Goodbye 2013...HELLO 2014!

2013 was a blast!

This year has been full of great things for our little family.

In January...
We enjoyed new dinner recipes seen here
and continued with our fabulous Thirsty Thursday's as seen here.

In February...
We celebrated Elizabeth turning one!

In March...
  I started a short series on coupons
and we continued with Thirsty Thursday

In April...
I challenged readers to stay OFF the scale!
And enjoyed my first race of the year!

In May...
We celebrated Mother's Day and Our Wedding Anniversary!

In June...
Elizabeth and I went on our first road trip.

In July...
We fully embraced summer and worked enjoyed completing our summer bucket list.
We had fun here and here and just being silly here!

In August...
I saw Justin and Jay Z
Enjoyed a staycation with Ben
And of course watched the Gamecocks!

In September...
I completed my first HALF MARATHON!!!

In October...
We enjoyed picking our pumpkins at Butler's Orchard
And dressing up for Halloween

In November...
 We relaxed and rested and I shared what I was Thankful for.

In December...
We had our (almost) annual Christmas party
And have enjoyed Christmas and each other.

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Coming into this year, I had made four resolutions:

1) Travel to at least one new city in 2013

2) Enjoy life and be happy

3) Maintain a healthy weight

4) Curse less

I definitely accomplished #1, #2, and #3.  I am almost sure I will always be working on #4

So...as I say goodbye to 2013 and HELLO to 2014,

 I wanted to write down some resolutions for the New Year.

 

2014 New Years Resolutions:

#1: Complete another race 

#2: Enjoy life and be happy in the moment

#3: Teach my daughter how to live a healthy, happy life by setting a good example

#4: Read more

#5: Curse less

Christmas: Part 2

Ben's parents came to visit us on December 26th and stayed two days.  It was so nice for us to have a little bit of company, and Elizabeth LOVED hanging out with her Nana and Pap Pap. 

We had a Christmas: Part 2 when they arrived because Elizabeth opened a ton of presents from not only her Nana and Pap Pap, but Aunt Brigette and Uncle Adam, and her Great Aunt Barb, Great Aunt Pam and Great Uncle Tom, and Great Aunt Stacy and Great Uncle Bob.  She got so many wonderful presents- thank you to everyone who sent her something for Christmas!

 Elizabeth got the cutest rain boots, rain coat, and umbrella!

BLOCKS!!!

 Showing Nana and Pap Pap their Christmas present.

An Elizabeth calendar!

 Elizabeth LOVES her new Minnie Mouse!

 Snuggling with her new Cookie Monster and Elmo pillows and Seasame Street blanket.

And a new dress!

Merry Christmas!!!

 

Foot surgery update

On Friday (December 27th), Ben drove me to my follow-up with my surgeon for my first post-op visit.  I got to have the soft cast removed and just a light bandage was applied to take me through January 3rd (my second post-op appointment).

Dr. Miller liked how everything looked.  No infections anywhere and the wound is healing nicely.  He said it is highly unlikely that the bone spur would ever grow back.  Yippee! 

Dr. Miller is out-of-town for the New Year so I will be seeing his partner on January 3rd to get my stitched removed and that will be my final doctor's appointment.  Depending on pain, I should be able to begin running again around January 20th!

*Picture warning, if you are squeamish, you don't want to see these*

 Waiting for Dr. Miller to come in and remove the soft cast

 Cutting away the soft cast

 My foot (on Friday)

I think there are about 5 stitches, not totally sure

The discoloration on my toes is just from the swelling.  It doesn't hurt.

 

How my foot looks now wrapped in the bandage.

I have to keep this completely dry until January 3rd when I get the bandage removed.

(I did get a pedicure the day before surgery)

Christmas

We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas here.  With my recovery continuing from my foot surgery, we could not travel anywhere.  Ben made delicious dinners yesterday and today along with a wonderful breakfast this morning.  Ben's parents will be here tomorrow for a visit.

 Christmas Eve, Ben moved our presents upstairs from the downstairs family tree

 All of the Christmas Cards we have received

What Santa brought Elizabeth

 Elizabeth playing with her favorite present

 Playing with more toys from Santa

Playing with her car, her new Elmo, and wearing new mittens and a hat

 Time to open presents from Mom, Dad, Grandmother, and Uncle Andy

 Clothes from Mom and Dad

 A present from Grandmother (GaGa)

A doll!

 What's in the box?

 Mr. Potato Head!

 What did Ben get?

 An "outdoor" knife

For his camping trips

 What did Uncle Andy send?

 A Princess Tent!

 What did Abby get?

A new hairdryer!!!

 What did GaGa send?

 A new hat and mittens!

 What did Ben get?

 Operation!

 Thanks, Mom, for the LOFT giftcard!

 Thank you Ben for the Clinique!

Thank you Ben for the sewing machine!

 This is what she did for about 7 hours today

 Merry Christmas!

 Having fun with Dad!

 Merry Christmas!

We had a wonderful Christmas and hope you did too!

Merry Christmas!