Happy New Year!

2014 is here and filled with possibilities! I always feel excited for what may lie ahead in a coming year.
This is the first year that Jack was really into the holidays. He was very excited for New Year's. I am not sure he really understands what it is, but he sure loves a good celebration.
To bring in the "new year" with the kids, we had a movie night. We brought out our comforter, pillows and blankets and laid down on the floor to watch a silly Netflix movie. The kids loved it!

We have had these New Year's hats for a long time. Jack knew they were in the garage so he asked if we could get them out. So we all donned our New Year's hats. They went to bed around 7:30 and then it was time for just me and Matt.

Our first attempt at a family picture. Henry ran the other way.

My little gentlemen

After the kiddos went to bed, Matt and I enjoyed the quiet. We played our favorite game, and chatted about what we have accomplished in 2013 and what things lie ahead in 2014.
Our friend, Dan, came over and we played more Dominion, rang in the new year and then it was time for bed.
Its funny thinking how much pressure we used to feel on New Year's eve, but I say that our evening was pretty perfect.

Reflecting

Its the end of 2013. I cannot even believe it! What a year it has been, a blessed year. This year has been amazing for me. It has been a journey of self reflection, discovery and improvement. There have been challenges, joys and triumphs.
As I went into 2013, I was ready to really focus on me. It sounds selfish, but I found that when I am taken care of in my mind, body and soul, I am a better wife, mama, friend, and teacher. The previous year I went vegan but had a relapse with cheese over the Christmas break. I felt so gross. So in 2013 I decided to recommit myself to a plant based diet. I am proud to say that I have stuck with it. I feel amazing!
I also decided that there were no excuses for not working out regularly. I am one of those people who works out consistently and then life hits a bump, a change in schedule or illness, and then I stop. I was always annoyed with myself for letting myself do this. So I recommitted. In July, for my birthday, I got the Insanity workout. I completed the 63 days! I proved to myself that I can do a lot more physically than I thought. I found that I am so much stronger than I thought. I have the ability to persevere through something really challenging. Today I am fitter than I have ever been. I wear a size that I haven't worn since high school, and weigh a lot less than I did a year ago. I have more energy, confidence and strength to focus on my days.
As I look back on 2013, I can say that I am a better Kelly than I was January 1,2013. I am proud of who I am and who God is forming me into.

Changes

Last spring I made a very difficult change. I said goodbye to my precious Oakwood Elementary. It was so hard to leave. I grew up in that place. I came there as a little 22 year old first year teacher. When I look back, I see how little I knew about teaching and myself. I left a 29 year old wife, mother of two, and National Board Certified teacher.
In my time at Oakwood, I met my husband, had two babies and made a lot of friends. I was feeling the call on my life to go back to the classroom full time. At that time there wasn't anything for me at Oakwood, so I had to apply to other schools. I went on one interview at Clarkmoor Elementary on JBLM.
Its funny looking back how God works in my life. I often tell him no, but he has other plans for me. During my interview they said there was an opening for first and fourth. I was adamant that I would only teach first and definitely fourth. Fast forward to now, and I am teaching fourth! I love it!
This was a huge change for me, but it has grown me in so many ways.

28 Years

At the end of April, my Dad retired from Lakewood/ West Pierce fire department! I am so proud of him. 28 years is a long time to work in one place!
To celebrate his legacy, there is a tradition that West Pierce does. They pick up the retiree and drive him around in his fire engine for the day, then one final tone out and they take him home. Its bittersweet and I am so lucky I got to spend the day with my dad as he rode around bidding his farewells. Here are some highlights!
West Pierce recently received money to purchase a fire boat. This thing is amazing! Its called the Endeavor. My dad was trained on this boat so as part of his day, we were all picked up by the boat on my parents' beach. It was a beautiful day for it!

The Endeavor showing its water power in honor of dad!

Dad with the boat

Boarding the Endeavor

 It was so cool to see what this boat could do. It can stop faster than anything. I loved watching my dad operate the boat. He is super passionate about it and his career.

Shot from under the bridges

Dad and his "crew"

 When we got to the boat house, Dad's engine was waiting for him.

 I had so much fun. We rode around and then went to a barbecue where Matt and the boys met us. During that time, my dad and the other retirees were honored for their service. They have dedicate a large chunk of their lives to the service of others; so inspiring! The final tone out was emotional for all, but the end of a great career!

Levi and the fire engines!

 The guys my dad worked with for many years, that he mentored and grew with, drove us home to my parents' house. First there was a great trip around Lakewood where many stories were shared.

My dad signing out

Dad's Crew

What an amazing day, and an amazing career! I am so proud of my dad and his accomplishments!

Taylor's Baby Shower!

In April, my aunt Kathleen and I threw Taylor a baby shower for baby Levi! We ordered a very cute invitation from etsy that featured blue mason jars, which became our "theme".
Here are some highlights.

The living room of Kathleen's house before the guests arrived. Her decor matched perfectly!

I made this banner using burlap from Hobby Lobby and my Cricut to stencil the letters. I then sewed(!) it and strung twine like rope through it!

We had our guests fill our wishes for baby. I got these from Inklings Paperie. They were so cute and came with a little tin for Taylor to store them in. I got the adorable subway art from  the blog eighteen25.

We served lemonade in these cute bottles

I made this banner with my Cricut. It says, "Hello baby"

Kathleen's friend is starting a cupcake business and kindly made these delicious cupcakes for the occasion. The colors matched perfectly!
To keep the guests interested in the opening of gifts, I ordered baby bingo from Inklings Paperie. Everyone filled in their guesses for gifts Taylor might receive. They then checked them off as she opened gifts. When they got a Bingo they got a scratch ticket! We had three gifts and three winners. People got very excited!

All the gifts for the mama to be!

It was such a great day! We all had fun celebrating Taylor and baby Levi. I am so excited to be an auntie! I can hardly wait!

Taylor's having a baby!

In October, we found out that my sister Taylor, was expecting a baby! It was shocking and exciting news! I am so excited to be an auntie. I worried there for a bit that my boys wouldn't have any cousins close in age, but we are so excited that baby is only going to be 18 months younger than Henry.

In January, Taylor had a gender reveal party. We were super excited to see what the little nugget would be! She had cupcakes in pink and blue, Hershey's bars, yummy soup and lots of excitement.

I picked out a jammie set in each gender, so Taylor would have a gift to open! I hid them in the car :)

Each person wore their guess of what they thought the baby would be. Here was the beginning tally! My vote was boy!

To make the big reveal, everyone popped the balloons at the same time. The confetti was our answer!juuu

IT'S A BOY!!!!!!

My sweet little nephew, Levi Thomas

Catch up!

Summer is here and now it is time to get back to blogging! So much has happened so I plan on updating some of the fun and exciting things that have happened in our family life. Stay tuned!