2014 Recap: A Whole Lotta FUN!

Wow. You tend to forget how absolutely amazing a year was until you look back and see just what all happened. We had a lot of great moments, plus several really tough moments. We lost two very special loved ones (Chad's grandmother and uncle) and once again it was a year when a lot of tears were shed. No year has been "easy" for us...ever, but 2014 was an exceptional year for also bringing us a lot of JOY along with those tears. God is good all the time and all the time God is good.

When I began 2014, I was optimistic and excited about starting not only a new year, but a new decade in my life. My 30s! (It's fun to look back on my first post of 2014 here) Being sliiiiightly freaked out about turning 30, I was determined to kick off the new decade, make it one of the best years yet, and oh my word it did not disappoint. I knew I wanted to travel, spend more time making FUN memories with family and friends, and I really wanted to relish in this precious age that my sweet boy is in. The "twos" are not so terrible. They're a lot of fun actually. He blows my mind each and every day. Seeing things through his eyes is really what makes life fun for us right now. It's the best! We've done all of these things and much more in 2014...it really has been one heck of a year!!

First and foremost probably the most memorable moment of 2014 was when I walked in one of THE biggest surprises of my life. The ultimate 30th birthday party with ALL of my friends and family. It was insane, so much fun! Twelve months later, I still can't get over all the planning and thoughtfulness everyone put into it. I legit will tear up when I think about all the smiling faces that were there. My heart could burst. Definitely the best way to kick off the year and definitely my best birthday ever!!!

Also enjoyed a much needed getaway for just Chad and I, plus I FINALLY got to visit the Biltmore House and check that off my bucket list. I absolutely love exploring new places. New fun hotels. New restaurants. Remember, it was the year of NEW! Carving out time together and fun trips, even if just a day trip, with the hubs is very important to be. I feel it should be with any marriage. We love taking Cade places and spending 24/7 with him, but there's always gotta be time for just "us". Hope to plan another weekend getaway for just us in 2015 too. It really should be a yearly (or more!) time that we look forward to.

We pulled off the most perfect 2nd birthday party for my boy (with a lot of help from family and friends...and yes, I probably went a little overboard. Whew, don't expect that this year Cade) But we really did have so much fun at his Barnyard Party and it will certainly be one for the books.

A lot of SNOW Winter 2014. More like a freakin' blizzard. More than we have had in a while. I will never forget staying with Chad's parents for nearly three days, with his sister/her husband/their kids. FULL HOUSE. We all had major cabin fever, but looking back it was a memorable time with family that we will always look back on and remember forever...after all, making memories is what it's all about.

VEGAS!!!!! Another highlight of the year, my 30th birthday present to myself was to head out to Vegas and see one of my all time favs Britney Spears again. I was able to work while I was there too at MAGIC (fashion market) and also have a fabulous time with my sis and our besties. Vegas is one of my favorite places, girl time is also super important to me...so this uber fun trip made 2014 even more perfect.

More FUN times...Chad and I headed back to Hospital Ball again this year and had a fabulous time. The theme was perfect, we loved getting all dolled up and definitely want to go back again this year!

I was honored to be a part of two of my best friend's weddings, Heather and Kelly, plus attend the wedding of another sweet friend Stephanie. I've known Heather since 8th grade and Kelly since birth, then Stephanie for years now through our mutual friend Kelly... so to see these sweet girls marry the men of their dreams made for a great 2014. They were all fun times!

Taking two year photos of Cade on the Hite's big ol' Southern front porch was another highlight of my year. I will treasure these photos for a lifetime! So glad I could do these this past year and capture him at this precious age.

Another fabulous, fun FRIPP trip in the books for 2014. We loooove this time with family and had even more friends go with us this year so it was just a blast. Always the highlight of our year!

The fun trips kept coming with an adventure to see Thomas the Train at Tweetsie Railroad for the first time. Now THIS was the highlight of Cade's year. Kid still talks about it!

We had a great time in North Myrtle Beach with my family and also meeting up with fun friends too! Our night visiting Pirate's Voyage for the first time was also a highlight. Cade loved!! So glad we got to go and he's already asking to go back.

2014 was the year of big birthdays. Loved celebrating not only my own 30th but the 30th of my college roomie/bestie Cameron and our friend Heather. Girl time (and lots of dancing and champagne) was crucial in 2014. Tis the year to CELEBRATE!

Another highlight for me was making it back to Carolina for a game. I know it seems crazy because most of you go all the time, but with our crazy work schedules we hardly EVER get to go. It's a real treat for me when we do and oooohh how it felt good to be back (even if we didn't win...or have that great of a season). Maybe next year.

Our last fun trip of the year was taking Cade to Dollywood in the Fall. First time Chad OR Cade had ever been and they both LOVED. It was a great family getaway for us before the crazy holiday season!

Oh and then that time my child dressed up as a Christmas tree and I tackled my first DIY Halloween costume. Ok, so I did have a little (or a lot) of help from Chad :) Epic.

Continuing with the FUN theme, 2014 was the year of FUN concerts. Britney, Eric Church, Justin...all some big highlights of 2014 for this music lovin' gal.

Oh and if we're talking about NEW ADVENTURES. This would be one. Yeah that little part I left out in 2014 where, uh yeah... we were BUILDING A HOUSE! Whew. What a dream come true for us this year. It has kept us b-u-s-y, but for the most part just a whole lot of fun and certainly a dream come true. Still a ways to go and more updates on that soon!

Last but not least, the amazing holiday season rounded out the year and was a time to reflect over all of our adventures this year, our blessings, and even with the sicknesses we've had... at least we have had the chance to be home and rest. Sometimes it's good for the soul with all the go-go-go. I really enjoyed some downtime this holiday season (I would have taken it without all the sickness, but you know...)