christmas kitties
I don't remember what year we got these ornaments, and I wish I did!  They came from either Elder Beerman or Lazarus - I can't remember.  I remember not being able to choose at the store which I liked best, so I got all three.  Actually they were a birthday or Christmas present that year I got them.  If I had to choose only one now, I'd pick they grey stripey one :)

My Ornaments Dec 23

December 23 - Girly Snowflake
I mentioned in yesterdays post that in 1992 I fell in love with Hallmark ornaments,  One reason why I love this one so much is it's one of the first ornaments I remember buying with my own money (in 1994).  We went to the hallmark store the day after Christmas when all the ornaments were half off and my sister bought this one, so I did too.  I remember thinking "Oh, cute snowflake" but it wasn't until I looked closer and saw the snowflake was made up of cute little girls :) And there are hearts on there and I love hearts <3

My Ornaments Dec 22

December 22 - Open Heart ornament
This is a Hallmark ornament from 1992.  I think the reason why I love it so much is because when I was little and my mom gave it to me, I was so in love with the fact the heart opened AND inside was a little Christmas scene.  It's one of the first Hallmartk ornaments I actually remember getting. 

My Ornaments Dec 21

December 21 - Bama snowmen ornaments

While I can't claim to be the biggest Bama fan that has ever lived, they are my favorite team.  I caught about half of their games this season and I'm soooooo looking forward to the BCS Championship game that's quickly approaching!  I got these ornaments my freshman year of college.  Football season is usually over now for most teams, but not Bama!  These ornaments get me in game mode!  Roll Tide!

My Ornaments Dec 20

December 20 -Pregnancy ornament
Back when I worked at the bank, my BFF Amy gave me this ornament.  There are so many reasons why I love this ornament so lets get to it!  I had never seen an ornament to celebrate pregnancy before, so it never occurred to me to get one.  Amy didn't know my love for ornaments, so it just happened to be a perfect gift.  I wasn't expecting a gift from her so it was a lovely surprise!  I love that it's personalized too.  Kevin and I were only married 3 months before I got pregnant, and sometimes it feels like we've always had kids, so it reminds me of that first year that it really was just the two of us and our two cats. 

My Ornaments Dec 19

December 19 - Wedding Cake Ornament
It's no secret I made our wedding cake, so this was my favorite "1st Christmas together" ornament!  My parents gave it to me for Christmas in 2007.  I had a Lenox cake topper and cake knife and server, so it only made sense to have a Lenox cake ornament! 

My Ornaments Dec 18

December 18 - S'more ornament
My sister gave me this ornament in 2000.  It was her first year in college.  I remember opening the ornament and I said something to the effect of "oh, cute snowman!" and I was on to the next gift.  She stopped me and said, "Did you see what it was?"  I was like, "Um yea, clearly he's a snowman".  And I think she told me to look again and she had to tell me he was a s'more!  Now you see these ornaments everywhere, but it was such a unique ornament when I got it, that I still love it :)

My Ornaments Dec 17

December 17 - Mini Christmas kitty
This miniature ornament is about the size of a christmas light.  It's tiny!  My friend Shannon gave this ornament to me on my 16th birthday.  I think she knew I loved cats, but didn't know how much I loved ornaments.  It has always been a favorite!  I love it's little dangly legs, it's little pink pads on the back of it's feet, and the fact it's a cat!  It hangs at the top of my tree every year (which is why I had a hard time getting a picture of it) and my Christmas tree would be incomplete with out it!