2016 Recap

Ok, let me be honest here.... 2016 has not been my favorite year. In fact it has been a very challenging year. There were things I never thought would happen, that happened. Ugh. Yet, it has allowed me to learn and grow in many capacities. I would also rather not have a year like that again. Haha. 

2016 lows: Granny passing away and having Shingles
2016 highs: Great Wolf Lodge and going on a helicopter ride

Here was our original 2016 list with the accomplishment beside it!

• Resolution1- Read at least one book per month  - Check! I read 30 books this year!
• Resolution 2 - Have 3-4 Mommy/Son Dates or activities per month with Blake. I want us to be so close this year (even closer than we already are. haha) - Check!
• Financially get ahead... already paid off a credit card - eh... maybe not
• Hopefully enjoy some snow days (fingers crossed... more like ice days! 
• Go on some awesome vacations (beach... maybe a water park... maybe the mountains again?)- Check! 
• Knock off some stuff on my bucketlist (paddleboarding, ziplining, etc)... a 2017 resolution
• See Lion King on Broadway with my dad - Check!
• Plan a spectacular 4th bday for Blake! - Check!
• Survive my  30th birthday - ugh...- barely
• Make as many new friends as we can!  - learned a lot about people
• ...and who knows what else... COME WHAT MAY!  

Needless to say, I am very ready for next year! 2017 HAS to be better! 

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!!!! This is one of my favorite days of the year...and I think it is safe to say Blake's favorite too! We were both very good this year!

I got some work out clothes, leggings, scarf, and some adult coloring books for relaxation.

Blake got a Paw Patrol train track, a HUGE garage for all of this hotwheels cars, and a Paw Patrol jungle set. Those were the main things. He also got race tracks and a basketball goal from the grandparents.

Merry Christmas from us! :) 

Few Of Our Favorite Things

December is such a busy but also such a fun month. We have done lots of wonderful things! Here are a few...

We made homemade ornaments for our tree...

Speaking of trees, we also helped Gdaddy decorate his tree!

Hunter, Blake's best friend had a birthday this month. We went to Defy Gravity to let the boys jump it out! They had a blast and I love seeing their little friendship develop.

And finally....we had time to do gingerbread houses. I had to slap it all together before Blake ate it all! He loved the candy. Haha.

Santa, We Know Him

We got to see Santa!!!

Blake was so excited to see Santa this year! He has been very clear on what he wants for Christmas this year, so he was excited to tell it to Santa. We even had to practice it a few times. I am so proud of him because he jumped right on up there and told Santa exactly what he wanted. He even answered all of Santa's questions about being good this year.

I can testify... Blake has been amazing this year. I am not sure how I lucked out with such a great kid! He is nice beyond belief. He is kind and funny and wants to please everyone.... yet he is strong and confident and loves to joke around. I am just proud of such a great kid that he is growing up to be.

I think Santa agrees... so Blake will be getting everything on his list this year! Hopefully Santa will leave a little something for me too! :)

Disney on Ice 2016

Disney on Ice!!!! Rudy surprised us with tickets to Disney on Ice! This was our 3rd year going... we always take Granny, too.

Blake was SO excited to see that Rudy made an Olaf when surprising him with the tickets. Olaf is the snowman from Frozen and he is Blakes favorite character this year. Blake was thrilled to see Olaf in the show!

He also impressed me because he  remembered perfectly a scene in last year's show with Buzz. I couldn't believe that he remembered that from a full year ago! I'm curious as to what else he remembers! Haha.

We had such a blast!

Christmas Parade

We love the Rolesville Christmas parade. We also always have the best seat in the house because the parade goes right in front of Memommy's house.

It has become a tradition to go to Memommy's house early and eat lunch. Then we take a nap and wake up just in time for the parade to come by. We get our chairs and our blankets out and sit right there in the front yard. Memommy also has nice warm hot chocolate ready for when the parade is over.

This year we also had some fun people join us... Tiffany, Clint, and Tristan joined since they just moved to Rolesville a few months ago. Blake and Tristan loved waving to all of the floats and trucks. They also got pretty good at catching the candy!

PS- This is the last picture of Tiffany's family before baby Cameron arrived! He will be with us next year! ;)

Christmas Tree Time

December is here! Finally! We have been so busy just embracing this month that I got somewhat behind in blogging... So the next few entries have happened over the course of the 11 days of this month. I am just not getting to actually write them all down.

Christmas is one of the most exciting months for me. I like to call it the Christmas Magic and it is something that I believe strongly in. Also, having a child during this month is amazing. There are so many wonderful things to do and memories to make.

One of our favorites is getting the Christmas tree. Our tradition is that we get the tree on December 1st, or either withing the first few days of December.

Blake thought picking a tree was extra funny this year because our tree lot came from Booger Mountain. Blake said we had a booger tree...and that is hilarious in every 4 year old boys mind. Haha! He picked a good one though.

Having the tree decorated and lit up makes the house just seem so cozy. Any it truly sets to the tone for that Christmas Magic feel!

PS- I had to get on Blake for playing with the tree this year! He thinks the ornaments are toys. We have already broken 2. It is our tradition to get a new ornament each year for the tree. Right now our tree is covered with superhero ornaments!