Brothers . December 2014

December might be my favorite Brothers picture month - Christmas jammies!  This year, I also grabbed one Christmas morning of the boys wearing their "Christmas shirts" (really, just new shirts that look enough like Christmas to coordinate with the holiday, but really can be worn anytime!).

Brothers . December 2014 - Christmas shirts
(Harvick, Ryder, and Jarrett)

Brothers . December 2014 - Christmas jammies
(Harvick, Ryder, and Jarrett)

All Brothers Posts | December 2013 | December 2012 | December 2011

Brothers . November 2014

A first for the Brothers pictures - 2 from the same day, but with an outfit change!  Harvick and Jarrett were able to still wear their Gobble Gobble shirts from last year (Ryder's shirt initially - I bought 2 when I got his!).

Ryder made a "pilgrim" hat at Kindergarten, and took it very seriously - wanting to wear it to various Thanksgiving themed events!  Yes - he did in fact wear it to the restaurant for Thanksgiving dinner!

To celebrate the day, we followed our tradition of going to the Feast with the Beast event at the Hogle Zoo - the weather was nice, but just a bit cool.  The boys' fleece vests were the perfect addition!

Brothers . November 2014 - Thanksgiving morning
(Harvick, Ryder, and Jarrett)

Brothers . November 2014 - Thanksgiving, Part 2
(Harvick, Ryder, and Jarrett)

All Brothers Posts | November 2013 | November 2012 | November 2011

Brothers . October 2014

In our family, we've chosen not to participate in dressing up in costumes at Halloween.  We still have fun with fall activities, and the boys are all aware of how Halloween is typically celebrated.  They even get fun new pumpkin themed shirts (or hand-me-downs - Harvick is wearing Ryder's shirt from the last 2 years).

This has worked for us, until this year.  This year we had the introduction of (1) public school Kindergarten, (2) non-Christian daycare, and (3) public school preschool that encouraged costumes.  With all of the pressure, we caved a bit.  I was able to find some cute Batman t-shirts, and capes from the Dollar Spot section at Target.  While the boys loved semi-participating, Ryder told us at the end of the day he was glad he didn't have to wear a costume - he's never liked being the center of attention, and he saw how much attention the costume wearing kids were getting.

Brothers . October 2014 - pumpkin shirts!
(Harvick, Ryder, and Jarrett)

Brothers . October 2014 - Halloween
(Harvick, Ryder, and Jarrett)

All Brothers Posts | October 2013 | October 2012 | October 2011

Brothers . September 2014

Harvick and Jarrett were thrilled this September when, for the first time, they were able to have their very own Tomato Days t-shirt.  Ryder got one last year (Patrick gets one yearly), but they didn't have ones small enough for Harvick & Jarrett.  This year, everyone got one!

Also, a long time ago I had to stop trying for a everyone-looking-at-the-camera-and-smiling photo.  I mean, I still try, but it just doesn't happen.  And, I'm really okay with that.  This photo captures the expression of each boy more perfectly than any "perfect" shot could have done.

Brothers . September 2014 - Tomato Days
(Harvick, Ryder, and Jarrett)

All Brothers Posts | September 2013 | September 2012 | September 2011

Brothers . August 2014

In August I have typically tried to catch the boys on a day they are all in "ultimate" summer clothing - a tank top with shorts.  Oh, and with bruised shins - another summer staple, indicating they have spent hours and hours playing outside - running, jumping, wrestling - all without the protection of full-length pants!

Brothers . August 2014
(Harvick, Ryder, and Jarrett)

All Brothers Posts | August 2013 | August 2012 | August 2011

Brothers . July 2014

July was a 3 picture month, I just couldn't help it.  Also, it brought a big change to the Brothers pictures...a new couch!  Since starting in May 2011 we have used our brown leather reclining couch (or chair to begin with), but we've made some updates to our Family Room...short-back gray couches.

