2015 in Review Part 1

When I thought about doing this post, I couldn't remember having a very eventful year, but when I started looking back at pictures. We had a very full and eventful 2015.

We gave Coco a Purity ring and she took a vow to stay pure until God brings her a husband someday.

Our Girl Scout Troop attended a self defense course.

February

Coco and her bestie were baptized in our church.

Very happy and proud Momma moment!

MARCH

We had some snow and took the girls to the park to play

She made the high school Softball team.

APRIL

We went to Pennsylvania and New York with my sister and great niece. It was their first time to fly. They were both great little travelers. Even with the hiccups we had with cancelled and missed flights due to weather.

I loved NYC and can't wait to go back and spend more time exploring. They others hated it and have no desire to go back.... I know they are crazy!

Pennsylvania - we went for a trade show in Lancaster. We flew into Harrisburg and spent a couple of days touring the Amish country. We also went to Easton PA to the Crayola factory.

MAY

School's Out for the Summer

We have a Sophomore in the house! I hosted the last day of school breakfast.

They were excited!

JUNE

Scott and Coco went to New Mexico and Colorado with Scott's parents for 8 days. I can't find any of those pictures :(. Last year they took Colby on the same trip but the first night they stopped in Tucumcari NM the hotel caught on fire in the middle of the night. It was chaos trying to get their stuff back and get the car out so they came back home. This year was much better

 Coco had a Shabby Chic party for her 15th birthday.

Her Daddy let her go on her first car "date". They got to go to a car show in town for 1 hour.

She lead worship during VBS week. This was her doing the motions on Sunday service.

JULY

She got her drivers permit

                                                   We practiced in empty parking lots.

AUGUST

Girl Scout troop went Kayaking

We held our 2nd annual back to school breakfast for Coco and her friends. Love this group of girls.

When one of the girls gets her heartbroken we have an ice cream party. We don't need no stinky boys!!

My sister turned the big "50" and I along with her sons hosted a surprise party for her. She was totally surprised and lots of family and friends.

For years we have said when she turned 50 we would get a tattoo. That very night after the party we went to the tattoo parlor and got these.

Sisters with intertwined hearts. The longest 7 minutes of pain I have ever felt!

Part 2 to come!!

Christmas Family Pictures

Family pictures 2015

Christmas Traditions

Our Christmas traditions are something I look forward to all year long. I hope Coco will look back on her years growing up and be filled with happy memories at Christmas time.

1. Christmas Tree

To kick off the season we start decorating the Friday night after Thanksgiving. We order pizza and put up the trees. Sometimes they just eat the pizza LOL! The past couple of years I have done our main tree in Leopard print, gold, turquoise, and deer horns. I love it. It usually takes me the entire weekend to decorate the house, but I take my time and enjoy the memories it evokes.

2. Collection of Ornaments

Another favorite is our collected ornaments. We get one each time we travel, 1 to remember what was going on that year or what Coco was involved in. This one from the Amish when my sister and I went to Lancaster, PA that year. This year Scott got into biking and Coco started Cross Country running.

3. Wrapping

Gifts are wrapped the same or in the same theme. This year to match my leopard and turquoise tree. Next year I am already planning to add Pink. That will so much fun.

4. Christmas Lights in our Jammies

Last year we added a new tradition. Christmas jammies and lights. We wear our PJ's and drive around looking at Christmas lights and we stop for Hot Cocoa somewhere along the way. Last year we also ended up caroling for some favorite people the girls knew. With Coco being a only child we took a couple of her friends along. I like to think of them as my kids too! This year may include a boyfriend, we'll see.

5. Family Pictures for our Christmas card.

We used to wear a Christmas hat but as Coco got older that went away and we just do pictures. This year we had them done and I can't wait to see them.

6. Mamie's Christmas

Christmas Eve was always spent with Scott's Mamie so after she past away we get together with his extended family on the 20th which was her birthday. We have ornament exchanges and potluck. This is the only time of the year we some so it is good time.

7. Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is spent with Scott's parents. Before his Mammie past away Christmas Eve was always spent at her house. Now we have a family get together on the 20th (her birthday) in remembrance of her. With my in-laws we have either appetizers or sometimes a full meal. Last year they surprised us with seafood. Crab legs are our thing when we vacation in Florida together, so it was a wonderful surprise and one I hope they continue. I also lay out Coco new pjs on her bed before we leave our house.

