A Year in Review.... so long 2014

It's time for the annual review of the year.  Last year we had weddings and celebrations; this year was of course more celebrations but a bit more quiet in the weddings department!  The year was full more of family moments and memories than huge highlights...but to us THESE are the BEST times.

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

Long time no chat..... 2014 happenings

Hmm it's been awhile since we've chatted, sorry about that.  It's been pretty busy - a good busy.

Trevor started 2nd grade and photography has been booming (so to say.)  We did our annual trip to the beach before the school year and did Coach Pitch baseball this season!

We celebrated birthdays, holidays and just because days (everyone deserves those!)  Needless to say there's just too much that happened to truly catch you up on it all.

My best thing is to put a few pics here and then do my Annual BEST of blog for the year!  So here it goes...

a little frustrated --- can't get my photos to load in calendar order.... so bear with me. Scroll down to see some summer, fall and winter fun!  Get ready for the BEST of 2014 Blog! It'll be coming soon!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Second Grade here we come - August 2014

Circle of Games in School (Oct 2014)

Coach Pitch Baseball Season - Fall 2014 Timber Rattlers

Grandma Gail, Patsy and Mark visit

Thanksgiving at the Couch House

24 experiences for Christmas brought  us to Bethlehem (Burnet TX)

Surfside Fun August 2014

Happy "Golden" Birthday to Trevor

So a "Golden" Birthday (for those who did not know like me lol ) is when you turn the age your birthdate is..... for Trevor being born on July 7th - his 7th birthday is his golden one (as 21 was mine and 31 was Justin.)  Moving on ---- :)

We celebrated this year a bit smaller in party size and at my sister's new house with her pool.  Trevor still very much loves Ocean Animals.....and has found a new cartoon on Disney called Octonauts.  It seems a bit "young" for him but his passion for learning about animals is ignited with this show as he can learn all about sea creatures.  This was the theme he chose and se we went with it.

Of course I consulted Pinterest for food and decor ideas.  It is my go to place for creativity! ;)  We served some lite munchies and drinks while everyone relaxed pool side (or pool in!)  He had a cute group of friends join him and I think all in all he had a great Birthday!!!  Some of his fav gifts -- Pokemon cars, Razor scooter, games for his DS/Wii, writing tablet and a dolphin!!! That's right his cousins made a donation to WWF in his name and a dolphin was named for him! It was so cute watching his face as he read it, then the next day asking when his dolphin would be there!!

 

For his actual birthday (party was on the 12th this year) we tried to do some mom/son things but we both just weren't up to it --- so we rented movies and games and chilled at home.  I made spaghetti and we had blue cupcakes for dessert!  He is truly a loved little boy!  Nona and Matt ate dinner with us, Papa visited that morning and he got phone call after phone call from his other family members!

Trevor, We are so proud of the little man you are becoming! Your love for animals is so passionate and sweet.  We hope you continue to have many birthdays filled with fun and laughter. Love Momma and Dad

Happy 4th!!!

I haven't done a "seasonal" photo shoot of Trevor in about a year!  So I thought with my recent "Pinterest creations" of DIY banners and such that I would get my items together and have Trevor "model" one last time -- for ol' times sake.

He wasn't that thrilled about it - promptly reminding me "I thought I never had to take pictures again!"  But I quickly stated it was not for modeling but just for fun to share with family!!  So here they are!

We hope you all have a fabulous and safe Fourth!  We will be spending it at Schlitterbahn in honor of Trevor's upcoming birthday and traditional birthday trip (usually Seaworld - but we're changing it up now that Trevor is such a strong swimmer!)  We'll meet up with the Seeleys and have some pre-birthday fun!  Limited fireworks for us!!!

Be safe!  Have fun!  Celebrate your freedom, independence and those who gave it to us!
With love -- the Hills

Baseball Fun

I know it's been  awhile but here's a book I just got for FREE at Shutterfly that covers his Spring season!  T-Ball CHAMPS!!!!

Click here to view this photo book larger

You'll love award-winning Shutterfly photo books. Start your own today.

I'll try and blog soon - I promise!

Watch what you wish for.....

So Trevor had his first Principal visit yesterday.  SMH  for of all things - standing on his chair in the cafeteria!  I mean really?!???  But still we visited the principal so some major "Parenting" was needed to set the record straight that this was unacceptable behavior.

The Child Development Specialist in me went into full force, while the mother in me cringed with embarrassment and desire to just yell and take away all fun things in his life!  I set up a little work station for him when he got home from baseball practice.  He would read 3 books - I am a Good Friend; I'm in Charge of Me and I show Respect.  After that he had 5 reflective pages of questions where he would write his thoughts/answers......"What is respect?" "How do I show respect?" "What do I do if I am upset?" "Who are some friends who help me make safe and responsible decisions?" "What should I do if a friend wants me to make a choice that is not safe and responsible?"  Then 2 papers folded to look like cards (meant to be apology cards to the principal and Lunch Monitor)

Trevor walks in and immediately says "I guess you heard the news?"  face looking down and voice quiet.  I ask him to tell me..... so he does and we have a little conversation about this incident, what led up to it and what followed.  Then I explain his tasks.  He grumpily begins to read one book.  Then chooses to answer his reflective questions.  I leave him for a bit, then return to see how he is progressing as I heard some grunts and sighs from the other room.  He has answered all the questions and is working on reading another book - "I'm in Charge of Me." 

He is to be eating his dinner at the same time.... Fish, vegetables with ranch and strawberries.  I notice that all the berries are gone, some veggies eaten and no bites on the fish.  So he asks what it is and I explain how I bought this "big fish" because he said he likes it. We "argue" a bit about it then he very matter-of-factly looks at me and says "See Mom, THIS is what I am talking about?"  I ask "what do you mean?"  "THIS, THIS is what I always say."  I again ask "What?"  He states "Why can't I make my own decisions?"  OUCH........ he picks up the book and begins to point out pages to me "Like this" he says...... so I try to explain that sometimes Mommy and Daddy's have to decide things, sometimes he can decide things and sometimes it's just the RULES and he has to follow them. 

At this point I quit arguing about the fish - he can eat if he wants.  He continues to work.  I discuss some consequences and I again get the "I thought I was supposed to say what I want to do? Why can't I do what I want to do?"  OUCH again.....  Now I'm thinking the "I'm in Charge of Me" book is getting taken too literally.  So I explain that when he doesn't make good choices he cannot have privileges -- which is what prompted that second blow to my CDS ego - as he found out that there will be NO video/electronic fun until Mommy and Daddy deem otherwise.

I'd love to say we discussed all the things he is in charge of, but at this point in the activities I needed his focus to be on his apology to wasting the principal's time and not following the rules.  But seriously, gotta love it when your "teaching moment" turns into its own beast!!!