Top 17 Moments of 2017

Heeey friends!!! How were your holidays?! Ours was wonderful with lots of time spent with family! I keep seeing this post pop up on social media and it is.so.true.

Top 16 Moments of 2016

Another year has flown by and when I reflected back on the year- so many memories came to mind that I truly will treasure forever. 2016 was a big year for us- full of celebrations and time spent with family. Sure, there were hard moments and sad moments but the memories that stick out are the ones that were full of laughter and love. And isn't that a great reminder? That even in the worst situation, just when you think you won't get out of it, God always has a way of getting you through and there is always a rainbow at the other side.

I don't remember the time when Saidey had a tantrum in Target and I had to carry her out to the car or the time that Sophia slammed her door and declared me the worst mommy ever because I wouldn't let her do something. No, I remember the hugs, the smiles, and the complete unconditional love that happened in 2016.

Check out my favorite memories from 2015! 

So, without further ado- here are my top 16 moments of 2016!

1.) In January, I joined an incredible group of mamas over at Des Moines Moms Blog and really stepped outside of my comfort zone. This was for sure a FAVORITE part of 2016 and I can't wait to continue this journey into 2017!

Here is my first post I wrote for DMMB

2.) Celebrating Saidey's 3rd birthday party was an absolute favorite! I love celebrations and love making the day special!

3.) I discovered a love for chalk paint. I did a makeover on our dining table and chairs. I was SOOOO scared to start but once I started, I was trying to think of all the things I could cover with chalk paint!

Before

After (first coat only)

Chairs

I have several projects I'd like to start in 2017 and can't wait to figure out which one I want to tackle first! 

4.) Mother's Day was a favorite moment! 

5.) My sister and I are 8 years apart. It was a favorite moment to see her walk across the stage and earn her Bachelor's degree from Drake University

6.) Memorial Day 2016 was a favorite moment

7.) Between swimming lessons and swimming at my mom's pool- Summer 2016 included goggles, lots of towel and swim suit washings and of course sunscreen. Pool time was a definite favorite this Summer!

8.) Our trip to Italy in July was an absolute FAVORITE!

You can see posts about our trip here, here, and here! 

9.) Celebrating this girl's SIXTH birthday flamingo style was a FAVORITE

10.) In July, we also decided to put our townhome of 7 years on the market! 

It sold in 7 days!

11.) As always, going to the Iowa State Fair (twice!) was a favorite 

12.) We decided to take a break from all the packing and took the girls to Adventureland, our local amusement park. This brought back so many memories from childhood for me and the best part?! I got to take Sophia on her first BIG rollercoaster! I was so proud of her and it was such a favorite moment! 

13.) Turning 30 brought some reservations but it turned out to be a pretty great day

14.) In September, we moved and settled into our new home. ALL of it was a FAVORITE! Well, except the packing and the unpacking =) 

One last picture in front of Unit 72

Saying goodbye to our sweet townhome 

And hello to our new home!

15.) With a new home, the outside work took some getting used to. But this moment was a favorite and I have a feeling we'll have a lot more favorite moments working outside together as a family!

16.) Christmas in a new home certainly was a FAVORITE 

Tell me, what were some of YOUR favorite moments from 2016?

Wishing you a very HAPPY NEW YEAR! Bring it on 2017! =)

Weekend Recap- First Post of 2016

Hey Monday! 

These were my sentiments last night...

Anyway, we had a great LONG weekend but are actually excited and ready to get back into the swing of things! 

We spent NYE by having pizza, fondue and then watching movies. The girls counted down to midnight at 8PM and then headed to bed shortly after. Will and I stayed up and watched the NYE shows and then headed to bed ourselves shortly after midnight. I know, we're crazy!

NYE Countdown

I mean, this picture is everything. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! 

After we partied hard to welcome in 2016, we woke up on the first day of the year and headed to Flix Brewhouse to catch the Alvin and the Chipmunks movie.

And then later, during quiet time......

This may be one of the times when I ask WM what HIS child is doing....

Friday evening was spent watching the Hawkeyes game and then pretending to be really sad for WM that they lost. =) Hehe. No, really, they had an amazing season and it was too bad they lost so badly in the Rose Bowl. 

Saturday morning was spent running errands. We hit Target (that T word again), Trader Joes, and HyVee. 

My shopping helpers 

We got home and the girls camped out in the kitchen. Sophia had asked for a snack when we got home and I got busy putting away groceries and forgot. I looked over and found them like this:

What patient girls! =)

While Saidey settled in for quiet time, the big girls headed to Charming Charlie and Target (dang, that T word again!!) 

Saturday night was spent binging on Gilmore Girls and lounging.

Sunday was our productive day. We put away all the Christmas decorations and cleaned up and worked on laundry.

Who else feels that after all the decorations are put away, your home feels so bare?! Made me want to redecorate! =)

After we were finished cleaning up, we settled in for lunch and some quiet time. I had a few things to do in the afternoon and so I was able to get those done while they rested. 

Look at those girls! GAH! 

We had a crock pot soup recipe, which I found here

I follow her blog, Mix and Match Family as well as her food blog! 

It was yummy but I was the only one who thought so. Good thing I like leftovers! 

I didn't think to get a pic but here's one from the site

That's it for now! Happy Monday!