It's a New Year, folks...

So funny story. 

We thought it would be fun to host a big New Years Eve party in our new home this year! I sent out the invites to several friends here in GR and was disappointed when no one was RSVPing. But before we go on on how I'm apparently a loser, can we talk about the lost art of RSVPing? Is it really THAT HARD?! Non RSVPer's are on the top of my "you really don't have enough time in the day to RSVP?" list.

Off soap box. Back to how I have no friends. We were in MO during Christmas and no one, I mean no one, had RSVP'd so I canceled my party with the intention of staying in MO the few extra days. Well, the time came we decided we really were ready to go back home, Dan was anxious to get back to work, you know how it goes. So we came home and rang in the New Year with our toes warm by the fire toasting to how wonderful 2013 was and hoping for a great 2014. It was actually kind of perfect.

So far 2014 has brought us snow. And lots of it. If you read this blog, you should know me pretty well and know that I hate snow. Hate it. It's cold and wet...and yuck. 

Oh yeah, and 2014 has brought me braces. *GASP* It's a long story, definitely for another blog post. Until then, just think of me channeling my inner teen mom. 

P.S. I told Dan I looked like a teen mom and he quickly responded, "you don't look that young."

Christmas 2013

***WARNING***

PICTURE OVERLOAD

I have a rather humiliating confession. For Christmas this year, uhh sigh...I forgot my camera. If you actually want the whole story, I blame Daniel! We weren't leaving until 5pm but he called me at 11am and said he was coming home from work early and we were leaving at noon so get everything ready. PANIC MODE! I just started throwing things in a suitcase (dirty, clean, didn't even need it) and half-way to Chicago I got that awful, dreadful feeling you get when you know you forgot something. You know the one, where you start a running checklist in your mind...only to remember it wasn't like the blow dryer...it was your CAMERA!?

Anyway, I had to enlist my entire family to not only take pictures of my family for me, but then send them to me. Hence the January 12th blog post for Christmas 2013 (I love you Margene , Ash and Papa Tracy)!!!

Christmas Eve was spent with the Tracy's. 
Here's Norah, looking (not touching!) Grandma Tracy's tree

Eating munchies with Daddy while hanging out with aunts, uncles and cousins

"No Daddy, I don't want to go Christmas caroling, its TOO COLD!"

Waking up to the goods Santa brought everyone

Joseph (Daniel's youngest brother) and Grandma/Grandpa Tracy

Santa thought Daniel needed new socks and Jack Stack BBQ Sauce

Norah checking out her new Mickey and scooter

Christmas Day we headed to the Furnell's to open presents with the rest of the gang.
Norah was more interested in climbing on her presents and jumping up and down


It was quite the struggle to get her "off" her presents and unwrap them


As soon as we helped her unwrap it, she immediately jumped back on the box. That girl...


But once she found out what was inside, she was very pleased!


Had to add this special snap shot of her kissing new baby cousin Mila. Everybody say, "AWWW!"

Daniel got me a gorgeous Mickey Mouse watch...

While I got him a Zombie Survival kit...I commit myself to doing much better next year. I promise ;)

 Wow I can't believe Christmas is over and it's already the middle of January! We love going home to spend the Holiday's with family, no matter how crazy and hectic it may get we are so very blessed to have such a wonderful family! We hope your Christmas was just as fabulous!

I am Thankful For...

What a week at the Tracy's!

We really broke in the new home with these fabulous guests.  We hosted my parents, my sister and fam and brother and fam this year for Thanksgiving. If you can't tell from the photo, that's 13 people, 16 total! And I would do it all over again :)

We were only missing my brother Brandon and his little fam, and then we would have had the whole clan of Furnell's!

 

Here we all are at the end of the day, bellies and hearts full.

I am so grateful for my family, near and far. They truly are the greatest blessing in my life. 

Now if I could only get Norah to go back to entertaining herself, sigh...