2016 Highlights

I can't believe 2016 is coming to an end. I always feel very bittersweet at the start of a new year. I love to reminisce about everything we did in the year and would love to hold on to those moments forever (which thanks to the many, many pictures I take, I can) but a fresh new year is also a good thing and I have started to embrace it.

I'm looking back at my favorite moments of 2016 today - most will include time with my little family who I love more than anything and am grateful for us all having a great year - I hope 2017 brings the same

In January we took these cuties to volunteer for Feed My Starving Children - I plan to do this with Brayden again in the new year

In February we celebrated Valentine's Day with these cuties and also had a cousin bake off challenge

We had my Mom's 60th birthday celebration at our house in March

In April we celebrated Easter

In May, Brayden started baseball. It was so awesome to watch him grow in this sport

We also took some family pics that I will always cherish

May also brought Ella's first dance recital and it was just the cutest thing ever

In June I got to stop by Brayden's school and run with him for an event they were doing

We also went on a family/friends vacation to South Haven, MI

Brayden lost his first tooth in June!

And we took the kids to their first professional baseball game (on a 90+ degree day!)

July brought Book of Mormon with my family

And 4th of July

Brayden's birthday was celebrated in July with a superhero theme and we had the best time

Lots of July was spent at splash pads or my in laws pool

We also celebrated the hubby's birthday at the end of the month

August brought our annual family vacation with Rick's side. The kids had a blast fishing every day and we enjoyed being with one another 

Avery's birthday happened on the vacation so we made sure to celebrate her!

We threw the girls a joint birthday party in the middle of August 

We enjoyed summer coming to an end

and Brayden starting 1st Grade!

September brought the first day of preschool for Ella!!

We went to our towns annual September Fest and had a blast

And Ella started another year of dance class with her bestie!

Ella turned 4 on the 5th and we celebrated at home

We went apple picking

and Brayden started Fall soccer. His improvement this year from last was dramatic and we were so proud!

October came and brought us to the pumpkin patch

and to class parties :)

We celebrated Halloween with Little Red Riding Hood, Goldie and Kylo Ren :)

November brought gorgeous weather and my little cousin's wedding

We celebrated Thanksgiving

And chopped down our Christmas tree! 

We decked the halls

and saw our towns tree lighting

December brought more festive fun! We saw the zoo lights

We got dumped on with snow

We drove around and looked at lights

and of course the kids saw Santa!

We built a gingerbread house

and made cookies

Ella had her first school holiday performance and girlfriend rocked it!

We had our annual goodbye North Pole breakfast with our Elf, Twinkles

and celebrated Christmas

I love looking back at all these photos and seeing all the memories we made! I can't believe how much the kids have changed over the year. 

Here's wishing everyone a safe and happy New Year!

*linking up with Momfessionals