2014 in retrospect

 We rang in 2014 in much more exciting fashion than we're ringing in 2015: with an Ugly Sweater party with friends.  Sadly, that was really the only big party we hosted in 2014.  We love to host our friends, but things took a bit of an unexpected turn in the spring for us, and we had to cut down on our festivities.  I've talked before about that unexpected turn (deciding to quit my job), so I won't bore you with the details again here.  Suffice to say that it had a big impact on our year!

 Easter was a fun affair--we spent time with family at MawMaw and PawPaw's. 

 Our baby graduated to a toddler bed in April.  She did really well with the transition, though some nights we long for the days when we could "cage" her in the crib and know where she was!

 Our big girl graduated from preschool in May. 

We got a great picture with the girls and Sean, his dad, and his grandpa.

 Starting my own business didn't go exactly as planned, and I spent a lot of time hanging out with the girls.  I definitely treasured my time with them!  I was also definitely ready to go back to work when the opportunity came later in the year!

 Babies were born!  Aiden (Stephanie's baby boy) was born in February, then the excitement of TWO BABIES being born on the SAME DAY happened in July!  Gage Wingo started the party, and Owen Kelb (with the girls above) arrived just a few hours later!  All the boys were so joyously welcomed!

 Kindergarten.  For real.  I have a kindergartener?

 We got to have several slumber parties with Link this year, and we loved every time.  The girls wish for him when he's not around (though they do tend to fuss a lot with him when he is here!)

 I got together a Stevens family reunion this year.  I grew up hanging out with all of my cousins at least once a year--but it had been quite some time since we had a get-together.  We had 60+ of the 100+ family members attend, and it was a great time!

 Whippoorwill Holler Fall Festival took a kid-friendly turn--luckily these little cuties (Gage, pictured above with his Momma and me, and Owen) were welcomed additions to the festival! 

While it was definitely one of the most challenging years of our life together, 2014 still gave us so much to be thankful for--we are incredibly blessed, and so excited to see what 2015 has in store for us!  Blessings to you and yours!

Elise's 6th Birthday

On the bus, in the farthest parking lot ever, getting ready to go to SDC

 We gave Elise a choice for her birthday this year: have a party, or go to Silver Dollar City.  I feel like she chose wisely.  Even though when we first got to the park, I had to wonder!

Daddy is obviously thrilled to be there.

 Silver Dollar City was PACKED.  I have never parked so far away, nor have I ever had to stand and wait to proceed through Grandfather's Mansion.  Both of those things happened during this trip.

Waiting to ride one of the few rides we decided to wait for.

 But it was beautiful!  It wasn't too chilly and we were appropriately bundled for the weather.  The lights were amazing.  We got to eat so much delicious food, some of which (like the apple dumplings) is only available at Christmas.  And the girls absolutely loved the parade.

Selfie Win

 Honestly, after the parade, the place cleared out some, and it didn't feel nearly so claustrophobic.  The girls didn't mind the crowds, but they did make me nervous.  Erin didn't want to hold our hands for the most part, and she's little, quick, and easily lost.  But we were lucky and didn't have any scares.  And by the end, she was so pooped we carried her anyway.

Selfie Fail.

 There were lots of familiar faces in the crowd--Uncle Dave texted us that he and Loriell were down there and we met up with them for a bit.

Erin and Uncle Dave watching Elise and Loriell ride the swing

 This next series of pictures cracked me up.  I was trying to take a cute picture of the girls in front of a lighted Christmas tree...it didn't work out that well.

There's the tackle-hug

Then there's the awkward family photo.

Their eyes are almost closed, but they're looking in the right direction with smiles on their faces!

Elise trying to stay upright in Grandfather's mansion.  Can you tell it was crowded??

 Will, Jessie, and Owen met us down there, too.  Elise was really excited to see them!

On her actual birthday (Friday), Elise got to take cupcakes to school, Mammy surprised her with a happy meal at lunch, and Daddy, me, and Erin took her on a drive to look at Christmas lights that night and capped it off with Andy's!  Today, we had lunch at Mammy's, and she got to blow out candles on an ice cream cake.  She said tonight it was a really good birthday!

Thanksgivings

Grandpa taking the girls on a walk

 Our Tour de Thanksgivings begins at Grandma and Grandpa Jackson's house.  Most of the family had other plans, but we wanted to get together with them to celebrate--especially since we didn't have any other plans that day!  We had a wonderful visit and the girls had so much fun having Grandma and Grandpa to themselves.

Erin did NOT want her picture taken.  Sigh.

 The Stevens family Thanksgiving was on Saturday this year.  I know there was some grumbling from some about not having Thanksgiving on the actual day, but I was actually pretty happy with it.  It gave us more time to spend with family without having to rush off to the next place!  We had a big turnout and the kids had so much fun together!

A nice family picture with the girls in the tree I used to play in!

A few of the great-grandchildren

 Our final Thanksgiving was on Sunday at MawMaw and PawPaw's house.  We had the most beautiful weather, and PawPaw was on the tractor when we got there, so the girls had to have a ride!

Claire was styling!

The temperature started to drop in the afternoon, but the kids still wanted to play outside!

I hope everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving with much to be thankful for--I know we did!