It’s gonna be a great year

This year is already off to a great start, and I am so excited to see how it plays out!

This is new years…and this photo series just makes me laugh.  Honestly, we don’t have a great photo from new years, but this is us, so I’m happy with them. :)

Thanks to the photographer…I think it was Johnny. :) I missed Katie M being there to take some great photos of the night.  I didn’t get nearly enough. :)

After these photos came the fireworks – I love fireworks, but only for a few minutes.  30 minutes of fireworks is just boring to me.  Do you agree?

I love New Year’s in Morehead City.  And I love my friends. My life is good. :)

I also made the 2nd biggest purchase of my life (our house is the 1st), and bought a car.  Isn’t it pretty?!?  I’m in love!! :)

Want to know what the best part of January was?  My best friend is now a Mama!! :) Baby Cole is gorgeous, and healthy.  And Katie and Chad are learning what it’s like to live without sleep! :) And how handsome does my husband look with a baby? He’s going to be a great Daddy one day.

February has started off pretty awesome, too.  On Thursday, February 2nd, I went had did this…

And this is the only photo I have, because Marc is the only one who went with me.  For good reason, too.  It took about 2 minutes from start to finish to get my new tattoo. :) And I LOVE it!!

It’s super simple, but it’s my Jesus fish.  And it’s my reminder to Walk by Faith (Jeremy Camp song, which I love), on my left foot, closer to my heart.  However, is it bad that I don’t want my parents to know?  I mean, I’m a 28 year old adult, but I know my dad with be really upset, and my mom would be disappointed.  I know it’ll come out eventually, but…for now, it’s my secret, shared with y’all. :)

February is busy…I’m heading to Orlando for work next Thursday for a week.  Looking forward to hanging out with some of my Charlotte friends, but I’m gonna miss home.  It’s bittersweet.

So, how’s 2012 looking for you?  Are you loving it like me?  Have a great weekend, y’all! :)

Finally, a break!

July was such a busy month!

Remember all this from my last post?

• Beaufort for July 4th weekend
• Softball games
• Chaperone for Youth at their Summer Camp
• Eclipse with my girls (and the husband)
• Weekend at the lake
• Softball games
• Weekend at the lake
• Softball games
• Sewing on a very important birthday gift =.)

Well, softball is finally finished!  I had so much fun playing this year!  I think it might have helped that we won a few more games than in years past? I don’t know. But I had a great time getting together with friends every week! =.)

August should be much more relaxed, but our days, weeks, weekends always seem to fill up fast. I have a ton of birthdays to celebrate this month!  I can’t wait to celebrate with Tiffany and Kelli for their birthdays! =.)

Our circle of friends is growing, and I love that! =.)

Here are a few more pictures of the past month…I love my life! =.)

KarleighAva, Allie & Elixir (Lixir), Mama’s new puppy AceLixir with her big sister, Roxy Paisley, Lixir, & Ace

It’s crazy how fast that little puppy is growing!  My Mama hasn’t even had her a whole month, but she’s getting taller and gaining some weight.  And she just loves on Ace!  I love watching them all play together! =.)

This weekend will consist of LOTS of cleaning!  My house has taken the brunt of my busy schedule.  I keep putting off a true cleaning!

Unless, that is, Marc guilts me into going to the lake tomorrow. =.) Hah! =.)

Alright…an hour of work left…I can do it! =.)

Have a great weekend, y’all! =.)

Christmas Recap =.)

Christmas for us is just a super busy time.  We go to 7 different places in 3 days.  However, I don’t know what I’d do if we weren’t on the go.  I imagine I would sleep a little more, relax a bit more, and enjoy a bit more?  I don’t know, but here’s the run-down. =.)

On Christmas Eve, we go over to my grandma’s house and have a huge dinner with her brother and his family, and all of our family.  After dinner, we wash tons of dishes, then everyone leaves except for my uncle and his family, my grandma and her husband, and our family.  Then we open gifts.  We’ve been doing Christmas Eve since I was a kid.  We used to go over to my great grandpa’s house, Papa Tom, and do dinner and a few gifts there, then we would go back to my grandma’s house and do gifts with her.  I love traditions! =.)  Here’s a few picks from Christmas Eve

Royce with Allie & Ava Marc trying to get Ava’s doll out of the carrier Allie & AvaGranny & Ava

After Marc and I got home on Christmas Eve, we opened our gifts to each other. =.)  I am super excited – I got a pink Bl@ckberry! =.)  Love it!  It’s so pretty! =.)

On Christmas morning, we opened our stockings to each other, and gave the dogs their stockings.  They got a new toy and some bones.  They loved them both! =.)

We headed over to Brock and Wendy’s to do Christmas with them, and my Mama and Daddy.

Ava opening her gift from us – I just love her bed head! =.) Allie with one of her gifts from usMama made them matching Cowgirl outfits to play dress up in.  Ava wanted hers on right then. =.) 

Our next stop was Matt and Tammy’s house, Marc’s brother.  We got to hang out with Marc’s grandma and aunt, and watch Karleigh open her gifts. =.)

Marc and Karleigh Marc’s grandma Karleigh with Marc’s aunt, Susan Love this kid! =.) Marc and his mama

After hanging out with Marc’s family, we went to my aunt’s house.  My Mama’s family is there, her brother and sisters, and all of their families.  We had lunch, then opened Christmas gifts.

Allie & Ava with my cousins, Blake & Danielle.

**Side note: Ava never got rid of her bed head! =.) Allie with Blake & Danielle My cousin, Brandon.  He turned 16 and got his license last week…he’s making me feel super old. =.)Ava Reese Ava in her new jewelry Mama My grandma looking at her painted plate =.) 

Then, we had to celebrate my aunt’s birthday, as she and Jesus share this special day. =.)

Yummy…homemade red velvet cake! =.) Allie sneaking some icing Hanging out in Danielle’s room =.)

After my aunt’s house, we headed over spend Christmas with Marc’s dad’s family.  And I had left my camera at the house after we stopped back by to grab presents and unload, so I didn’t get any pictures at Gwen’s house.  We had dinner there and got to spend time with Marc’s grandma and grandpa.

Our final stop of the night was my grandpa’s house.  And, again, I didn’t have my camera, but we had fun there, too.  It’s all of my family, plus my uncle and his family.  Basically all of our Christmas Eve attendees, just with my grandpa and his wife instead of my grandma and her husband.  I got the prettiest necklace and earrings from them.  And I made a photo album of all of our pictures from our last trip to their mountain house.  Papa really seemed to like it, so I think I did good!  Now, I have to start thinking about what to do for next year… =.)

When we finally got back to the house, we had to do Christmas with Marc’s dad.  They were late coming in because it was raining really bad between South Carolina and us, so we didn’t get to do it earlier in the day as planned.

Karleigh Melinda and her photo album =.)Lyman and his Harley cover Melinda with her apron I made for her

Then, the day after Christmas, we had a big dinner, as is tradition, with my grandpa’s family.  It’s all of his brothers and sisters and their families.  We do tons of gag gifts and it’s a lot of fun.  And I had my camera, but me and Mama were the hostesses, so I didn’t get much of a chance to take pictures.  We were trying to keep everything in order.

So, on Sunday, I rested.  I slept in, I felt awful from this cold I’ve caught, I laid around the house, watched TV, and rested.  Then, Marc and I watched a movie and called it a night pretty early. =.)  Perfect Sunday. =.)

I hope your Christmas was wonderful! =.)

Now, I’m getting ready for New Year’s.  We’re heading down to the beach to spend the weekend with friends.  Should be a great time, and I can’t wait! =.)

Happy New Year’s! =.)