2nd Annual Girls Christmas Party

Today we had our 2nd annual girls christmas party at Shauna's house. Last year was the 1st one and since it was so successful we decided to do it again! This year we decided to have it at Shauna's house instead of at a restaurant. It was nice because it gave us a chance to hang out while cooking and take our time hanging out! I hope this is a tradition that we can continue for many years to come!

Me, Steph, and Elisabeth

Becca and Ashley

Shauna and Britney

Me and sweet Kennedi. At the party last year Shauna announced that she was pregnant! Crazy how quickly time flies...Kennedi is already 5 months now and so cute!

The whole gang showing off our ornaments! Cant wait till next year!

My Christmas festivities are officially over for this year. Sad day--I guess I should start taking my decorations down :(

Christmas!

Christmas was great this year! It was mine and Trevor's 2nd Christmas as a married couple, and we got to continue some of the traditions that we started for our family last year...kind of. We actually decided to change one of them. Instead of doing opening Christmas PJ's on Christmas Eve we changed it to opening a book instead. Since Trev is not really a fan of crazy PJ pants and since we both love to read, we thought this could be something fun that we can do, especially when we have kids. We also tried to make cinnamon rolls like last year...but for some reason, my dough didnt rise, so that was scrapped. (Bad yeast maybe?) It was a great Christmas, and we are truly thankful for the birth of Christ!

Vandy and his GINORMOUS bone! He chewed on it forever...and would probably chew on it continually if we would let him.

Showing off my stocking goodies :)

Trev and his presents...isnt the wrapping fantastic ;)

A Christmas pic in front of our tree (well one of them anyways)

After Trevor and I do our Christmas, mom and Delaney come over and do Christmas with us. Then we head to my mom's side of the family for Christmas breakfast. This year was at my cousin Kari's. Here is a pic of me and her oldest boy Hudson.

After we do Christmas with my side of the family we head to the Castles for Christmas lunch/dinner. It was delicious! The best part was that Trevor's parents TOTALLY surprised us with a Wii! Trev has been wanting one for a long time and I was going to get him one for his B-day but they beat me to it...and completely surprised both of us! Not only were his parents involved, but Courtney, Keenan, and my mom were in on it as well. Court got us Wii Sports Resort (which is AWESOME), Keenan got us a Wii motion controller, and mom got us Wii Fit! Needless to say, there will be lots of fun times to come. Here is a pic of Trev playing once we got home...

Me playing basketball--3 pt shot competition (believe it or not, as of right now I hold the record :) but I am sure Trev will change that soon!)

Our Mii's getting ready to face off playing ping pong!

Our game faces...kind of! :) Thanks Castle fam for such a great gift!

I can't believe that Christmas is over....it always seems to sneak up on me now that I am getting older. It was a great one!!!

Vandy Girls Christmas Party

Last Sunday, a bunch of girls that I work with at Vandy had a girls Christmas party. This is the second year that I have gotten to attend, and it was a blast once again! We each bring something to eat and a gift, and then we exchange gifts "dirty santa" style! It can really get crazy when there are several people that are after one gift! This year I got a bath and body gift set from Philosophy. It is really cute and the products smell good enough to eat! I can't wait until next year!

Two of my favorites! :) Jess, Missy, and I

The whole group!

Visit from the Sowards

Last weekend my older brother came down for the weekend with his family. It was really great to get to see them because we dont get to very often. His boys are 10 and 7, and we had a great time eating, playing games, and watching movies! Hopefully we can plan another get together sooner rather than later. Here are some pics from our visit...

Hubble (my brother) and his wife Joy :)

All the Sowards boys...Conner, Hubble, Dad, Delaney, and Brady

Dad and his kiddos

Conner loved playing with Vandy. They played tug of war for the longest time!

Happy Birthday Vandy!

Well, my sweet little puppy is not a baby anymore. :( Today he turned 1 and we had a little family party for him. He wasn't to crazy about his hat, but he LOVED his presents! I can't believe that we have had him for almost a year (we got him in December when he was 8 weeks old.) He is such a good dog :)

Me and my sweet puppy

His presents--a bone, rope, ball, and pull ring. So fun--although I am sure he will have them all torn up in no time!

Waiting for us to throw him the bone

Enjoying his toys :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY VANDY! We love you!! :) (Ok, I know he is just a dog...but for know he is like our child)

Scavenger Hunt

So this post is about a week and a half late but...better late than never i guess :) @ Friday's ago our cell group had a picture/video scavenger hunt with another cell. Now, I'll be honest, I am not usually into scavenger hunts, but I ended up having lots of fun and MY TEAM WON!!! Woo Hoo!

The whole group

The winning team!!!!

One of our challenges was to pump .50 cents worth of gas--oh how i love a .50 cent charge on the debit card!

We had to find someone with one of our names and have proof...this was the first person we asked!! Crazy!

Taking a picture with a family of four--they were great! Afterwards the little girl wanted to give me and Beth hugs! So cute!

Overall it was a fun night of fellowship! I am sure there will be more fun nights ahead! Next late blog to look forward to...OUR NEW (used) CAR!!!

Trev's first win

Ok, so I am not a big fan of posting on the blog without putting up pictures too...but today will have to be an exception.

Trev's v-ball team had their first win last night!  YAY!  It was so exciting....It went into all 5 matches and each one was very close.  LCS won the first, lost the second, won the third, lost the fourth, and finally won the final match!  It was so exciting!!!!!  Hopefully it was just the first of many wins for Coach Castle and his team! :)

Trev's first coaching match

Trevor has recently started teaching at his old high school. Along with that he gets to coach a couple of sports teams--he will be head coach for volleyball and assistant coach for boys basketball. Last week the girls volleyball team had their first match and Trevor had his debut as a coach...

Warming the girls up before the game

Getting a laugh in during a time out huddle

A more serious time of coaching in the huddle with the varsity girls

The varsity girls playing--they did a great job and I know they are going to continue to improve throughout the season!

Super fans!!! Dominique, Courtney, Makhaia, and me! GO LIONS!

The JV girls won their second game!!! YAY!

Me and Coach Castle after the game :) Isn't he cute!

This was just the beginning of MANY more games to come! I am sure the season is going to be lots of fun....and once its over....BASKETBALL! Hopefully I will be a good coaches wife and make it to most/all of the games (the fact that I get free concession stand food at home is enough to lure me there) :)

Sounds Game

We got to go to the Sounds game last night....which was lots of fun! Well actually the game was kind of dull, but the people watching, concession stand food, and fireworks were a blast!

July 4th Extravaganza

For July 4th we went with a few friends of ours to another friends house for swimming, cookout, and fireworks.  We were lucky because it rained (and I mean downpoured) before and after fireworks.  We had a great time!  It was so nice to just relax and fellowship with our friends....and eat some awesome burgers!!  YUM

Titus playing in the pool

After swimming

Trev teaching the little ones about basketball while we were waiting for the food to be ready

The grillmaster himself...Frank

This pic says it all....Beth is "one bad mother"  Haha--just kidding--Beth is one of the best mommies I know!  :)

Yay Fireworks!!!  

Sweet baby Jude--what a smile!

We had a great fourth and we are so thankful to celebrate living in a FREE country!