Happy New Year!

Another year gone, and a new one just begins! The New Year is our chance to look back at the past year and see how far we've come.  Some of us may have had really great year,  while other's may have had a hard year.  But that's why the New Year is so exciting.  It's our chance at a new beginning.  I am a firm believer of living life to it's fullest.  I felt that in 2013 I did that. 

Our motto for the year 2013 was this: 

{our first hot air ballon festival in 2013)

Here are my highlights of 2013:

The year started out slowly.  I was becoming increasingly frustrated with my son Charlie.  He was over two years old and was not developing the way he should.  I had people telling me it was fine, but in my gut I knew that Charlie needed some outside help.  I had tried everything in my power to help him, but it was time to get some professional help.  

Charlie was severely low on his communication skills and also has lots of sensory issues.  We finally found the help we needed and Charlie started speech therapy, occupational therapy, and also did weekly play group visits with other children his age.  

To sum things up, over the last year Charlie has grown leaps and bounds and now talks and communicates at a much higher level!  We could not be happier and more proud with Charlie's progress this year!

{Charlie and his best friend Tuscany}

Life can change unexpectedly.  In good and bad ways.  That's why this past year I have really tried to ENJOY LIFE! Early this year, my husband and I decided we were going to enjoy this year fully.  We were going to take every opportunity we have to do something new and exciting.  Take our kids on adventures.  Try new things.  Go new places.  We wanted to create memories that our kids will never forget.  We want them to be as excited about life as we are.  We want them to embrace life and take every opportunity they have to enjoy it.  

So needless to say, we went on lots of adventures this year.  Here are just a few of my favorites:

{Taking a Hike up at the Weight Ranch}

{Camping out at the Weight Ranch}

{Hiking at Bryce Canyon}

{Hiking at Bryce Canyon}

{Our first Hot Air Balloon Festival}

{Running my first race!!! You can read all about that here.}

{Visiting the "Windy City" with my parent's for the first time}

{Having fun at the lake}

{Going to the Matchbox 20 and Goo Goo Dolls Concert in Las Vegas}

We had lots of "first's" this year.  Here are just a few of my favorites!

{Hannah's first day of kindergarten}

{Hannah lost her first tooth}

{Avery turns one!}

Here are just a couple more of my favorite pictures of the year! 

{Rodeo time}

{Father and son}

{Easter 2013}

{The making's of my very first quilt!}

 Those pinwheel blocks are what started my quilting addiction.  One thing that happened in 2013 is that I got my crafty mojo back.  I love creating, but the past few years crafting and such was not on my priority list.  2013 changed that and I have finally found something that I LOVE doing.  I have had more fun starting this blog back up and sharing my love of "creating" with you.  

2013 was our best year to date!

Here is to the New Year, new opportunities, new adventures, and a new beginning!

Happy New Year! :)