8.The Reason for the Season

When we get home Coco puts on her new pj's and Scott will read the Christmas story from the bible. She sometimes talks us into opening 1 present. The Christmas Movie is usually playing 24 hours on tv so we watch that. We make Reindeer food (oatmeal and glitter) and Coco still scatters it across the lawn. Santa comes on Christmas Eve to fill our stockings.

9. Christmas Morning

Christmas morning we have to wake up Coco to open gifts. I cook breakfast and start cooking the dishes I am taking to my Mom's for Christmas lunch. Those are usually green bean casserole for my nephew Dallas, sweet potatoes for Scott. Sometimes I will add a new dish to spice things up.

10. Going to Grandmas

Growing up we always went to Grandma's house for Christmas lunch. Now we go to Mimi's (my Mom's) on Christmas day for lunch. My sister and her family are there and sometimes we will have other extended family join us. Lunch has always the same. We love and look forward to it.  Turkey, ham, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, broccoli casserole, broccoli salad, corn, green bean casserole, green beans, hot rolls, and pies and cakes for dessert.

We draw names at Thanksgiving, so after lunch we open gifts and hang out to visit.

This year we are adding a couple of new traditions. 1. My girl scout troop is hosting a Ugly Sweater party for their friends at my house. I will get to chaperone. 2. At my Mom's  we are adding playing games after we open gifts. First we are each bringing a gift to play dirty santa or white elephant as some might know it. I have a fun bunch so that will add lots of excitement and my sister and I are bringing games to play and leave there to play the rest of the year. She is bringing Pie Face and I am bringing Family Fued. Lots of memories to be made this year and I can't wait.

We also attend church events, work parties and friend parties throughout the season.

The most Wonderful time of the year!!!

2015 Book List

Books I've read this year

1 Me  Before You by JoJo Myers
2 The Watchman  by    Harper Lee
3  Moon & More by     Sarah Dressen
4  Along for the Ride  by  Sarah Dressen
5  On Mystic Lake  by  Kristen Hannah
6  The Royal We    by  Heather Cocks
7  The Husbands Secret by Liane Moriarty
8  God's Gift   by Dee Henderson
9  What Alice Forgot  by   Liane Moriarty
10  Lessons from Madame Chic  by  Jennifer L Scott
11  A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet  by  Sophie Hudson
12  Unbroken  by  Laura Hilenbrand
13  Angels Walking  by  Karen Kingbury
14  The Lincoln Myth  by  Steve Berry
15  Now I'll Tell you Everything  by  Phyllis Reynolds Maylor
16 In the Unlikely Event  by  Judy Blume
17 The Island by Elin Hilenbrand
18 Forever Chic by Tish Jett
19 Home is Where My People Are by Sophie Hudson
20 The Secrets of Midwives by Sally Hepworth
21 The Hypnotists Love Story by Liane Moriarty
22 The Last Anniversary by Liane Moriarty
23 Paper Towns by John Green
24 Gray Mountain by John Grisham
25 Country by Danielle Steel

First Day of Sophomore Year

Today was the first day of Coco's sophomore year of high school. I can't believe how time is flying by. Scott loves to remind me of the little time we have left with her at home with us.

 

This morning I hosted our 2nd Back to School breakfast for her and her friends. These girls have been friends since elementary school and have made lots of memories together.

 

My girl is not so much a baby anymore.

This summer she

* Passed and received her driving permit test

* Started babysitting

* Worked with her Daddy mowing/weed eating

* Volunteered with the school Summer Book Bus

* Helped with VBS at church leading the "motions" for worship time

* Went on her 1st car date (1 hour just a few miles away)

 

 

Fall Bucket List

1.  Pumpkin Patch
2.  Hayride
3.  Decorate for fall
4.  Football games
5.  Fall Boat ride on Beaver Lake
6.  Fall Foliage Sunday Drive
7.  Backyard fires and smores
8.  Haunted House
9.  Corn Maze
10. Boots and sweaters
11. Hot Chocolate
12. Hikes
13. Pumpkin Carving
14. Trunk or Treat
15. Thanksgiving

Boy Bands and the Fella with the Hella Good Hair

2 more sleeps and I am taking the girl to see One Direction and 5Seconds of Summer in Tulsa. She is so excited and I have to admit I am looking forward to it also. I wish some of her friends could have gotten tickets too but they were pricey. I didn't want to spend it either but the Mister told me it may be a once in a lifetime opportunity and she LOVES music.

I hope it perks her up, she has had a rough start to high school. She got her first broken heart the first week of school. It breaks my heart to see her hurt but unfortunately there will be many more I am sure. I joke that we need to ask for references but that may not be a bad idea.