Year End Recap

Every year I love to do a little recap on NYE with the big thing(s) that happened each month. It's a good look back for me. So here it goes!

​January - a fun trip to Atlanta

February - Bahamas for Kevin's 50th and our favorite day here  

March - a great OIB weekend 

April - quick trip to DC where the kids sung at the Eisenhower Building on the White House campus 

May - Grady turned 7 and I went to Vegas for work and had a great time  

June - we had to put Mills down and while the kids were at Camp, Kevin and I went to Jackson Hole and Grady got to play baseball in Atlanta 

July - Mom and Dad came down for July 4th and Molly Anne is back from camp

August - finally celebrated Molly Anne turning 10 and we went to an Orioles game

September - we lived at the baseball field 

October - redid our bar and Grady's first home run 

November - Thanksgiving in OIB

December - NYC for work, Polar Express and Christmas

A Little Note

​I wanted to make a few notes here so when you saw pictures I've posted over the last few weeks, you didn't think it was the perfect little life. Here's what you also need to know:

I didn't get all of my decorations up. I had to pick and choose and even though I always always put my carolers up, it didn't happen this year.

We didn't get uptown to do our usual pictures and sightseeing I've done every year with the kids. 

We had some hard moments with my mom. What my dad is living 24/7, I was only with her a week. It was not easy in a few aspects. 

Though it looked like we had perfect meals, I can assure you I cut corners and we didn't have balanced meals every day. 

The presents under the tree were not wrapped nicely. Most had sharpie writing on them for who they were to and from. And not all had ribbons. It wasn't what was important. It was the thought behind each gift more than anything.

There was frustration and not listening and late bedtimes and all of that. 

We didn't have a live flower arrangement on our dining table, we had a Lego one in the champagne bucket! Also, we couldn't set the table until right before eating because my mom would have messed with it so it wasn't some amazing tablescape. But who cares!

So just wanted to share this. We do not have nor do I want you to ever think we have this beautiful, perfect, everything to a tee kind of life! We live here and are so thankful for who and what we have. As my friend Ashley and I were talking - may we find joy in each day!

Christmas and Day After

Christmas Day is always so sweet. That morning when the kids come down is my favorite. All off the magic! Look at Molly Anne's face! She is also carrying a pink weighted animal to give my mom! ​

So this was the big story of the day! A couple of weeks ago the kids visited Santa at Santa brunch and I had zero clue what they would ask him for. They didn't have lists. Grady didn't have anything he really wanted. They rolled in and Molly Anne went on a tangent about how she needed a golden retriever. Grady said baseball lifestyle clothes. Santa said puppies are very hard to bring but he would see. Turns out we had to get to work! Parents give puppies in this house! I had been researching all of the golden breeders since a few months after Mills passed but hadn't put the full court press on 'we must get a dog.' We honestly haven't been ready. We = me.  But now I needed to figure something out. The plan was kind of always this coming Spring/Summer. 

I have two good leads on litters. One boy available that was born 11/11 and one other litter due today 12/28 which was my golden from growing up's birthday. Molly Anne is leaning towards that so they can watch them grow up from being born. 

How to tell them Christmas morning? I had two dog tags made on Christmas Eve and figured it would come to me on how to give them these. This was my Dad's idea - hang them where his stocking will be. It was THE BEST. The kids didn't see them until Molly Anne went to get Grady's stocking for him! We have it on video. It's priceless. Lots of happy tears from all of us! So tbd but probably late February early March for 2.0!

Grady outfitted with all of his new things. He loved it all!

Grady had also asked Santa to leave four autographs when he visited. One for him and three for his friends next door. Santa remembered! 

For breakfast I made our typical breakfast casserole and cinnamon rolls. I also tried a new one this year - French Toast Casserole. It was a winner and super easy. 

Fun with neighbors on Christmas Day. Molly Anne rode her scooter to Maggie and Greer's. 

Little Christmas Day dip. It was 75 and sunny. 

Kevin's family joined us that afternoon. I always make cream of crab soup and veg crab soup. We got some cocktail shrimp and Kevin grilled brats for them. I also made the Christmas tree biscuits. 

Our friends from next door came over and hung out for the rest of the night. A good day! 

My brother and his family came the next day to do Christmas. Grady totally stoked about his Gunner Henderson jersey (Orioles player)! He said he wants to wear it to watch him in a game next year!

It's cool to have cousins that do your hair and give you roller rabbit pjs!

I made Pioneer Woman's twice baked potatoes and burgundy mushrooms. My brother grilled Cilantro Lime Steak from butchers market. It was good! Those potatoes are a labor of love but having them ready before the crew got to our house was clutch!

On Saturday when they went back to SC, my parents and I drove to Maryland. Now it's Sunday and I'm at the airport flying back to Charlotte! 

It was a great week! 

Christmas Week

​Last Sunday I flew up to Maryland, my Dad picked me up at the airport and we drove back to Charlotte. He needed an extra hand to help my Mom on the ride. It was mostly easy and glad that worked out so they were able to come for Christmas.

These two built fires every day my Dad was with us. He even taught grady how to build one from scratch and no gas!

 

Christmas Eve Eve at Hilary and Drew's was a good time per usual. This has become one of our fav traditions! It's three couples and we each make a few apps. Easy peasy. 

We made fudge with the fudge professional - my dad! 

Christmas Eve we made Pioneer Woman's Beef Wellington for the first time. Usually we do a standing rib roast but this was good and way easier cleanup. It also wasn't as hard as it sounds! I also made Pioneer Woman Creamed Spinach. I had made it a few years ago and I honestly haven't loved it either time. Now I know!

I made a ton of meals this week but tried to keep them simpler but still stuff I don't usually take the time to make. 

Next up, Christmas Day and day after. 

Polar Express

​On Saturday night we headed to Spencer, NC to ride the Polar Express. We had to take the late, very dark, train at 7pm so my little people didn't realize it was a straight line about a tenth of a mile to the North Pole! We had gone in 2019 and 2022 but this year Grady extra loved it! Probably was our last time. It was fun!

We had dinner in Salisbury at a place called DJs and it was great. Then we ended up parking on the street right across from where you get on the train. That was the best because when we got off the train we had a 50 yard walk and in the car and back to Charlotte we went. Saved 20 min of walking at least!

First up - s'mores while we waited. We ended up seeing a friend that Molly Anne plays basketball with which was fun.

Molly Anne was chosen to do the HO HO HO contest which was right up her alley in front of a zillion people. 

Faces of Grady! 

Then we boarded the Holly train!

At the North Pole!

Dancing and Santa on the way back to the train station. A festive night with my people! 

Santa Brunch

​Last Sunday we had Santa Brunch! It's one of our fav traditions that our club does. Molly Anne asked for a golden retriever puppy and Grady had nothing he wanted to ask for and I guess last minute thought of some Baseball 101 clothes. Ha! He's a simple guy. 

They had a little train ride too and Molly Anne got to ride with her kids helping kids dude!

Three second grade cool guys!

It was super cold and windy so we didn't stay all afternoon like we've done in the past!

Ballantyne Gingerbread Lane

​I don't know how many years we've gone to the Ballantyne Resort to check out the gingerbread houses but it's a lot. We take the same pics every year! 

Gone are the days of smocked dresses and jon jons for these outings. Now we have monochromatic themed day at school then we go right after pick up and before football practice! 

Loved these in the hallway!