Good Bye 2014

It's been a great year…our first year of living in New Boston.  We are super excited about 2015 and have resolved to make many more memories and pictures this year!  Here's a few of my favorite pictures from 2014. 

Christmas Stockings

We have the best Christmas tradition at The Grands house, our stockings!  Everyone buys or makes little gifts that we lovingly refer to as "stuffers" and we fill up each other's stockings.  It's always a race to find unique or interesting little gifts.  We don't just sit down and rip into everything either….oh no.  We sit around in a big circle and take turns, opening them one by one.  It takes about two hours from start to finish!  I probably say this every year, but the stuffers this year were the best and most fun yet!
    

Merry Christmas!

The big red guy did make a stop at our house but Ladybug did not wake up early to go and see.  In fact, we ended up having to go in and wake her up ourselves around 8:30!

When she walked in and saw the presents around the Christmas tree, she stood frozen in awe with her mouth wide open.  It was hilarious!

It didn't take long after that for her to dive right in.  Her favorite toy this Christmas was the Doc Mobile.

But the first item on her list was a car!  Vroom, vroom!

December Daily - Day 24

Ready for Santa!

December Daily - Day 22

Ahhh, a day off today...finally. We wrapped and got everything ready for Christmas. Ladybug and I had a great day together!

We even snuck over to Nanny's to put some presents under her tree. They weren't home so we played in the backyard for a bit.

Yes, shorts today! It was 68 degrees!

December Daily - Day 21

She's so excited to be going to Sunday School this morning.

December Daily - Day 20

The presents have been under our tree since Thanksgiving. No one's really said anything or looked at them until today. Maybe it's because she knows Christmas is just a few days away. Or maybe it's because she's excited to be on Christmas break.

This morning I found her playing around the tree and reading all the names on the tags. If you look close you can see her little animals that were jumping from one present to the next.

I'm ready to rip into those presents too, Ladybug!

December Daily - Day 19

Today was the last day of school before the Christmas break. Ladybug pretty much went to school for about two hours and then had a Christmas party. T and I both surprised her at the party!

December Daily - Day 18

Today was our infamous candy day! Coco couldn't come but Mom and I had a blast and seriously spent almost the entire day making candy.

We were still working when Ladybug came home from school so she donned an apron and jumped right in with us.

December Daily - Day 14

Guess who finally came home after being gone for a whole week?

Here's a little hint:

December Daily - Day 13

A few pictures of Ladybug at Sparkle! Christmas at the Anatole in Dallas with Coco. They are having a fun weekend while T and I are working.

December Daily - Day 11

Ladybug and I attempted to assemble the lighted deer for the front yard. After much pushing and pulling and both of us covered in gold glitter, we gave up. The deer are "resting" in a pile at the front door waiting for T to get home from his travels. I was hoping a lighted deer fairy might stop by but so far, no luck! Maybe we'll have lights next year!

December Daily - Day 10

As you know, working in retail means I'm working a lot during this time of year. Some days I feel like I haven't had a chance to make a fun Christmas memory for Ladybug. But it looks like she's doing a great job of making her own little fun memories. Gdad sent me this picture when they went down to the "shop" to gather firewood. Looks like they were having quite the yummy little picnic snack too.

December Daily - Day 9

The school had a little Christmas fun night with crafts, snacks and Santa Claus.

December Daily - Day 7

A quick pic at Tom's work Christmas party. We drove up Sunday after I got off and will be headed home tomorrow after his work meetings. I get to do a little Dallas shopping while he's working!

December Daily - Day 6

There was a basketball goal at our new (to us) house but when we moved in it was gone. I had been kind of excited about having one...Coco and I had one growing up and we spent hours outside shooting hoops.

Tom visited out neighbor's moving sale...didn't buy a thing but asked her what she was going to do with the basketball goal. She ended up giving it to us and a a few days later he hauled it to our house.

We replaced the net quite easily and then dug around and found a basketball. This girl has had a blast learning how to dribble and shoot!

December Daily - Day 5

Working on Christmas cards today. I received my first one in the mail so now I'm feeling pressure to get them addressed and on their way!

December Daily - Day 4

After working the past 9 days straight, I was so ready for my day off today. Although, it wasn't much of a day off...so many chores and shopping and Christmas readying to do.

We took Ladybug downtown tonight to watch the Christmas parade and then it was DQ for dinner. She was so excited to get to eat dessert first!

December Daily - Day 3

A sweet little Christmas tree in Bug's room. It's going to be decorated with Tom's Simpsons ornaments....as soon as we find them.

December Daily - Day 2

The decorating is complete!

December Daily - Day 1

While I really wanted to complete an actual December Daily album this month, the realistic me decided it wasn't going to happen. What I can do is share some photos every day this month!

Ladybug received a fun cupcake tin advent calendar from Becky and Abby and opening Day 1 was her first priority before breakfast this morning!

Happy Halloween

Ladybug is obsessed with Doc McStuffins right now, so there was no question about her wanting to be Doc for Halloween.

We took turns taking her to trick or treat and we learned something about our neighborhood…apparently it is THE place to trick or treat!  Kids were being hauled in on trailers and coming by in car loads.  It was crazy!  Note to self: Buy more candy next year!

At 5 1/2 Years Old

This sweet girl has just blossomed the past 6 months.  Mostly she's gotten taller!

*Ladybug loves school and is so excited about learning to read.

*She gets in trouble at school for talking too much!

*She wears us out at home, talking so much!

*Current favorites are Doc McStuffins and Jake & The Neverland Pirates.

*She wants a dog very badly…but we got her a fish tank instead.

*Still has the occasional tantrum when she doesn't get her way, but this has improved so much.

*Ladybug plays well with others…also much improved.

*Her drawing skills are crazy awesome and extremely imaginative.

*She weighs 36 pounds, 40" tall, size 9 shoe and size 4-5 clothing.

First Day of School

I can't believe this sweet girl is headed to her first day of Kindergarten.  She's so excited to be going back to school.  I'm excited for her to be going back to school.  We thrive being on a routine around here, so this is good for us.

Fun at the Carnival

This chiclet had seen the carnival from the road several days ago and all she could talk about was how she wanted to go ride the rides.  We surprised her and stopped by tonight and I'm pretty sure she tried every single ride they had!  She whined to stay longer but we know she was exhausted.  We barely pulled out of the parking lot and she was already fast asleep.  

Four Eyes

When Ladybug went for her 5 year old checkup, she didn't do very well on the eye exam so we made her an appointment with the eye doctor. I'm so glad we did this before school started as she is definitely near sighted. Apparently, she'll be wearing glasses the rest of her life. The transition has gone quite well so far and she's been wearing them without complaints or problems. Although, there was that one day when I dropped her off at Nanny's in her pajamas and forgot the glasses. Gasp! I was in a lot of trouble over that one and won't make that mistake again.

She barely has the nose bridge to hold up glasses. Hehe. The pretty pink ones fit her the best!

Weekend at LA Cabin

We managed to clear a long weekend off so we hit the road to Louisiana for a fun weekend at our favorite spot.  It's so funny to me, but this girl would rather go fishing (like her Dad) than go swimming!  I'm hoping this wears off fast, because I'm headed to the pool!  

Today is 7-11 !!

Translation:

A Daddy-Daughter adventure day that includes free slurpees at 7-Eleven!

Happy Fourth!