A Very Special Visit on NYE

On Christmas Day, we were planning on having Grandma, Casey and Great Grandma Irene with us for dinner, but because of all the sickness they decided to be on the safe side and come up when we were better. While the change of plans was disappointing in the moment, it made for a special New Year's Eve for all of us. Grandma and Grandma Irene came up that afternoon.

All of my Grandma's visits are lots of fun and special, but this time was extra special because my Grandma (Grandma Irene) was up visiting from Georgia and it was her first time at our house. We hadn't seen her in a couple of years. It was great to spend time with her and watch the girls get to know her some more.  

We exchanged Christmas gifts for a bit. The girls ooo'd and aaah'd over their new Melissa and Doug mailbox, stamp set and outfits, while Grandma modeled her new scarf for us. After we played post office for a bit and Oliver fell in love with Grandma Irene, Grandma took us all out to lunch at Joe's Crab Shack where we sat for a while and really enjoyed being together.

posing in their new dresses from Nana

their "excited because Grandma is coming" faces

Ella helping Grandma Irene open her gift.

Grandma modeling her new scarf.

Ella loving on Grandma and admiring her necklace.

crazy girls.

checking out the crab with Grandma Irene

four generations

the girls

Grandma meeting Ollie

After our sweet visit, Grandma and Grandma Irene headed home. We were anything but hungry after our seafood feast. The girls were pretty sleepy by the time we got home. Our original plans for the night were family game night and appetizers, but with sleepy girls and full bellies, we decided to bump up the celebrations and toast the new year at seven. The girls really didn't know any differently. They were just really excited to taste bubbly ("spicy") grape juice. They felt special. We found a fun New Year's Countdown and then toasted to 2015. We all started the year with the rest we needed; the girls in bed at a good time, while Joe and I relaxed together with a Netflix marathon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IjWc0iKELc

2014 in review

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3n3qoEmB9Q

Here's to another year and all that it brings, but mostly here's to a good God who knows each day before it comes to be. I pray that this year we would continue to learn what it means to find our hope in Him and grow closer to Jesus. We are blessed beyond what we could ever hope for. Cheers to many more special memories and moments in 2015!