Interesting facts…Hope my new blog is as successful!

The stats helper monkeys at WordPress.com mulled over how this blog did in 2010, and here’s a high level summary of its overall blog health:

The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads Wow.

Crunchy numbers

A Boeing 747-400 passenger jet can hold 416 passengers. This blog was viewed about 6,800 times in 2010. That’s about 16 full 747s.

In 2010, there were 209 new posts, not bad for the first year! There were 595 pictures uploaded, taking up a total of 142mb. That’s about 2 pictures per day.

The busiest day of the year was October 19th with 160 views. The most popular post that day was In my heart…..

Where did they come from?

The top referring sites in 2010 were facebook.com, blogger.com, thepapermama.blogspot.com, mallardcovemommy.blogspot.com, and thetrendytreehouse.blogspot.com.

Some visitors came searching, mostly for schrocksters live, alphabet photo challenge, opposite attract decorations, “dirty 12” foods, and collage ornament.

Attractions in 2010

These are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010.

1

In my heart…. October 2010
18 comments

2

Our little Georgia Garden Gnome October 2010
20 comments

3

Our Garden Brings More Than Just Food…. October 2010
21 comments

4

New Santa Doggy…. December 2010
22 comments

5

Mums the word…. October 2010
20 comments

Out with the old….In with the new

Out with the old…for 2010 and in with the new for 2011. I got this ornament for Christmas and not only do I love it for what it is….A camera with my blog so crookedly written on it. Perfect! It gives it such character but it was also a perfect ending to such a great year and wonderful blog! I’ve enjoyed writing on this blog and have gotten to know some really great people. I’m preparing to print this one out into my first book for 2010, a nice memento to give the boys when they get a little older. With that being said though, I’ve also decided to change blogs. I’ve decided to try a different blog host and I’ve also decided to remove names just for safety reasons and to use little nicknames for my boys and the rest of us.

This new blog is certainly a work in progress. http://ourbeatenpath.blogspot.com/ I’m not wild about the header…I’m not sure how to use blogger and I’m going to miss all my old post. But just as I made this one my own in time I have no doubt that Our Beaten Path will become a great new home. No content is changing-I’ll still enjoying posting pictures, stories, and thoughts…It’s just the name.

Hopefully I’ll begin my new journey if not today then tomorrow to start the new year!

Happy New Year Everyone!!! Don’t forget to follow me on over to “Our Beaten Path!!”

Our White Christmas

Our area had it’s first White Christmas since 1963. While we didn’t wake up to a blanket of snow on the ground it did eventually come and when it came it was gorgeous. I’ve taken several pictures of the snow but for this wordless(ish) Wednesday I thought I would share a few of Keagan taking a trip on the sled.

As you can see he was extremely excited when the snow finally started to fall:

Waiting for the ride of his little 4 year old life: 😉

Taking a ride with Daddy at the “wheel”…

Uncle Tye & Keagan’s turn:

WIPEOUT!!!!

Of course we can’t forget Easton. This was his opinion of the snow:

And while I’m at it I  might as well show a few pictures of quite possibly the ugliest snowman ever made. ;), Daddy & Mommy posing by the beaut of a snowman, Uncle Tye and Aunt Jeni, and Nanna’s house all pretty and white.

Great great White Christmas!!

Happy 1st Birthday Big Boy!!

December 27. 2009….My life was officially complete. We were blessed with you, the most sweet, gentle, loving, kind-hearted little boy we could ever ask for. You are the perfect fit for our little family of four. You absolutely love your older brother, Keagan. Here you both are waiting for the cake while we all sang Happy Birthday to you.

You bring a smile to both Mommy & Daddy’s faces even in the most serious of times. You have learned so much this year. You’ve gone from being such a tiny little dependant baby to quite the little personality. Your favorite word is, “Ut Oh.” You are best friends with your paci. Your love for food is unreal! We call you our vacuum cleaner because you will down anything in front of your face. You love sweets which was quite opposite of your older brother. You love to give kisses but only on your terms. You crack me up with your little 2 ft self roaming the house babbling the whole time. Sleep is not your favorite and we still wake up most nights to entertain you in some way-even if it’s just to put  your paci back in your mouth and rub your little belly for a few minutes. Cars, cars, and more cars! You take after every other male in this house. You love anything with 4 wheels and would rather play with a car or truck than anything else in the house. The doggy, Boodro, always makes you smile. He is so sweet to you but I don’t blame him. He’s put on a good 5 lbs since you’ve learned that its fun to feed him!

Easton, you are my baby and will always be no matter what the age! I love you dearly and wish you the best Happy 1st Birthday you could ever have. You have a big busy year ahead of you! Let’s get ready to have some fun!! I love you. xoxo

 

Journey of a snowflake

If there ever is a perfect storm it is during a snow storm. It takes the perfect combination of temperature and moisture to create something so beautiful.

