January has come and gone!

A whole year ahead of me...

what will I do with it? 

Those who know me best know that I am not the adventerous type.

I am perfectly happy to spend my time at home and be with 

my family, poodles, and friends.

When I was first married 

I really enjoyed working and being involved in philanthropy groups.

When the boys were in school I enjoyed helping out in the classroom, 

being involved in PTO, and Bible study. 

Up until this year I kept asking myself,

"Is there something wrong with me because this

(what may seem so small, easy or boring to others)

 is what makes me happy?"

I mean...

I've never felt like I'm "missing out".

I don't have a bucket list, nor will I ever have one.

I just like to take life as it comes and am so grateful for all God's blessings.

So, what will this homebody do this year?

Only God knows…but, 

there are a few exciting
"Not-like-Holly" 

events planned…stay tuned!

Once again we started out the year celebrating Tony's birthday!

That's always a great way to start the year :)

  

Kiely also had a birthday! 

This is her my senior year at my graduation open house.

Vera looks so much like her Momma!

Kiely has really been missing Lori so I was tickled when I found this picture.

I think it helps when we can see those we miss even if it's in a photograph. 

I love art and I have never been to a gallery opening.

So,

Tony, Graham, and I went to see one of Graham's favorite people,

Justin Vining. 

He was Graham's art teacher for two years in elementary school. 

Justin has a studio at the Harrison Center for the Arts in downtown Indy.

This was Graham's favorite piece in the show.

He was going to purchase it but while he was explaining what he liked about it to Tony, 

someone bought it.

Justin is known for his whimsical midwestern barns, trees, landscapes and houses.

You can go to Youtube, Etsy, Facebook etc. to check out his art.

You won't be sorry!

Evan and Ashley spent Evan's winter break from law school here in Fishers.

He had some of his brothers from The Citadel come and visit during that time.

Lehe and Matt are Seniors this year.

They are from SC and LA!

They were SO HAPPY it snowed!!

I took this picture after they were walking back from the lake.

They said how beautiful the lake was with all of the ice and geese.

They LOVED to shovel…yes, that is what I said!

They went skiing in Southern IN, and to the casino next to the slopes
and "ice-skating" on the lake! ha!

These pictures,

with Evan's best friend Kevin,

 were taken at 2:30 am after they had been out on the frozen lake.

They left for The Citadel at 6:00 that morning after spending a week here. 

I hope that they will always be close :)

After they left I took lots of walks

(and pictures of course)

down by the lake.

I'm glad those Southern Citadel Men put the love of winter back in my heart.

I never really wanted to go down by the lake because it was so cold 

and I thought desolate…I was so wrong!

January is always a hard month for me.

But, some things that have helped me this year is the fact that the boys

and Ashley 

were here until the middle of the month.

And,

the lake has been a life saver!

I love to go there to watch and listen to the geese. 

And we have been blessed with so much sunshine this winter!

The beginning of the trail through the woods.

The lake is to the right.

This is the view for half of the walk.

Nearing the end of the trail.

The back of our house is straight ahead.

I do a lot of dreaming, thinking, and reminiscing on this trail.

I walked the trail in the woods on January 14 

which would've been Todd's Dad's birthday.

I later found this quote and it really cleared up why those days are always so hard.

Another blessing to help this winter is this ray of sunshine in my life!

Always with a smile on her face :)

I was baby-sitting this day.

She was very busy and... 

...she loved my socks! Ha!

Kiely had her six month 

(she's 8 months but who's counting)

pictures taken at our house because of the lighting.

Here were just of a few behind the scenes shots!

I can't wait to see Melody's! 

Next, 

playing dress up :)

Wait…who's that?

Hey girl, Heeey!!

Want to see my pearls?!

Precious

London Bridge :)

It was a success!

I went over to Kiley's for lunch a couple days after the photo shoot. 

Poor Vera was teething :(

I think you can tell what she thinks about getting teeth! 

She was still so happy and busy playing :)

The following week

Doug and Vladimir needed groomed.

When Lindsay grooms my boys I watch her Greyson.

(I definitely have the better end of the deal!)

 Kiely brought Vera over for a play date!

Vera's introducing herself.

They played so well together!

And don't worry Vera, 

in about 50+ years Greyson will be wearing that t-shirt! ha!

People would pay big bucks for that baby boys hair color!!

Beautiful head of hair!

See ya in six weeks new friend!

I went another day that week to watch this little monkey!

Those teeth were about to get the best of her :(

But the banana teether was doing the trick!

God love her!

You can tell she's just not herself…but, she's still smiling!!

One of Kiely's friends, Casey asked me on Instagram if she always smiles 

and I sent her this…

Yep!

Always a smile on her face!

And,

THIS MADE ME SMILE...

Todd has owned three business under one roof for ten years now.

After a year of praying, negotiations and planning

on January 30,

he sold half of his business to a former employee!

He sent me this picture right after the transaction.

I usually edit pictures, 

but I wanted to see the time this picture was taken :)

I cannot praise God enough for allowing Todd the opportunity to 

own Magnetic Instrumentation, Inc., Utility Systems, Inc. and KJS Assoc.

He and I agreed that the time has come to enjoy life while we are young and have our health.

By selling the Magnetic division it

 will allow Todd to solely concentrate on USI, Inc.

He left on a business trip to NY today 

feeling like a weight had been lifted off of his shoulders

and eager to grow USI, Inc.

Congratulations, Babe!

I am looking forward to the extra time we will have 

to spend together!!!!

And on the last day of January we went to watch Graham 

start his sophomore year playing tennis for Wabash.

Graham is officially a Lambda Chi!

They were having a formal that night and depending on how long the match 

lasted he and Shelby were going to try to go.

However, the weather was too bad when we left around 9pm that night 

so they couldn't go :(

But he played some good tennis!

Warming up

Introductions

Getting fired up!

Match play

They have a pretty good team this year!

Go Bash!

Ashley is still working hard managing the Greenwood Dottie 

and 

doing event hair and hair and makeup for Dottie shoots.

This is one of the Dottie models that posted a picture and 

sweet comments

about Ashley :)

 That's a good thing…

Because this sweet "braid fairy" 

as her followers call her,

hardly gets any sleep!

This is her new business card :)

And her new planner!

She already has a wedding booked for July!

This precious girl is working herself to death.

I would worry about it but... 

SHE LOVES IT!

Evan is busy, busy, busy, busy with Law School.

This is a rare occasion! 

They are both home at the same time 

and 

RELAXING!

  

Only 5 more weeks and we will all be in Florida for 

SPRING BREAK!

But for now...

I'll just enjoy the beautiful Indiana sunsets!