I spent several hours yesterday uploading 500 pictures – and I’m still not done.
I then proceeded to spend several more hours painting the front entry and hallway of my house – because that totally makes sense to do right after you come home from vacation and should be getting ready for work.
What that means to you is that I have no time to sit down and write real live actual words and lots and lots of pictures of people you don’t know to entertain you with.
Lucky you.
This is Emma waiting for an airplane. Isn’t that festive?
This is Devin and me, shortly after arriving in Iowa, with my Grammy. Yes, I still call her that because that is her name.
This is my baby brother, who is.. um.. I have no idea what the hell is going on here.
This is snow. This picture was taken through sliding glass doors from the inside. Because snow is fucking cold.
These are, I am told, happy butts.
This is us. Me, my mom, and my two brothers. I have other family – other parents and siblings and grandparents whom I adore. But these people were, for a very long time, the only thing I knew without a doubt I was a part of.
This is my niece. She was a baby the last time I saw her. Leaving her, knowing she would forget me all over again and reinvent herself all over again before the next time I laid eyes on her, ripped my damn heart out.
This is Emma opening the TV her grandparents got her for Christmas. Did I mention she’s three?
This is Devin opening the telescope that his grandparents got him for Christmas. Did I mention we traveled by airplane?
This gift was actually bought for Devin last spring, which in Parkersburg speak means before the tornado. Somehow that telescope survived an F5 tornado. I guess having another carry on was totally worth it.
This is Emma learning how to change a diaper. Because she got a baby that shits itself. For Christmas.
These are a few of my girlfriends. We used to get together every Thursday to smoke cigarettes and gossip on Erin’s front porch.
This is my Daddy. He reads my blog and listens to my radio show. And he calls to talk to the kids at least once a week. He wasn’t always the most involved parent, so I’m especially grateful for him now.
This is my evil, evil stepmother. She bought low carb pizza to feed me while I was at her house. She is not my mom, but she is definitely, absolutely, 100% family.
Oh, and she’s drunk on YouTube here. Heh.
And this? This is my Jeremer. He is Jared’s oldest brother, my fellow black sheep, and one of my most favorite people in the whole entire world.
And some days, I miss him most of all.
Still can’t believe Emma now has a TV! Does Devin get a car for his birthday next year?
In my mind, I guessed that was Jared’s brother even though I so totally FAILED to come make a comment…le sigh.
Looks like you had fun and you all look awesome!
Your brothers are hot.
Oh I want to be a part of your family! and I second Heather.. your brothers are hot!
ha. I loved every stinking photo.
All those photos look awesome!
How wonderful would a winter christmas be? We spent it in shorts and a top. Stinking hot!!
Lucky thing for getting a TV! Wonder what it will be next christmas?
It looks like you had a great time. I am curious though, how in the world did you get everything home??
Beautiful family… So. Did Emma learn to change the diaper? BC if that’s possible for a three year old I am def. passing that one along to my little one before August.
I love the first one of Emma looking out at the airplanes! And your whole family is gorgeous. Y’all have some great genes!
I still call my grandma Grammy too, that’s who she is…despite that my cousins who are 13+ years younger call her Nani. Bet those presents were fun to pack to bring back home. I’m dreading that next year if we can afford to fly the 5 of us back to see the family.
Now that you mention that he is Jared’s brother I can see the resemblance. But it went completely over my head the other day.
And your niece? Biggest blue eyes ever! Emma’s haircut is cute. I’m thinking the last time I saw of picture of her her hair was longer…but I can’t quite remember.
love photo days. thanks for sharing.
i’m so thankful that you had the opportunity to spend christmas and nye in iowa.
love and hugs to you.
Welcome back to the land of the blogging.
Looks like a good haul, although my first thought when I read tv was “huh, too bad they flew so she couldn’t take it home with her”. So, did you ship the big stuff back?
Also? Telescope = coolest present ever!
You painted? Why didn’t you call me?
Great photos of great-looking people. It looks like you all had a super time and got a lot of super gifts.
Great photos, and you look awesome in fuchsia! (is that how you spell it?)
Are your brothers, like, way closer or do your brothers have ENORMOUS heads?
Now that is a snowfall.
Great shots.
The pictures are beautiful and your brothers are hot. Either of them single? lol
Did you have to carry the t.v. on the plane? And is that a Barbie t.v. or a Hanna Montana t.v.?
It looks like you and your family had a great time. That’s what the holidays are all about…family and good times.
avitable: hey, if someone wants to buy Devin a car, I’m all for it!
Don’t be a hater because your grandparents don’t love you anymore.
Hilly: well, that will teach you to miss a day commenting.
Heather W.: I know – little bastards got all the good genes.
