Seven years in the making

On Monday, March 4th, Chris & I celebrated seven years of marriage. It’s still hard for us to wrap our minds around that number. It just doesn’t seem possible. There hasn’t been much time to reflect on the celebration as we moved to our dear friends, Steve & Shannon’s home, on Monday while our stained cement is being repaired for the unforeseeable future. We are, however, looking forward to an official celebration in New York City at the end of this month.

One thing I can take away from this past year is that we make a pretty good team. We had some trying seasons over the past couple of months, but we’ve been able to encourage each other in the midst of them and persevere (we’ve even laughed too). We look forward to a new year – anticipating more time together, travel adventures and more opportunities to grow in our spiritual walks as a couple. We are eager to see what God has in store for our family and how He’ll allow us to be a part of what He’s doing. I am so thankful for the godly spouse God blessed me with seven years ago. It’s been an exciting, humbling, memorable ride!
**All of these images were captured by the artful eye of my precious friend, Shannon Ho (Ironically, the friend we are also staying with this week.) You can enjoy more of her beautiful work at shannonho.com

It’s been a good seven years, hasn’t it!? Love & respect you honey!

A retrospective–Christmas & NYE

Okay – this is it . . . really. This will be my last retrospective post. My hope, from this point forward, is that I’ll be “on my horse” to prevent this from happening again, but at least Alexa will have some memories this way. This final look back will include images from Christmas in California, Christmas in Oklahoma & our annual New Year’s Eve celebration with the Kilgores. 

CHRISTMAS IN CALIFORNIA

Alexa getting the best tickles (ever) from her Great Grandma Graf, or as we affectionately renamed her – Gigi. She truly is the best tickler!!

I love this pic of Gigi with Chris (Alexa’s pose is questionable). Grandma Graf is 92. I know . . . don’t we all pray we can look that amazing at her age!?

Okay – so maybe Opa & Alexa can pull off the tongue out pose.

Completing the Advent calendar with Ama.

We managed to pack all of these gifts for the flight (minus a few gift bags & boxes). I never knew marrying a CA boy would so greatly improve my packing skills.

Here’s the whole crew including four little ones under the age of three. Grandma Graf, Uncle Tom, Aunt Janet & Lyndal Hayes, Ryan, Camille, Josiah & Kaila Hayes, Charlie & Karen Kennedy, John, Kelly & Ruthie Chase and our crew.

Alexa with her cousins (all in coordinating tees thanks to Camille’s creativity) – Josiah & Kaila Hayes and Ruthie Chase.

Opening up a Mickey Mouse mug that was Chris’ when he was a boy. Alexa is a big fan of all things Mickey Mouse. She was delighted!!

Playing a very cool xylophone courtesy of Ama & Opa.

CHRISTMAS IN OKLAHOMA


In just a little over 24 hours, Alexa went from being the oldest cousin to being the youngest. No matter which time zone she’s in, Alexa loves being with her cousins.


The girl LOVES balloons and we could’ve stopped opening gifts right then & there. It was a classic moment as the real gift was a Melissa & Doug shopping cart with groceries. Alexa just couldn’t get over the balloons.



Alexa got this precious ornament from Aunt Hol & Uncle Mark. It is so neat. Every time you push the button, you can hear a child share the story of Christ’s birth.


Alexa would listen to her nativity ornament again and again and again.


The boys & their matching LED headlamps. We laughed & laughed at this pic.

It’s not Christmas if Mark doesn’t get an El Fenix giftcard.

Holly’s thrilled with her Cutco knife – I’d stay on her good side, if I were you!

There is always a scavenger hunt for the kids to find their final gifts. They were reading clues cleverly adapted to Christmas carols.

Alexa gives Ry-Ry a big kiss after painting her nails – one of the things she looks forward to when she visits her cousin. Rylen’s our resident nail expert.

NEW YEAR’S EVE
As I always say, I can’t remember celebrating a New Year’s Eve without the Kilgore family. We keep growing. We keep laughing. We keep looking forward to it every year!! (We missed you – Trey, Kim & baby Luke.)

Dr. B (Brandon) & Malachi. His wife, Kim, had their 2nd son, Luke, just a few days earlier (Dec. 28th). Needless to say, they didn’t make the party.

Precious baby Kaden. Born to Trey & Courtney in October.

Okay – maybe one more of that sweet lil’ boy.

There isn’t anything much better than Janice’s homemade sugar cookies.

Alexa’s going in!! Happy belated New Year ya’ll!

A retrospective . . . December

Please don’t get confused (or laugh too hard) by seeing a Christmas tree at the end of February. I’m still catching up. Here are a few of the highlights from December. I will have a dedicated Christmas & New Year’s Eve post. So – fair warning not to get confused. Again . . . please ignore these if you are “so over” Christmas & looking forward to spring.
**I promise . . . these “delayed” posts will be completed by Alexa’s 3rd birthday in March!

MICHAEL W. SMITH CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Even in February, you don’t think I would forget our time with Michael!? This was the first year for Rylen & Chris to join us. (My selfless Dad volunteered to watch Alexa so Chris & I could both go.) I look forward to this concert every year. As always, an unforgettable evening.





TBC WOMEN’S CHRISTMAS TEA
Every year our church’s women’s ministry puts on a Christmas tea, and I always enjoy hosting a table. It’s a perfect excuse to get more use out of the Christmas dishes given to us by Chris’ Aunt Kay & Uncle Jim. I especially love the chance to get to know the women at our church more intimately.




DECKING THE HALLS
Decorating is one of my favorite things to do during the holidays. Alexa put the crowing achievement, a Simpich angel, on our little Christmas tree. I have aspirations of making an angel someday but this charming little angel definitely does the trick.
 

--Alexa looked forward to counting down the days to Christmas. It was so fun to watch her write the numbers.

SPREADING CHEER
We always enjoy making something sweet for our neighbors. However, the joy really comes in delivering the goodies. This year, we made peppermint fudge. We are always praying for that open door to establish trust & share the Gospel.

THE SINGING CHRISTMAS TREE

Gotta end with Alexa working her “cheesy” face with the cousins at Edmond First Baptist’s Singing Christmas Tree. I go for the music. Alexa goes for the “dancing” lights.

Caramel cream cheese dip

So, I must admit I’ve probably made five recipes of this decadent dip since New Year’s. Thank goodness my New Year’s resolution wasn’t losing weight! I justify making the dip because I eat more fruits that way. That’s a good reason, right!? This dip is delicious with apples, strawberries, bananas or simply on a spoon.

CARAMEL CREAM CHEESE DIP
2-8 oz cream cheese blocks (softened)
1 c. sugar
1 t. vanilla
12.25 oz jar Smuckers caramel topping

Beat cream cheese w/ sugar and vanilla until smooth. Add caramel topping (I usually microwave it a bit to get all of the caramel out of the jar). Beat together and serve! Refrigerate until serving.
--My thanks to Sandra Hedrick for sharing this recipe with me. I love it!!