In no particular order..... possibly chronological.... our Top Ten moments of 2014.
1) Baseball Champs! Spring Season with the Rangers (Coach Steven and Tim) brought us a Championship win. It was a great way to end our T-ball seasons and head into the summer. Fall ball brought a few challenges but we still managed to walk away with a 3rd place champs trophy! We had a new team and new coaches but quickly saw Trevor emerge as a ball player! He was dubbed "most consistent" on his team :) We can't wait to see what the 2015 Spring Season has in store!
2) Annual Cabo trip brought on some fun and stories to last a life time! We were accompanied this year by the Moore Family. I worked with Kathy for 2 years when I was pregnant with Trevor. She is my 'soul sista' and such a sweet lady. Her hubby and son, Patrick joined us and definitely gave us some memories -- fire in the hotel, screen door run in, anniversaries galore and sunbathing shopping! It was a good time and we were so excited to share it with dear friends! Like we always say -- anyone is free to join us! Just ask the Moores - I think we know how to have a good time ;)
3) Hottest, Coolest Time in Texas - Schlitterbahn! Instead of our annual trip to Seaworld for Trevor's birthday we opted for Schlitterbahn this time as Trevor has gained great skills in swimming and we felt he could hold his own! The Seeleys met up with us for the fun and fun it was! Trevor did great - only getting flipped a few times and separated from the group once! No one got kicked out (yes this has happened before hahahaha) and we all left with smiles and photos of our adventures.
4) Birthdays, Birthdays - oh my! Trevor celebrated his "golden" birthday this year with a swim party at my sister's house Octonaut themed (sea animal) - receiving a dolphin as a gift (well really it was a donation to WWF in his honor -- which meant a dolphin named for him). Fun was had by all - especially our new cousin Hannah! Justin celebrated the big 4-0. We had a big gathering at the DeGroot Ranch complete with the band, munchies, and a photo slideshow of his 40 years of life! I was able to get a few surprise guests to attend and I have no doubt Justin was loving every minute of it (my little Leo!!!)
5) Friendly Celebrations and Tribulations -- I got a free trip to the Katy Perry concert in Houston! Thanks Michelle G!!! However, we sadly said goodbye to Justin's Uncle Reed (catching up with family we hadn't seen in years) as well as one of Tim's Brothers. Heaven gained 3 angels in a short period of time for Justin.
But with every moment of solace there are moments of celebration. Amanda finally weds!!!! Though this might be something that would be in her highlights, it was also one of mine for a few reasons..... mostly I was just so happy for her. She had a few milestones this year and I was so happy to help and be a part of so many of them - wedding, new house, new job and watching Avery grow to be a BIG sister! She is one of my dearest friends and her happiness is our happiness! Her bachelorette party, the 100s of invitations (haha), moving day, photo shoots and bridal shower!!! Memories.......Plus now we have a place to crash when we go to Schlitterbahn lol ;)
6) Trainer of the Year - yep you heard right, I was named AAEYC Trainer of the Year! It's the Austin chapter that I won - which put me in the running for Texas - but I didn't get that one :( That's ok because this honor was super special anyways. I got honored in front of family and friends and managed to get thru my "speech" (I actually did a powerpoint training presentation just to liven up the place) without too much crying! Thanks to everyone who put in their nomination for me.
7) Surfside, Texas - back again! Yep we did our annual beach trip right before school started as we always do with the Denton family. They are always so sweet to host us for a long weekend and we always have such fun. Trevor really perfected the art of boogie boarding and still loves to go crabbing and feed the gulls. It was nice to just sit and relax, listening to the sounds of the ocean.
8) Bye bye First Grade - hello Second! Well First grade ended with a trip or 2 to the principal's office but with rave reviews from his teacher. We love Mrs Ward and all she did for our little man. Second grade started just as rough but we are hoping it's stopped with the visits to the Principal. Ms Browder is just as loving to our boy and he's still excelling academically so we couldn't be prouder. Now to get that little socialization and impulse control under wraps :)
9) Holiday fun - For Easter, my dad had his brother, SIL and niece visit so we had a huge yet yummy luncheon at Cafe Blue. For Thanksgiving we gathered at Macee's for a yummy traditional meal. Then for Christmas the whole family was together (again at Macee's - she's the one with the huge gorgeous house!!!) for a new traditional dinner (Chinese take out). We were blessed to all be together for our little gatherings. They may be here and there but always nice to see everyone all together just enjoying catching up or playing a little competitive gambling of LCR!!!!
10) Work - we are glad to say we both still have the same jobs and that we both still LOVE our jobs. Not many people can say that they LOVE what they do but I am glad we do. There's always that dream of more money, taking more trips, just sitting at home and doing nothing but if we had to work I think we'd both pick these jobs! Photography has been going steady and was a bit crazy the past 2 months. I've been learning more and more and hopefully my clients would say I'm getting better and better. I've got a handful that are repeaters so that should say something ;) It's still just a hobby that helps pay for trips, pay off debt and give a little cushion to that savings plan you're supposed to have (which we never really did). It feels nice to be in a good place financially (though it's nothing splendor) and not living quite so paycheck to paycheck as we have. God has been good and hopefully he'll continue to grace us with his love. We hope to have even better news in 2015..... but you'll just have to wait to hear all about that!
Thanks to each of you for being our rocks, support, cheering section or shoulder to cry on. For listening to our whines and celebrations. For attending sporting games, award ceremonies, birthdays or friendly gatherings. We love and appreciate each of you and what you have given us. We hope that 2015 brings you all you wish and desire. Remember that life is what YOU make it. We're trying hard to make ours full of memories and moments of love and joy! Here's to 2015!!! CHEERS
