February was when my favorite people in the world (my dearest friend Corrine, her husband Kristofer, plus Corrine's family) came to visit in New York. We went to see Wicked and afterward Archie taught us all a lesson about the dangers of empty subway cars.
February was also the month of the never-ending snowstorm. Luckily someone we know loves snow more than anything else in the free world.
And Archie and I celebrated our second anniversary in February by being extremely attractive.
March was the month when Gabe turned six and had a big o' string of birthday celebrations. (Four parties, this child had. Next year's theme: disappointment.)
April was the month that I realized my child is the cutest. That's all. Also we saw a movie about bears. Bear movie, cute kid. That's all.
May was the month Gabe got a pair of aviator sunglasses and took approximately 800 selfies with my phone.
I also walked over to the East Side in May to find my grandmother's very first home. It's really incredible to live in a city where my family has so many connections.
We also went to the Empire State Building in May, accompanied by Captain America.
June was the month when we had lots of houseguests. Trish (Archie's stepmom) came to visit and then almost the entire Jeffery clan (old friends from UT) blew into town. Ask me how many little bodies can comfortably stay in our tiny 700 square foot apartment...answer: lots.
In June we visited the Enterprise space shuttle (no superhero escort, danggit).
And also there was a day in June when I wasn't home and Archie let Gabe pick out his own outfit. #nocomment
July started off with a bang (HA. I slay myself.) with an Independence Day trip to Maryland and then my heart melted into a smooshy pile of goo watching my dad and my son spend practically every second together. Those guys are two chocolate-milk-lovin', fishing-pole-totin', wisecrackin' peas in a pod and it makes me so happy.
At the end of July, I visited the Oregon coast with my in-laws and had a blast. It was so hard to leave that beautiful place! Also, starfish.
August was the month we were sealed and had fun celebrating with all the people we love in Utah!
And then Gabe rode a pony.
When we got back to the city, we did lots of exploring and scootering.
And then Archie and I had our birthdays in August and celebrated by being extremely attractive.
September was the month KIKI came to visit! Everything's better with a little Kiki, trust me on this. We had our first Cronut with Kiki, and then she held us while we wept because it was terrible.
In September, Gabe held an empty Tic Tac container to his ear and told me he could hear the ocean. He agrees with me that orange Tic Tacs are the most wonderful thing in the world which is why we're best friends for life.
He also appreciates the joy of finding an empty seat at the train station after a long day. Again, BFFs.
October was the month we went apple-picking and pumpkin-hunting because we're the whitest people you've ever met! Also, I dress Gabe like he's in a J. Crew catalog because we're the whitest people you've ever met!
October was the (only) month I tested Archie's patience.
Archie agreed to a couple's costume this year for Halloween which made me explode with joy (this dude makes me the very happiest) and Captain America came back for a visit!
Also, I tried on the mask from one of Gabe's Halloween costumes (uhh, I think he had four...is that bad?) and it resulted in my favorite picture of me ever taken.
I cannot stop laughing at this picture.
November was the month I remembered that New York is the most beautiful place to live and I'm so happy we live here. Except every time I take a train, or go to a store, or interact with other people at all.
We, as a family, continued to be weird in November.
December was Christmas and boy do the Egberts know how to do Christmas!
Gabe was the angel at our church's Nativity pageant because of course he was. And this angel happened to smack his head on a door at school three days before the pageant because of course he did. He did a beautiful job (he brought good tidings and everything!) and I couldn't have been more proud. He's my sweet angel and I love his cute face (scabs and all).
We ended the year with a trip to Maryland to see the folks which was perfect, as usual.
These two boys I have fill up my whole soul with love and I'm so lucky to get to spend my years with them. We've had a fun-filled, blessed, and happy year and we just can't wait for the next one!
