Pearson and Alison: Nuptials and Much More: 2016

Since I missed posting for an ENTIRE year (again, I can't believe it), below is a snapshot of what went down in 2016. Before the "snapshot," if I had to sum up 2016 in a few sentences or thoughts, I would say it was definitely a turning point and "an end of an era" for our Family. You might be wondering what I mean by that since that phrase holds rather strong meaning. I feel that I can no longer say "I have little kids at home" because I don't. My kids are now school aged kids. Whitaker completed his last year of preschool in 2016 and the kids entered kindergarten and 1st grade respectively. Gone are the days of diapering and naps and terrible 2's and horrible 3's and strollers and five point harness car seats. Gone are the days of half day preschool or no preschool and taking off school because "it is only preschool." Gone are the days of sippy cups, snack cups, and cutting things up into a million pieces. Gone are the days of cribs and getting up most nights to tend to a baby and overtired days. I am going to miss those days and despite sometimes complaining about being tired, frustrated, exhausted etc.. I loved them fiercely and would do it all over again given the chance. With that said, I also am very happy where the kids are at right now. This next era in our family poses new challenges, I am certain, but also new joys. They are both a delight to be around (for the most part) and I have enjoyed their independence and beginning signs of maturity. They also are still young enough that they aren't embarrassed by their good old mom and dad and still need us for most things.

Now to live a little bit of the past year…2016 gave us the good fortune to see so many friends and family from far and wide. We truly feel so blessed to have such loving and caring friends and family.

The year started off with me throwing Heather, my older sister, a 40th birthday at our house. It took quite a bit of effort but she is worth it.

Then it seemed like snow and then more snow. We even had a blizzard in there, canceling school for a week!! We made the most of it but by the end of the week we were all stir crazy.

In March, my younger sister gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Lucy Helen. We were thrilled to welcome another member to the family.

Also in March, we headed to Oak Island for Spring Break, where I dropped the kids off for the weekend with my parents….

….so Pearson and I could go to Charleston and stay with friends for a weekend.

I then rejoined my babies in Oak Island and Pearson went home to Arlington to enjoy a quiet house.

We were also joined by our cousins for Cousin Spring Break 2016.

We drove home from the beach on Good Friday (I vow to never do it again) to celebrate Easter with the whole family.

Easter Egg Hunt

When you try to get a nice photo of your parents with their grandkids and your son decides to be a clown.

In May, Whitaker went to his last day of preschool. I cried knowing that this was the end of my "babies" being preschoolers.

Walking into Trinity for the last time.

Singing "Ain't No Mountain High Enough." I think that is when the water works for me started.

So proud of how far he came in a year.

After celebrating Whitaker all morning, Mae had an Egg Drop event that afternoon at school. She had to create a vessel to hold a raw egg that when dropped from the roof of the school the egg wouldn't break. Hers remain intact and she was thrilled!

Success!

And because it was late May/Early June we went berry picking, which we do year after year.

Spring sports included baseball for Whitaker...

…and soccer for Mae.

Whitaker celebrated his 5th birthday.

In June, we went "glamping" with our good friends The Smiths.

Mae participated in her first ever triathlon. Also and maybe even more impressive Mae raised money to help families whose kids are fighting childhood cancer. She raised almost $900!

In June, Mae had her last day of kindergarten.

After the bell rang we had everyone in the neighborhood over for a massive water gun fight and ice cream.

Then it was officially SUMMER!!

Mae swam on the swim team at the pool we joined.

In July, we took a trip to visit Pearson's aunt and cousins in Massachusetts. They had yet to meet Whitaker so we figured it was a high time they had a proper meeting. When visiting her we also took trips to visit where Pearson's dad grew up in Peterborough, NH and the graves of where Pearson's dad and brother are buried. We also went sailing in Portsmouth, NH and spent a day in Boston.

In the second part of July we took a trip to Chicago to visit where Pearson grew up. This hands down had to be one of the best trips we took with the kids. We toured the city including going to a Cubs game and spent a day on Lake Michigan with friends. We then headed up North where Pearson's mom joined us and we stayed with Pearson's parents best friends.

Standing under the tree that Pearson's mom planted for Pearson's dad after he died. She is quite a beauty.

Walking along Lake Michigan.

Visiting with the Piersons [Don and Kathy].

Then as in past summers we spent all of August in Oak Island being total beach bums. It never disappoints.

In September, Mae celebrated her 7th birthday! She requested a rock climbing party. There is so many great things to say about her but I am going to leave it at as she is so awesome.

Then on September 6th (my birthday), the kids started kindergarten and 1st grade. No tears for anyone, all smiles!

Sadly this is when my real camera died and I relied on my phone for my pictures for the remainder of the year. Good thing I upgraded my phone and it has a better camera.

Both kids played soccer in the Fall and loved it.

At the end of October, we went to Johnstown, PA where my dad grew up. My aunt and uncle were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary and threw a wonderful party.

Hanging behind the steel mills.

My mom and dad with all the kids standing in front of my grandparents bar where my dad grew up. My grandmother sold it after my grandparents died and had a new name and now is boarded up.

Visiting my grandparents grave.

Halloween was in full effect as well. There were class parties and a school parade. Mae asked to be a witch because she found purple lipstick on the streets of DC with Pearson's mom and wanted to use it. We resurrected a costume from a few years ago and it worked out great. Whitaker was a pirate. I made him pick out his costume from Costco in July. He was thrilled by it.

November 1st we celebrated Pearson's birthday and he wished for a World Series win for the Cubs.

AND then the Cubs WON the WORLD SERIES!!!

We (meaning me) remolded our kitchen. And when I say me. I mean me. No contractors, painters, or plumbers. I painted all the cabinets, added hardware, removed cabinets and hung the shelving, replaced the counters, put in a new sink, etc… It was exhausting but it is far more enjoyable to be in the space now.

In the Fall, we took family photos. It was originally a gift for my mom for Mother's Day but we had so much rain in the Spring that they never ended up happening so we pushed them to Fall. Here are a couple from the shoot, including the one of the four of us that we used for our Christmas card.

Then in November we went to Nashville to celebrate my cousin's wedding. We have the good fortune of having friends live there so we got to stay with them and catchup.

Shortly, thereafter we headed to Oak Island to spend Thanksgiving with my parents and Pearson's mom. We decided to not cook this year and went to Duffer's for Thanksgiving lunch/dinner. As much as I missed the ritual of spending all day in the kitchen, I didn't. It was great to relax and play on the beach with the kids. The weather was unbelievable too!