Brothers , July 2014 - Independence Day
(Harvick, Ryder, and Jarrett)

Brothers , July 2014 - Ryder's 5th Birthday
(Harvick, Ryder, and Jarrett)

Brothers , July 2014 - Ryder's 5th Birthday Party
(Harvick, Ryder, and Jarrett)

All Previous Brothers Posts | July 2013 | July 2012 | July 2011

Brothers . June 2014

Well, I've never been this late in posting a Brothers picture.  With blogging not happening as frequently anymore, it was bound to happen.

Although the Apraxia Walk was held a different month this year, I thought it might still be fun to capture the boys in their shirts.  They were all being a bit wild, so I only captured two shots.  I figured I'd try again on Father's Day (I had shirts made for them).  That attempt resulted in a few more pictures, but some uncooperative boys.  Some months I get a winner, and some months I'm just grateful to capture my boys together!

Brothers . June 2014 - Apraxia Walk
(Harvick, Ryder, and Jarrett)

Brothers . June 2014 - Father's Day
(Harvick, Ryder, and Jarrett)

All Previous Brothers Posts | June 2013 | Apraxia Walk 2013 | June 2012 | June 2011

Brothers . May 2014

I may need an intervention.

In my defense, I had several occasions this month where I wanted a picture of the boys captured.  And, for the most part, I had willing participants.  So...

Brothers . May 2014 - Harvick & Jarrett's Birthday
(Harvick, Ryder, and Jarrett)

Brothers . May 2014 - Mother's Day
(Harvick, Ryder, and Jarrett)

Brothers . May 2014 - Apraxia Awareness Day
(Harvick, Ryder, and Jarrett)

All Previous Brothers Posts | May 2013 | May 2012 | May 2011
Linking to these just made me realize that May is typically a hard month for me to narrow it down to just one picture.  I'm not sure if that makes me feel better, or not...

Brothers . April 2014

3 YEARS, people, 3 YEARS!  That's 36 MONTHS of Brothers photos!  I'm seriously more excited that I can convey in writing that we've continued these monthly pictures.  Some months I take a few shots, and quickly get a usable one, other months I take (much) longer, and end up with one that will have to work okay.  But, 3 years later, I'm so happy we're still taking the time.  These boys change more quickly than I can keep up with, and having this similar monthly shot for comparison is just so fun!

April was Easter this year, so the perfect occasion for the Brothers photo!

Brothers . 2014
(Harvick, Ryder, and Jarrett)

All Previous Brothers Posts | April 2013 (Easter 2013) | April 2012

Brothers . March 2014

Following March tradition, we took the boys' Brothers photo on St. Patrick's Day this year!

Brothers . March 2014
(Harvick, Ryder, and Jarrett)

And, because the boys have all realized that I find them rather funny, they all like to play around a little longer before I can get them to all smile at (relatively) the same time!  From the scrapbook:

All Previous Brothers Posts | March 2013 | March 2012

Brothers . February 2014

I feel like I've said it a few times recently...but...February's Brothers picture turned out to have some of the best outtakes of any of the months!  Thankfully, we were able to get a good one too!

Brothers . February 2014
(Harvick, Ryder, and Jarrett)

All Previous Brothers Posts | February 2013 | February 2012

Brothers . January 2014

This winter the boys didn't get new matching striped jackets (like the 2 years previous).  And, their hats from last year still fit.  Even so, I liked that I've captured the same "outfit" each January - the boys in their jackets and hats - so, we did the same again this year.

Ryder has finally realized that the faster he sits still and smiles, the faster the picture is over.  Unfortunately, brothers haven't learned that yet - so, while one was pulling his face to force smiling and/or frowning (Harvick), the other was making every attempt to fall to the side (Jarrett).  The overall best shot is below - Ryder was beyond being amused at this point, but the ones with him smiling are not great of brothers!  You win some, you lose some.

Brothers . January 2014
(Harvick, Ryder, and Jarrett)

All Previous Brothers Posts | January 2013 | January 2012

Brothers . December 2013

Boys, in their Christmas jammies!

This year I couldn't find any flannel 2-piece pajamas that I liked for the boys - winter themed, without being solely for Christmas.  When I found these instead, in the boys colors, it was an obvious choice!

