Looking Back - {2013 Edition}

2013....where did you go?  

I have been told that as we age the years will fly by at a more rapid speed.  Well, if they get any faster than my 32nd year on the planet was then I do not know what to do!  Here are some of my favorite shots from the year two thousand and thirteen.

My baby at 6 months.  Hard to believe how much he has changed! (Nicole Koontz Photography)

 We welcomed spring 2013 by spending an hour or so at the local park.  Then we came home to play and have a picnic on what we referred to as our deck.  Yeah...that has changed!

The goat from hell.  My husband wanted a goat and my dad got him a goat and the goat got his goat.  Yep, she took off a day later only to become the special Easter meal for a coyote.

2013 would be the year my little girl told me:  "Mom, I'll finish the season but I'm not a soccer girl.  I am a dance girl. Oh and sign me up for gymnastics since I'm not into soccer."

 It is amazing to see how fast these two have grown....she doesn't even look a thing like that any more and he's a busy body these days!

Standing in the hole that daddy dug to start his building renovation.  Fun stuff!

Before she forgot me...oh seriously she probably had forgot me by this point....from the look on her face she's not too impressed with her great granddaughter LOL

2013 my daughter gained a new favorite adult:  Ms. Sunni at Advance Dance.  Week after week it didn't matter if I liked anything anymore it was, "Ms. Sunni will love this!"....and to be honest I am not complaining because Ms. Sunni is an awesome teacher and mama for an hour each week to those little ladies.  This is C's fitting for her very first recital....excited we both were.

How many of you remember me sharing this blog was named for two things:  1.  My nickname in school was Brownie (last name derivative) and 2. For our favorite hen in the coop.  Ms. Brownie was the best chicken we had.  She was older and very docile and didn't mind us picking her up and loving her.  In December of this year Ms. Brownie passed away....I'm not sure if she was sick, just old, or (from the looks of it) the younger hens attacked her.  Anyway, Spring will not be quite as fun without Ms. Brownie hanging out with us.  

Bert, my shihtzu left our family in June 2013.  Dogs leave a void in your heart when they leave you (if you are a dog person).  One day we'll have another four legged fur baby.

My first girl's night out in over a year was a blast.  Thanks for the invitation, Nicole.

Best idea...we'll do it again!

My favorite picture of my baby boy.

Father's Day DNP 2013

My husband and his love for farm animals really bothers me.  He gets them, I care for them...Willa came in June and left in December.  I will never allow anyone in this family to have swine again.

Her first time doing her nails on her own.

My business man.  Random fact:  2013 was the year of the black eye for little man.  He had four.

 

Wow he was a chunky fella!  The rolls left quickly though. Must have dad's metabolism!

July 4, 2013:  Girl's Night to see Fireworks!

Harper started giving kisses at 10 months

Long hair, medium hair, short hair....I get bored I guess!

Three generations - first time at the beach with Pappaw D.

I only went to the beach one time with one set of grandparents and I was 14.  I feel like this is a special picture since I don't have any like this from my childhood.  August 2013 Kure Beach.

My kid brother turned 18.  What?  He's in the flat bill, then there's my mom, and then there's my brother from another mother (and father).  Matt practically was my second brother while he was growing up...hard to believe I was 18 when they began their friendship....the years have flown

He turned one!  WOW the second one does grow faster than the first....

The day I said I wouldn't cry....and I didn't.....until I was by myself.  Look at us now half way through the first year of school.  Now I find myself looking at teenagers and thinking how fast we'll get to that point as well.  

Brithday number 6!  I never thought someone would threaten suicide (though I'm not sure they fully understood what it meant) to get ice cream...but it happened!  

God gives us what we need to have true happiness...I got three gifts.

Oh how she would change!

Here's to 2013 a year that flew by at record speed that brought new experiences and wonderful memories.  Thank you God for a great year of good health and prosperity.

Here's to 2014 I pray that it will be a year of remarkable happiness, health and laughter.  I pray we never get blinded by what is not important and we never take a moment for granted!