month of makin' moves!

December was a very full month of makin' moves!

(as Kiely and Chad always say)

It started out with a girlie night on my birthday with Ashley and Shelby!

We went out to dinner and we were going to go to a movie but the one that we wanted 

to see wasn't playing.

So...

...we went to Ulta, bought a new curling iron~

came home and did hair!

What else!?

A lot of hair!

Made silly faces and took pictures.

I don't look like it but 

I certainly felt like I was 14 instead of 48!

Thank you both for one of the best birthday's ever :)

The next day we went shopping for Ashley's wedding dress!

Here is the bride-to-be with her maid of honor, Cait :)

One might think that it is too early to look for a wedding dress
in December for an August wedding.

 And to that I would say...

1. IT'S NEVER TOO EARLY TO LOOK FOR WEDDING DRESSES! 

2.

Do you see the boots that Ashley is wearing?

One of those boots was about to be replaced with walking cast/boot 

so...

we had to make the most of this shopping day

because it takes at least 4-6 months to get a dress in and then more time for fittings.

August 2, seemed even closer after hearing that news!

But, no worries!

Ashley was focused and already knew exactly what she was looking for.

The first dress that she walked out in was it!

She tried on two more to be sure 

but, beamed as she reappeared in the first one!

We cancelled the other two bridal appointments and celebrated Ashley's success

by going to lunch!

Ashley and Cait

 looking at the pictures of that PERFECT dress over and over!!!

Ashley's mom, Penny!

She and I are going to need a lot of water proof mascara on the day of the wedding!

Ashley wanted Kiely and Gma Kay to be there too :)

It was such a fun memorable day!

The following weeks brought

finals, Ashley's surgery...

...and the death of Todd's Mom's oldest brother, Maurice. 

Here he is with two year old Evan :)

Often he would stop by Todd's mom's and have homemade biscuits and strawberry jam.

He will be missed.

After his touching funeral 

we went over to my mom's for the annual Christmas cookie baking day!

Becky was in town for a few days and it was so good to see her!

I love that the boys still want to do this.

They do a great job!

The next day Christmas traditions continued

when we took the boys and their girls to the IRT to see 

A Christmas Carol and then to dinner.

This was the Sunday after Ashley had her surgery.

I couldn't believe that she was up and walking!

Another thing that I can't believe is the fact that we all match and it wasn't even planned!

While Todd was parking the car I got some pictures with my boys and girls!

Evan tending to his girl.

It was a long night and I thought that she did great :)

I always look forward to this night!

Finally, it was Christmas Eve and Mammy's birthday!

We went over to her house for dinner and presents.

Mammy opening up our gift.

Modeling the scarf that Ashley made for her!

Ashley's new shoes from Mammy!

The boys opening their gift from Mammy.

The boys digging in their stockings from Mammy.

Ashley's PINK stocking!

After we came home from celebrating Mammy's Birthday and Christmas we

decided to have the boys open up some surprise gifts.

Todd bought a boat so...

He got the boys some skis,

a knee board,

a wakeboard,

a three man tube, and

life jackets for all whom play or ride in the boat!

(captain's hat from Ashley)

I feel lots of fun times ahead with this Captain at the helm!

The next day we had Christmas with my side of the family.

We missed Troy and Ellen!!

Ellen was home sick...like I was last year :(

We also were minus Chad and Becky!

Graham and Todd aren't in any pictures because Graham had gone over to Shelby's and 

Todd was snoozing in the den!

A few days later we got together with some of Todd's cousins and their families.

Every year at Thanksgiving when we see one another and say we are going to get 

together and never do...but, not this year!

We watched old (really old) 35mm film that Todd's dad had shot.

THAT WAS SOOO MUCH FUN!

 The cousins, and girlfriend and boyfriends
 hung out and played Xbox and games in the basement :)

We are NOT waiting until next December to do this again!

The next week would soon bring in the new year.

Ashley and I were busy addressing 

"Save the Date" cards for the wedding!

Todd and I then headed down to Fripp 

New Years Eve Day

while 

Ashley, the boys and 

Doug and Vladimir held down the fort.

(who knew that a blizzard was forming!)

I could sit out on that porch all day long!

It's always so peaceful here.

However, all good things...blah, blah, blah!

I shot this picture before heading up the mountains.

Oh how I was dreading what was on the other side!

Yep!

Snow was on the other side. Ugh!

We finally made it to the Indiana line.

I woke up to sunshine and blue skies (thank you Lord!),
lots of snow and an 80 degree (with windchill) temperature change!
But, it was absolutely gorgeous!

Hard to believe that this...

...is this!

My poor Rose of Sharon.

Some more before and after the blizzard pictures...

I still cannot believe all of the snow.

Almost 14 inches!

Look at the snow on the chairs!

And Ashley and Evan's cars!

It looks like Evan has a surf board on his.

And since there is no place to go...

...there was a lot of sleeping and snuggling :)

No Vladimir, I'm not going to move you!

It was a busy December 

and January has started out the same.

January 4th was Kiely's 30th birthday!

(which also means that I have been out of high school for 30 yrs!)

No, this isn't wine just sparkling grape juice for this soon to be Momma!

In this picture she was four days away 

from knowing if this cute little bump is because of a 

girl or boy!

But, she had to unwrap this surprise first!

This cute little blonde flew in from CA

right before the blizzard to wish 

Kiely a happy 30th!

Is that sweet or what!

These four are always there for one another!
I pray that they will always be close...there's nothing like best friends!

I hated missing your surprise party, sweetie.

Alan, it looks like you pulled it off!

These two are going to be the best parents!

...speaking of which...

This was the announcement that Kiely put on facebook

when she announced that she was pregnant.

And this is the announcement that they will be having a healthy baby...

GIRL!!!!!

I love her so much already!

And Kiely said that she can finally feel her move!

...speaking of moving...

That will be us in a couple weeks.

We get the keys to the new house tomorrow evening!

And, the boys will be moving back to school this weekend/first of the week.

I have loved every minute that they have been home 

but 

I am ready to have order and routine back in my life.

I do believe we all are!