{2016: Year In Review}

It's always fun to go back & read old blog posts, to see what was going on in my life a year ago, how things have changed, etc.  2016 was better than 2015...but 2017 - there is definitely still room for improvement so don't let me down!!

I did MUCH better with my blogging last year...62 posts in 2016 compared to 29 in 2015.  So let's take a stroll down 2016 memory lane... {be prepared - it's a LONG one!}

I kicked off January with the Wine Swirl downtown Brenham.  A large group of friends & I go every year & we have a blast!  You can read all about it here.

And the end of the month, we celebrated Corey's 40th & my dad's 70th birthdays with a party.  

After a few weeks of feeling blah, I kicked off my birthday month with a trip to the doctor & discovered that my vitamin D & thyroid levels were off...so prescription meds it was!  Nothing like making you feel really old right before your birthday!

We celebrated Nola's one year adoption anniversary!

Had a Super Bowl Party...

A "me" day {which I am already planning again this year}!

And ended the month celebrating my 37th birthday!

March brought rain, rain & more rain {& constantly dirty floors}.  Seriously, at one point I considered building an Ark!

Although I didn't go on a fabulous vacation the week of spring break, it was still fun!  The ladies in the neighborhood had a fun night at Royer's Cafe in Round Top & I went to the A&M/UT baseball game with my nephew.

I ended the month with a day of shopping out at Antique Weekend in Warrenton & celebrating Easter with the family.  

 

April was a pretty uneventful month.  Work was crazy busy as usual.  Our downtown hosted a ladies night...

We celebrated National Puppy Day!

And I opened an Instagram account for my blog & decorating!  You can follow me here.

At the end of the month, my oldest Godchild got confirmed.

In May, we celebrated Cinco de Mayo...

Maifest...

My 15 year full time Blue Bell anniversary {do I know the way to their hearts or what?!}...

And we made a trip over to Magnolia Markets. You can read all about it here.

We ended the month with some of the craziest weather EVER!  We got over 22" of rain in a 12 hour period.  Brenham experienced once in a lifetime flooding.  My parents did get some water in their house, but thankfully besides a minor roof leak, all was well at my house.  You can read about it & see more pictures here. 

In June I finally tackled a project I had been wanting to do for a while.  With the help of a few friends {ok, they mostly did it...I assisted} - I put up a shiplap wall in my bedroom & I absolutely LOVE it.  You can read all about the process here.

June also brought the Blue Bell picnic - which, surprise! surprise!  Rained out as well.

We spent Father's Day at Colby & Jodie's apartment in Katy.

And we spent lots of time at the ballpark cheering on Mason & the WC All Stars.

By July, I was counting down the days til Fall.  After torrential rains in May & the beginning of June - we went almost a month & a half without any.  I foolishly decided to stain my deck 4th of July weekend.  Can you say HOT?!

And a few weeks later, some friends & I went to the Magnolia Market warehouse sale & spent the day in Waco.

Thankfully August brought rain & somewhat cooler temps...which clearly put me in the Fall spirit because the pumpkins went up! =)

Morgan had a few sleepovers & one morning, we even tried our hand at homemade donuts!

September was the start of my most favorite time of the year!  College football returned & my cousin Amy & I got to go watch the Aggies play UCLA.

Blue Bell came out with a few flavor...

I found out I was going to be an aunt again {it's a boy!!}...

I went to our local homecoming parade with my favorite kiddos...

 

And we went on our annual football road trip - this time to the A&M/Auburn game in Alabama.  You can read all about our trip here {& hey!  we actually won this time!}

October brought our 3rd annual National Night Out in the neighborhood.

Crazy hot temps...

Lots of Friday night lights...

The Camp For All gala with my sister-in-law Amanda...

 Another Aggie game {& Khloe's first!}...

And finally, Halloween {with the cutest Rufferee helping pass out candy}...

November 1st rolled around & the Christmas decor started going up! =)  

I also had a garage sale...

Voted {Heaven help us...craziest election EVER!}...

Celebrated Nola's 2nd birthday...

Went to ladies' night at Allied Ace {always a fav!}...

Volunteered with the Faith Mission to serve/deliver meals on Thanksgiving Day...

Did LOTS of Black Friday {& Thursday} shopping...

 

And finally had turkey on Sunday night...

December is without a doubt my favorite month of the year.  I kicked it off by helping host a shower at my house for a coworker's daughter.  We invited 34 people & 31 came!  Talk about a full house!

Attended a cookie decorating class...

Helped plan & decorate for the Blue Bell Christmas party {& received my 15 year service award}...

Won the Fortnightly Club Christmas Elegance Award...

Celebrated Betty's retirement...

Went to candlelight Christmas Eve service {my absolute favorite of the year}...

Came home & had Christmas at my house...

Visited a new wine bar in Round Top...

And finally - rang in the New Year with family & friends with a party at my house!

Phew!  That makes me tired just reading it...and also makes me realize what an incredible year it was.  Life may not always go as planned {& believe me - mine definitely hasn't}, but one thing sure...

Happy New Year!