a portrait of my family once a month in 2017.
nicolaus: went on a surf/camp trip to jalama bay. the surf was terrible, but the company was good, so he said it was worth it. he surprised me and niels by building the most amazing little sandbox in our backyard (and by yard i mean patio). he also fixed up a broken grill that my dad gave us, so we've been enjoying all sorts of delicious grilled meat and veggies. he's been taking niels on lots of walks to the horses that live down the street from us, and one day the owner was there, so they got to see a brand new pony. 
niels: (yes, he's only sitting still in this photo because he's watching the aristocats.) ha, he's learned how to put together those wooden kid puzzles. and how to play letter puzzle games on my phone. hes' obsessed with horses and bubbles. he loved visiting his cousins in california, and running around outside all day. his knees and elbows were constantly scraped up. he is very strong willed and has learned how to throw a full blown toddler tantrum. but also has the sweetest side, and most mornings, he just smothers me and nicolaus in hugs and kisses. i've had to apologize to a lot of parents for niels either kiss attacking their child, or hitting them...ha, there's no in between (and if anyone has tips on how to get him to quit hitting, they would be much appreciated). 
me: went on a california road trip with my parents to visit my sister's family, and was able to bum rides up north and back again, to go to a family friend's surprise 60th birthday party, and meet nick for a day and a half at the end of his surf trip. caught a cold right at the end of my trip, and lost my voice for the first time in years. i fully sounded like a 13 year old boy who just hit puberty, which was both funny and embarrassing.