Since the moment this kid graced Earth, he has been filled with smiles and joy.  At 6 months old, Carter continues to pretty much toot rainbows.  Could this be luck?  Maybe....but it's likely due to his always sunny and funny parents, Kelli + Steven.

This week, during Millie's Nutcracker rehearsals, I have intensely observed the dynamics between the children (okay...mostly girls) and their parents (okay...mostly mothers).  It's obvious that children do take after their parents in some ways, but it has become even more apparent to me just how much this is the case as kids grow up.  Children pick up on moods, gestures, tone of voice, reactions and responses, what is deemed funny and what is deemed inappropriate.  Our kids are definitely "mini-me"s in many regards.

I am so proud of Kelli + Steven for being relaxed but responsible parents.  They don't get in a tizzy when things don't go as planned, but they aren't completely in left field either.  The comfortable, flexible middle ground of a family environment that they provide Carter is going to only help him flourish, and I can't wait to document him along the way!

(And PS---I freaking love this first image.  It is SOOO Kelli.)

Millie's cousin Natalie turned 7 and e'rybody got their skate on!  There is nothing quite like seeing kids trying to skate for the first time.  I would be lying if I said Millie had less than 3 complete meltdowns.  It's really difficult to get rollin', but once you do, that feeling of the wind blowing through your hair with the sweet jams blastin' over the loud speakers will bring ya back for more and more.  Mills never did quite "get rollin'" (she's more of a Skee-Ball or Arcade Hoops kind of girl), but all of the cousins had a blast anyway!

Ava + Tatum are delightfully one year old.  We had such a fun morning celebrating their toddles and smiles and giggles, footie pajamas, and those 2 sets of big beautiful eyes.

This precious girl is finally a walkin', talkin' one year old.  Victor and Carolyn are such sweet and involved parents, that it's easy to see where "AJ" gets her fun-loving disposition.  She loves to dance, clap, climb, and even helps out with laundry...ok, the truth is that she thinks laundry is some sort of game, but I still say she's pretty advanced to put her clothes away in the hamper!  And those pigtails...I could eat 'em for breakfast with a side of bacon.  Wait, did that sound weird?  Oh well.  I could.  Delish!

After being in New York City all last week, I'm home in McKinney, Texas. 

Do I long for the charm of Art Deco sky-scraping architecture, the aromas of international food trucks, the pulsing pavement that's so frenetic it spirals me into a good mood upon first step?  Hell yes.  When I'm in McKinney, do I cover my face as the wind blows sand downhill from the construction sites, get sick of seeing cookie cutter EVERYTHING in every direction, and crave culture and diversity like my mother-in-law craves coffee?  Hell yes.

Though my dream would be to live in Manhattan, I can't help but be thankful for the things I have here.  My family has stability, warmth, comfort, love, and enough side-splitting laughter to win over the likes of Simon Cowell and Nick Saban all in a day's time.  We've got a boatload of friends who really support us and love us despite our obvious flaws and the grandmas just a hop, skip, and a jump away.  And, let's be real.  The Mexican food here is waaaaaay better.  It's easy to say that the good far outweighs the bad.  Skylines, schmylines.  I'm a very blessed girl.