If you look in the middle of this photo you will see the perfect snowflake. Did you ever wonder why as a child you would cut snowflakes out of paper in all these neat shapes?? Snowflakes don’t really look like that, I used to think. Well yes they do! Take a close look near the leaf and witness a complete snowflake for yourself!

***No two snowflakes are ever alike.***

Christmas Morning 2010

We had a very magical Christmas this year! All the preparing, all the anticipation, all the excitement….and it was everything I could have hoped for. The boys made out like a bandit. Keagan’s big presents from Santa included a basketball goal he’s been wanting and a big monster truck remote control car. Easton received lots of noisy….very noisy toys- (Thanks Santa! ;)) Daddy made out with a brand new grill that is both gas and charcoal, a new tent, and of course his own remote control car to play right along side Keagan. And then me…Santa was very good to me also. I got a greenhouse for my little seedlings, a snowsuit for our winter camping and cabin trips, new hiking boots, a set of 10 wall frames to put my own photography in…Soooo happy about those!, some picture albums, and quite a bit of smelly good stuff from Bath & Body Works. We all must have been very good boys and girls this year to receive such great presents! I am very grateful and thankful!

Here are a couple of snapshots taken along the way….Our house is pure chaos on Christmas morning so I had to snap these quick when I could get them.

After Santa's Visit

Stockings full of so many goodies!

Thanks Teague & Clayton! I think it was a hit!! 🙂

Complete with winter suit & hiking boots-Let's CAMP!

Christmas 2010 ended with a bang! We did indeed have a white Christmas. As I type this we are preparing to go out and play with our 5-6 inches of snow on the ground. It also marked the 3rd year anniversary since Gram’s death. I felt her presence with me the whole day. I miss you mom. Merry Christmas!

The other woman….

My one year old has a “girlfriend”….It is incredibly sweet. When I drop off in the mornings he goes straight over to her and when I pick up in the afternoon they are always playing together. I hear during the day they are like their own little Bonnie & Clyde. Where one is creating trouble the other isn’t far behind. I think this is so absolutely the cutest and I was so shocked when I picked Easton up today to walk in to a gift from his bestie…. Little Bailey had a fun little dump truck waiting on Easton. So cute and he loved it!!

I have no doubt that he is growing up to be just like his older brother. His love for cars and trucks is unmistakable.

We’ve almost made it!!!

Have I mentioned yet how excited I am for Christmas….Oh let me see, I think I have a time or two….but we’re almost there!! Tonight Keagan is staying off at Nana’s house so we took the opportunity to pull everything down from the attic, make sure everything is wrapped….Count all the presents because yes, I am one that presentation is everything! Each present may not be something huge but I want them to walk into the living room and think WOW! I’ve gone through each of the boys stocking stuffers….and at last, I think I am ready! Not only are Keagan and Easton going to be excited by Christmas this year but a little someone told me that Santa is also going to unexpectedly leave Aaron and I a gift or two….or three…and I can’t wait to see Aaron’s face too. 🙂 What fun! Now just get me through the rest of the work week and I’ll be okay!

Also to top it off….We’re being threatened by the chance of a white Christmas. Don’t think for one minute I’m not watching the forecast on an hourly basis. 😉

Christmas Cards….

I love Christmas cards. They provide the perfect decoration every year and the fun thing about it is you never know what you’re going to get. I’ve been staring at my Christmas cards all day. Each & every one of them have their own personality and match so well to the family they came from. We received a coffee mug card from my sister and family who in my mind are famous for their love of coffee. We received a snowman card accompanied by  little birdies which would only fit my parents & their love for watching the birds. Only a football card would come from my friend in Colorado and as often as my other sister visits the beach in NY it was only logical for her family to send a card with my precious nephews on the beach. We’ve received several Christmas cards this year and I have enjoyed taking the time to look at each and every one of them and thinking about the thought process in picking out or creating them. I thank all my friends and family for sending them to me. They truly complete a perfect decoration that otherwise my home would be absent of.

**Last but not least…I may not be around much this week…Between work and Christmas-it’s a very very busy week!!**

Monkeying Around

This weekend seems to be dragging on forever!!! I’m not one to normally wish my weekend away but with it being only 6 days until Christmas-I’m just ready to get the ball rolling, get the next week of work over with and move on to what I’ve been looking forward to for over a month now.

To try and keep mine uh, I mean our minds off of the exciting weekend heading our way we decided to take a trip to Monkey Joe’s. It was Easton’s first trip there but he was a pro in no time…Keeping up with the older kids there, no problem. 😉

**The karate kid**

**Easton seeing….**

**…and then doing.**

**A Brother is a friend given by Nature**