2013 Review Extravaganza - Q4

I'm linking up with a ton of wonderful gals who want to know what we have been up to this year. If you want to play along, visit any one of them, Shell @ Things I Can't Say, Emmy @ Emmy Mom, Lourie @ CA Girl, Natalie @ From Corporate to Domestic, Nicole @ Life's a Beach, Kenzie @ Life & Lemons, Amy @ Involuntary Smiles and Janette @ Johanson Journey for the details!

Time to close out this year's review with October, November, and December, plus a few goals for 2014.

The government tried to stop our party, but we weren't having it, and celebrated sweet Elise turning 1 with a huge party!

We started a family tradition by visiting a local pumpkin patch and decorating pumpkins.

I whipped up a $6 no sew Halloween costume that is going to be pretty hard to beat.

I turned to you fellow Moms for eating out advice.

Some special boys got a big box of balloons and they were a hit!

The holidays called for a few new yummy treats - Mocha Chewies and High Rollers were definite winners.

And Elise's 2nd Christmas (our first time as parents setting up big presents on Christmas Eve!) called for an epic Rev and Stacie DIY - can't wait to share it with you next week!

And now, the gals want to know 5 goals for 2014, so here goes:

• Clean out and organize the basement (Why yes, this was on last year's list as well...).
• Find a new photo project to chronicle 2014 (I completed a 365project for 2013. Any ideas?)
• Date my husband -  marriage is work and living away from family with a little one has meant little "us" time so we need to figure out a way to set aside time for that.
• Sew at least 6 outfits for Elise, maybe even one with a zipper....
• Celebrate turning the big 4-0 with a special project (stay tuned, I'll be asking for your help!)

2013 Review Extravaganza - Q3

I'm linking up with a ton of wonderful gals who want to know what we have been up to this year. If you want to play along, visit any one of them, Shell @ Things I Can't Say, Emmy @ Emmy Mom, Lourie @ CA Girl, Natalie @ From Corporate to Domestic, Nicole @ Life's a Beach, Kenzie @ Life & Lemons, Amy @ Involuntary Smiles and Janette @ Johanson Journey for the details!

Today, I'm recapping July, August, and September.

Lots of rain made the Rev's flowers particularly beautiful this summer.

A big batch of strawberries meant lots of delicious berry treats at our house.

Our turd of a house got a makeover!

Elise turned 9, then 10, then 11 months old.

Back to school meant a crafty new wreath for the school office.

And the Rev started giving Elise tips on dating....

2013 Review Extravaganza - Q2

I'm linking up with a ton of wonderful gals who want to know what we have been up to this year. If you want to play along, visit any one of them, Shell @ Things I Can't Say, Emmy @ Emmy Mom, Lourie @ CA Girl, Natalie @ From Corporate to Domestic, Nicole @ Life's a Beach, Kenzie @ Life & Lemons, Amy @ Involuntary Smiles and Janette @ Johanson Journey for the details!

Today, I'm recapping April, May, and June.

I continued experimenting with recipes some in my Pampered Chef Deep Covered Baker,including Cheesy Chicken Monterey and Spicy Chicken Mac and some inspired by Pinterest.

I celebrated my first Mother's Day by finally chronicling the day that I coughed out a baby.

The Rev became a Master, but could not convince me to call him by his title...

I showed you a great Stress Relief Gift.

And in a blink, Elise turned 6, 7, then 8 months old.

2013 Review Extravaganza - Q1

I'm linking up with a ton of wonderful gals who want to know what we have been up to this year. If you want to play along, visit any one of them, Shell @ Things I Can't Say, Emmy @ Emmy Mom, Lourie @ CA Girl, Natalie @ From Corporate to Domestic, Nicole @ Life's a Beach, Kenzie @ Life & Lemons, Amy @ Involuntary Smiles and Janette @ Johanson Journey for the details!

This week, we're recapping January, February, and March.

The first quarter was full of good stuff, including food! Whiteout Cocoa, Taco Soup and Rolo Ritz Crackers were some of my faves.

I celebrated my 4th Blogiversary.

I learned how to make homemade baby food (happy to say that all of E's baby food was homemade, no jars!)

I got a fabulous new blog makeover.

Elise turned 3, then 4, then 5 months old!

We celebrated Elise's baby dedication service with our family.

And Elise won her first award, when she entered a car into the Pinewood Derby Race.