Twenty Thirteen in Review

To say this has been our "best year yet" would be a huge understatement. Although there will always be a few tough times sprinkled in every year, I have to say that 2013 was the year we had more happy moments than ever before. I feel incredibly and undeservingly blessed as I reflect on our highlights from the past 365 days...   We made our house our home...

We settled in to our new home and although we still have lots to projects left to accomplish, it is awesome to look back at the progress we've made! You can find all home updates {here}. We celebrated birthdays...

Charlie celebrated 7 {post} // Matt celebrated 33 {post} // I celebrated 27 {post}   We vacationed, took trips with friends and spent time with family...

May & Justin's Charlotte visit {post} // Linville Cabin Weekend {post} // Florida Beachfest {post} & Folly Beach Vacation {post} // 2nd Annual Green River Tubing Trip {post} // Panthertown Valley Camping Trip {post} // MEXICO {post} // Two Year Anniversary Cabin Weekend {post} // We Hosted Thanksgiving {post}   We partied...

Kristen's Bachelorette Party in Kiawah {post}, Bridal Shower {post} & Wedding {post} // A Backyard Dinner Party {post} // Our Summer Soiree {post} // Fiesta Engagement Party for Mel & Travis {post} // Jill & Robbie's Wedding in Massachusetts {post} // Christmas Cookie Exchange Party {post} Matt highlights

Matt's team took 3rd place in a BBQ competition {post} // Matt took a leap of faith with his business and merged with a larger firm in town // Matt traded in the Buick for a GMC Sierra   And the biggest blessing of 2013...    we got pregnant!

Our Pregnancy Announcement {post} // Gender & Name Reveal {post}

And since Instagram pretty much nailed our 2013 highlights, I thought I'd share our top 5 insta photo video too! Happy New Year's Eve! I wish you a happy and blessed 2014!

2013 Christmas

What a Christmas we had this year! In one week we were able to spend several days in Orlando and Winston-Salem to see both sides of the family which made it extra special.

Before leaving town Matt and I decided to celebrate our own little Christmas at home.

Lots of presents from Caroline this year. 

Our big gifts to each other this year was a banjo for Matt and an iPad for me! 

The next day we drove down to Florida to spend Christmas with my family this year.

Lucky me, I got to squeeze in time on Christmas Eve with two of my besties!

 Christmas Day!

Christmas morning mom cooked up a delicious casserole for breakfast along with bacon and biscuits.

After breakfast it was time to open stockings and presents!

My goodness we got so many goodies this year. I thought we were going to need a u-haul to get all of Caroline's gifts home! Some of my favorite gifts this year from my parents were Nike Dual Fusion Running Shoes, Kitchenaid Knives, a set of sheets, pajamas from GAP, a dust buster, LL Bean  Hearthside slippers, loads of gift cards and more! Matt's favorites included several new ties, a Sega Genesis game system, pajamas from GAP and more...

 {my seester and I got new matching slippers}

And in typical Christmas Day fashion we relaxed, drank festive cocktails {mocktails for me} and ate lots of yummy food!

The day after Christmas we packed up and drove home. The next day we got back in the car for a few days with Matt's family in Winston-Salem where we got even more spoiled! Our favorite gifts? For Matt it was a Kindle Fire and clothes and for me it was my favorite Chanel perfume and a Clarisonic!

What a great way to end such a special year for us. We had a wonderful week and are so blessed by our families love!

Week 21 bumpdate

How far along: 21 weeks! 
Baby Size: A banana (6.5 inches long) mad weighs 10.5 ounces!
Weight gain:13 pounds. 
Maternity clothes: Matt surprised me with 3 new maternity tops (he picked out) for Christmas! I love them and am impressed with his selection!

Stretch marks: Not yet...
Sleep:  Great! We are traveling to both families this week and the Bump Nest is in tow!   Gender: Girl, girl, girl!!   Movement: I am starting to recognize the flutters in the evening, but they are light and I really have to be still to notice them. 
Best moment this week: Coming home to Florida for Christmas and having the family all together!!   Looking forward to: CHRISTMAS! 
Food cravings: Donuts (with sprinkles) and Christmas cookies.    Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope   Labor Signs: No   What I miss: Vodka, champagne and over-easy eggs. Sorry to sound like a lush but it's Christmas Eve!    Symptoms: Growing belly!!
Nursery: Have made a fun purchase...details to come!   Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On

Mood: So happy and thankful!!
Workouts: 3 elliptical workouts and 1 dance class
Prayer for Caroline:   Dear Lord, I pray for Caroline's bones that are developing this week so they can produce life-giving blood cells. I ask you for 100% healthy bone marrow and for the correct amount of red and white blood cells and platelets. I pray Caroline is happy, healthy, loving, joyful, wise and beautiful on the inside and out. Help Matt and I to be good parents. Give us many happy times together. In Your name, amen.   "I will sing to the Lord all my life, I will sing praise to my God while I live. May my meditation be pleasing to Him; I will rejoice in the Lord."  - Psalm 104:33-34 

Five on Friday {Christmas Edition Part II}

  Merry {almost} Christmas!!! To celebrate the 5 day countdown, I have decided on a part two Christmas edition for my five today!   - ONE -  This week I baked some cinnamon bread in mini bread dishes {$1 at Michaels} for a few Christmas gifts. I love how they turned out. Depending on how much time I have to prepare the loaves, I'll either use the {Easy Cinnamon Bread recipe} or {Cinnamon Crumb Cake Mix}.  - TWO - The easiest Christmas tree appetizer ever. Just slice a block of cream cheese diagonally, stick together and drizzle jam or pepper jelly on top. Garnish with a green pepper star and green onion stump and serve with crackers!

- THREE - I received the most adorable gift from my friend Laura this week! Shearling Darling has been my favorite Essie color this season for our regular mani/pedi dates so I was so happy to finally own a bottle of this gorgeous color. And the mug! Oh my. I am such a sucker for an awesome coffee mug!

- FOUR - Christmas in a pot! Give your home a quick festive lift with some help from the fruit on the counter, spices from the pantry and clippings from your tree.

You can find the recipe {here}.

  - FIVE - Prezzies, prezzies and more prezzies!!

Check out my seester's pretty wrapped gifts to the family! Did she knock it out of the park with her wrapping this year or what?

Dear best tenant ever, if we bring you bourbon for Christmas will you renew your lease? Thanks. Love, your awesome landlords, Matt & Christina. 

I started wrapping Christmas presents this week and am loving the $1 Target wrapping paper I picked up and of course Laura's Bow Tutorial {found here}!  

I wish you all the merriest Christmas!   Wanna join  Darci, April, Natasha and I on the Friday fun? You can link-up on any of our four blogs every Friday! All you have to do is... 1.)  Write  your post about five things you're lovin' this week (or any five things you want to share!). 2.)  Share the logo on your blog and link back. 3.)  Link-up at the bottom of the post so some new readers can check out your five things and say hello!