Sandi: lucky for you, we take on new members ALL THE TIME. Seriously, show up for Thanksgiving one year and tell us you’ve got no place else to go and you are IN.
Aimee Greeblemonkey: that actually means a lot coming from the Queen of Teh Photos!
Ashlea: I just pray Emma never asks for a pony.
Courtney: the TV was purchased online and shipped AND purchased locally and opened, to be returned later.
And we had, between the four of us, 7 carry on items.
Faiqa: as a matter of fact she did. AND she wipes it! AND she feeds it!
You’re golden, baby.
Sheila: not really. We all invested in plastic surgery early on.
I’m kidding.
Kelly: what?!?! They didn’t follow the “oldest grandchild names the grandparents” rule?!?!?
Sarah: I’ve been whacking away at Emma’s hair at home. She’s begging me to take her to “the real haircut store” now. LOL
hello haha narf: you too, babe.
SciFi: the telescope is pretty much the coolest most perfect for Devin present ever. His grandparents rock the gift giving.
Dawn: I DID call you! Didn’t you get the message?
Musing: I don’t know, but that’s funny because I never ever wear it. And yet I am twice here. Huh.
Black Hockey Jesus: hahahahhahahahahahhaa – actually, they DO have big heads. Although Creed, the youngest, swears that the circumference of his head is well within the normal range.
But we? Say big heads.
NYCWD: Almost all of that snow was gone by the time we left.
B: the youngest is currently single, yes.
Lisa: It’s a Barbie TV. Or, as Emma calls it, a PINK TV!!!
We had a duplicate shipped to the house, waiting for her when she got home. She was NOT happy about not bringing the original on the plane with her.
I can’t get past the shitting doll.
…
…
Ahem… you have a lovely family and look very happy in these pictures. That makes me happy.
DUDE! The diapers are like a dollar a piece!
My problem w/photos aren’t the uploading, it’s the captioning and tagging.
And you prolly painted cuz when you got home from being away so long, it was the first thing you noticed. Vacations are good for giving you an accurate first impression of your house.
Yep. Me too. The last 100 or so are titled “I’m too damn tired to deal with this crap anymore”.
Ahhhh, memories.
No, I didn’t get the message! Because I — unlike some OTHER people who shall go unnamed — always run (RUN!) to help paint. Especially when it’s cold here in CT and those OTHER people are in FL.
You are a better woman than I.
Clearly.
*hangs head in shame*
Love all the pictures!
You and your mom look so much alike…both gorgeous!
Thanks, we get that a lot.
That we look alike I mean. Not the gorgeous thing.
I mean – thanks for the gorgeous thing. But.. never mind.
Your niece has the most beautiful blue eyes! I have a Grammie, too. And I still call her that. I’m glad you had a great visit.
She really does. And she squints them all up when she smiles. It’s adorable.
Wow, you look like you had a great time! You have a beautiful family!!!!
Thank you.
It’s an adorable cut! I love little bob cuts on little girls, I think it’s too cute. If only I could get my goddaughter to agree with me.
I love ponytails and braids and dresses on little girls.
But.. well… apparently I don’t get to make those decisions for her.
Are livestrong and other such bracelet’s stylish in Iowa?
Apparently.
Oh. My. Your niece’s eyes are just… wow. Beautiful.
I know! She just had a little sister this morning – I wonder if she’ll have them too!
Her big brother has brown eyes like their daddy.
What lovely, happy family. You are fortunate, indeed!
Yes. Yes, I am.
Beautiful pictures – you have a beautiful family.
Love the telescope – hope he has fun with it.
So far he has been really impressed by the neighbor’s roofline. LOL
Beautiful family, Britt.
Thanks, doll.
Wow, you have a totally kick ass camera. I want it!
I do very much love my kick ass camera. A lot. It’s a Nikon.
ah the bay doll that poops. My sister in law gave one to my daughter a couple Christmases ago. She “lost” the receipt. Can you say Ebay? My daughter never noticed
Oh Emma has noticed. And feeds the damn baby three times a day.
I meant baby. Damn sinus infection. And being sober.
Daddy is cute. You and Mom were rockin’ the fabulous hair, as usual.
I like how your MIL is good to you.
I was right. He IS Jared’s brother!
Enjoyable. Can we have another picture day, soon?
You WERE right! And the only one who guessed that too.
And really on the picture day? I always assume those must be boring as hell for you guys!
Britt… dammit quit sharing that link! LOL Just remember… paybacks are hell!! Love ya!!
I’m sorry, but it is my duty to spread happiness like that around the Internet. IT’S WHAT I DO!
Loved looking at all your holiday pix. Can I just say about the pix with you, your mom, and bros that you all are a gorgeous family. Great genes there!! I hope you are off to a Happy New Year.