Upon opening these, on Christmas Eve, Ryder exclaimed:

"WOW!  MOM!  I've been wanting new jammies for a very, very long time!"

Patrick said to enjoy that response while it lasts.  And, I am.

Brothers . December 2013
(Harvick, Ryder, and Jarrett)

All Previous Brothers Posts | December 2012 | December 2011

Brothers . November 2013

Happy Thanksgiving!  Two years ago I bought a super cute turkey shirt for Ryder to wear, with his brothers in their "I'm Stuffed" shirts for their first Thanksgiving.  I went back to the store immediately after the holiday, and picked up a second shirt!  I've been waiting 2 years, and this year it fit Harvick & Jarrett!

Now, if I could just convince the boys to sit still for the picture...

Brothers . November 2013
(Harvick, Ryder, and Jarrett)

All Previous Brothers Posts | November 2012 | November 2011 & Thanksgiving 2011 ("Gobble" shirt)!

Brothers . October 2013

It's a "Brothers" photo first...the boys are wearing the same shirt in this photo as they did LAST October!  I actually bought these shirts in 2011 in an after-holiday clearance sale.  Last year, Ryder's shirt was slightly too big, but Harvick & Jarrett's sleeves would constantly slip over their hands.  So, I held onto all of them, just in case.  This year, all 3 boys were definitely on the edge of their shirt being too small, but we made it work!

Brothers . October 2013
(Harvick, Ryder, and Jarrett)

All Previous Brothers Posts | October 2012 (same shirt!) | October 2011

Brothers . September 2013

September has historically been a month for a random Brothers picture.  This year, we continued this pattern, on a random Sunday when the boys were dressed in cute church clothes!  Of course, with the boys not really wanting to smile, I was playing with various camera settings...and captured the cutest shot when the color is weird (and slightly blurry).  Oh well.

Brothers . September 2013
(Harvick, Ryder, and Jarrett)

All Previous Brothers Posts | September 2012 | September 2011

Brothers . August 2013

Last weekend, after Ryder's first soccer game (more on that later), I thought it would be a great Brothers picture - Harvick & Jarrett were each wearing a soccer shirt to support their big brother!  Ryder was wearing one as well, since he couldn't wear his new uniform shirt all day.

Of course, none of the boys saw it the same way I did...

So, when the boys were wearing "their color" tank tops today, we tried again.

Brothers . August 2013
(Harvick, Ryder, and Jarrett)

All Previous Brothers Posts | August 2012 | August 2011

Brothers . July 2013

Summer is such a busy time for us.  Despite everything going on, we were able to capture a Brothers picture twice!  The first for Independence Day (with props, per Ryder's request), and again on Ryder's birthday.  I couldn't pick which day was best, so (thankfully!) it worked out to do them both.

Brothers . July 2013
(Harvick, Ryder, and Jarrett)

Independence Day | Ryder's 4th Birthday

All Previous Brothers Posts | July 2012 | July 2011

Brothers . June 2013

For the past 2 years the June picture has been taken on Father's Day.  But, with the boys' birthday party at the beginning of the month, I had to take the opportunity then, too!  Ryder suggested the additions of their "party hats"!

Brothers . June 2013
(Harvick, Ryder, and Jarrett)

Boys' Birthday Party | with hats! | Father's Day

The outtakes from these events may be even better than the "best" picture from each - these boys sure are animated!

All Previous Brothers Posts | June 2012 | June 2011

Brothers . May 2013

So.  It's June.  But, it's only the 4th.

May had 2 occasions for a Brothers picture.  Harvick & Jarrett's 2nd birthday, and Mother's Day.  So, while my intention is to only have 1 picture per month - I couldn't resist the opportunity for 2 in May!

Brothers . May 2013
(Harvick, Ryder, and Jarrett)

Harvick & Jarrett's 2nd Birthday | Mother's Day

Really.  Could these boys be any cuter?!

All Previous Brothers Posts | May 2012 | May 2011