Goodbye, 2016!

I can honestly say that I am not sad to see 2016 come to an end. It has been a roller coaster ride, for sure. Brian's FB post below says it best...we are looking forward to all that 2017 holds & praying it is an easier year than the last one has been! 

In 2016 we've had some of the greatest triumphs, hardest trials, deepest sorrows and immense joys! Though we've fretted a time or two we can look back on every mountaintop, sharp turn, and scary storm and know that the Lord has been behind us, establishing our steps. If there's one thing I've learned from this year it's that God is faithful even when we are faithless. So there you have it... 

High hopes for 2017 everyone!!!!

Goodbye, 2016...it's been real...real-ly crazy! Looking forward to a hopefully less chaotic 2017!

We spent a pretty quiet New Years Eve at home! 

Faithful Friends Who Are Dear to Us

The Easterwood's came and spent a few nights with us the week after Christmas. It was so much fun! One day, we just stayed at the house in our comfy clothes, playing games and doing puzzles. Brian Easterwood is now the reigning Risk champion! On Friday before they left, we went to Mama Roja's for lunch. SO. GOOD. The kids begged to go out to the lighthouse, so I went with them and 3 months later, I am STILL freezing! Haha! 

The gift of friendship is a beautiful thing! 

God made us friends because no mother could handle us as sisters! 

Jonah! 

Not ready to say goodbye...

Parting is such sweet sorrow...

It was the funniest thing, a few days later when the Easterwood's were headed back to Tulsa from Marlow, we were leaving G-Ma's house at the same time they were passing through OKC. Connie texted and said they were at Love's so we stopped and saw them for a few minutes. It was a fun little surprise! Oh, and the girls put on a little show for everyone getting gas. LOL!

 

Christmas Day at the Lake

We had a great time at Grandma & Grandpa Baldwin's house on Christmas Day! I always just wish we had more time with everyone there. The kids always have a blast playing together and then opening presents. You can imagine with this many kids, that opening presents is kind of controlled chaos! Grandma & Grandpa Baldwin always spoil the kids like crazy! (And I got new Pioneer Woman pots and pans & glasses, so I feel spoiled too!) Everyone loved meeting Charlie this year too...especially Bridgett! They had fun playing together. By the time we made it home late that night, we were all Christmas'd out! 

One thing I love about Brian...he makes everything just a little more fun! 

Charlie found a comfy place to sleep! 

There was a little meltdown when one of the things in Jonah and Olivia's stockings got mixed up and Olivia thought we were stealing her stuff! We got it all worked out though! =0)