These Were a Few of My Favorite Things

Since I'll probably be talking about Christmas until the end of the year, I thought I'd spend today showing you some of my favorite moments from 2013. It has been a busy, but beautiful year. So thankful for all the moments - good and bad, easy and difficult - that made up this year.

January.

 Our SHARE fundraiser week is always a lot of fun - but also takes just about everything we've got, emotionally speaking. It was a joy to have Ryan take two vacation days to join me for the last two days of it - and even to get to share the air waves with him for a few minutes...right back where it all started, baby!

February.

 My very first Valentine's Day - ever - to have a Valentine. We skipped the crowds, stayed in and cooked for each other and had dinner complete with flowers and sparkling grape juice. Won't ever forget this beautiful day!

March.

 Our at-home reception was in March, and it was so fun to crawl back in the wedding attire we loved so much and share our wedding video with everyone who wasn't able to be in Florida with us. Wedding...complete!!!

April.

 Never had a chance to spoil a husband on his birthday until APRIL!! What a great day we had - and I loved celebrating his life with him. Also loved that we could be the same age for 2 1/2 weeks. But I digress....

May.

 The winning photo of 2013...because nothing describes the two of us like what you see above. This also shows my bravest moment of 2013. What a fun trip this was...our birthday bash to the Creation Museum with a side trip to zipline.

June.

 This may be my favorite picture of us from this year. It was from Father's Day...and it shows how much I love having someone to take home for days like this. That has been one of the biggest blessings of this year.

July.

 Ryan planned some AMAZING dates for us this year and picking my favorite seems as cruel as picking a favorite child, but I think this one might be at the top. The movie night date. He picked me up at a baby shower with this amazing nest made in the back of the car, and a full supply of pizza, pop, popcorn and cookies - and we went to the drive-in and watched Monsters University. GOOD JOB, BABY.

August.

 Another of my favorite pictures from this year...from our first cruise!!! We happened upon a stretch of unoccupied beach in Nassau and had the BEST afternoon just enjoying the beach {and a photo shoot} before the sky broke LOOSE in rain!

September.

 I love being able to be a goofball with Ryan! This picture was taken during an evening when we entertained some friends and took over the game we were playing with the kiddo...and it was just FUN. Thankful to have FUN.

October.

 We love taking little weekender trips whenever we can, and this one was from our trip up near Chicago to visit my friends, Frog and Jenna. We went to Edwards Orchard and took full advantage of the photo opps. Have I mentioned I love having a goofy fun husband?

November.

 Loved our chance to get away for the weekend for our first anniversary - a very fun weekend in Indianapolis. This part was a highlight. Sure was better than the day we found a bite out of a donut we'd left in our room!!

December.

 And now we're to the first of our seconds...our second Christmas together. We've had a great month, decorating, shopping, celebrating, and looking forward to a new year!!!

Thanks, God, for providing such a lovely year for us!