A Lean, Mean, 2015 Machine

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Here we are at the end of 2015. Can you believe the year is over? I know everyone says the same thing every year, but honestly I truly feel like yesterday was April. Our summer flew by so fast and suddenly the fall was over in the blink of an eye. While 2015 wasn't nearly as go, go, go as 2014 it was still a keep it moving kind of year. I already recapped my full year however, I find summing up my year in one post really brings everything full circle at the end of the year. I'll try not to get nostalgic as I take a look back to the 365 days that were 2015. #takingalookback #thankyou2015

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2015 became my year of doing and so many amazing opportunities came our way because we were open to trying new things, changing things up and saying yes to challenges. We took a lot of kickball trips with a brand new team and it was a much less frustrating year as a whole. Of course there were ups and downs on the playing field and with teammates, but that's life right? I made great catches, helped my team on offense and really played well all year. I was nervous about joining the team we did, but in the end it the team was a perfect fit and Le Husband, the sissys and I were able to send our kickball careers off with a bang. #timetoretire #thankyouforeverthingkickball #manimold

Speaking of a bang, this year I worked my @$$ off to get a banging body. What started as a 'hey you wanna try this' question to Le Husband turned into a complete lifestyle change and one I wish I had tried out earlier in life. Whole30 finally gave me the body I've wanted for years and the program helped me break away from my previous food mentality. I finally got back down to my wedding weight and was able to really see abs for the first time since college. It wasn't easy, it wasn't always fun but it was 100% worth it. I credit Whole30 with helping me achieve my 2015 fitness goal of running the Spartan Sprint in the elite category and helping me get over the obstacles, mentally and physically.

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My year of yes found me trying something completely out of my comfort zone when I decided to attend Les Mills BODYPUMP training. The weekend was a huge learning experience and receiving my certification in August was such a high after all of my hard work. I've been in front of classes a few times and have been told I'll have two next year which I am so excited about teaching. I never expected to work in the fitness world but this opportunity is one I'm enjoying for the moment so we will see where it takes me. Who knows, maybe I've found my career path.

There were ups and downs like every year, but this year was a bit less dramafied. So many of my dear friends welcomed beautiful babies into the world and I was so thrilled to meet my BOFF's baby Evie. Le Husband and I are still on the same page regarding kids, we want them but not quite yet. We still have a few bucket list items we want to check off before being parents and we are slowly making moves to get them done. I tried out new hairstyles, make up styles and began experimenting a bit more with fashion as well. It's nice feeling more confident in myself and growing older has helped me learn who I am and what I want out of life. #collectmemoriesnotthings #dontletthedramagetyoudown #bewhoyouare

All in all 2015 was a pretty fantastical year. We traveled, learned new recipes, tried new challenges, set new goals and made new friends. There was a lot of growing done and I know we will continue to grow as the years pass. The end of 2015 found us making a big decision and finally putting our plan into action. I'm talking huge, life changing and excitingly scary.

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Our year started off with multiple trips and will be ending with a big trip, too. As you're reading this, I'm getting ready to celebrate NYE on a cruise with my family for Mama B's 60th birthday! YES, a NYE cruise, how fun, right? Mama B is the bestest and we all wanted to celebrate her big milestone in a big way so we put this cruise together earlier this year. I can't wait to tell you all about our Caribbean cruise down to Mexico, Belize and Honduras. I hope you all have a wonderful and safe night celebrating New Year's Eve. Cheers to the ending of a fabulous year and double cheers to the start of a new one.

Year in Review {Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec}

Here we are, the last yearly recap. Wow, just wow. Hard to believe tomorrow is the last day of 2015. What a year it was and what memories were made. I have to admit, I got a bit teary finishing this post because there were so many wonderful moments to reflect on and remember. #lastyearlyrecap #goodbye2015
 

S E P T E M B E R
Labor day was celebrated in Cincinnati with family. It was a wonderful time of baby cuddling, pool time, yummy food and of course playtime with legos and kids.

 

We celebrated our two year anniversary and it was a wonderful anniversary celebration.

 

The month continued with a trip to Music City for kickball. It wasn't the best tournament but it was a fantastic time with some of my favorite people. #blessed #rich #ilovekickballandmyfamily

 

I shared my first makeup video. 

Katie Elizabeth and I hosted a fall linkup and it was so much fun reading everyone's fall favorites. 

 

I trekked down to my alma mater for a soccer alumni reunion and welcomed Babyspice home from London.

I also gave you a lil bit more of a peek into my personality and life.  

O C T O B E R

I became CPR certified and ate all the unhealthy things.

We made our yearly Vegas visit and again came away from the tournament short handed. However, we ate delicious food, hung out with some amazing people and enjoyed a fun weekend away from regular life.

Shared a review of a new boutique,  provided tips on the perfect pushup. and shared some of my Autumn favorites.

Made my first homemade soup. #whole30

 

We were weenies and did NOTHING for Halloween.

N O V E M B E R

The first full weekend of November I headed down to Orlando for the kickball Championships and I also met up for a fabulous blate with some of my Florida favorites. It was a fabulous happy hour and the tournament actually went really well for once. We didn't win but everyone played their best and that's all you can ask for right?

 

 

Snapped up some sweet make up goodies and wore some of my fashion favorites.  

 

I used November to give thanks for many different things and it made me happy counting my blessings.

Sportyspice got engaged!!!!! 

We traveled Cincinnati for Thanksgiving and spent an fabulous week with family celebrating the holiday.

 

D E C E M B E R 

I joined some fabulous ladies and hosted my first giveaway.

Katie, Sara and I also had a weekly Christmas Countdown linkup. I shared my favorite decor item, our apartment decorations, a gift guide and ended it with some of my favorite Christmas traditions.

There was Christmas tree buying, dinner with friends, mission work and of course yummy treats.

 

 

We continued our yearly tradition of lay wreaths in Arlington cemetery and this year Le Husband joined in the fun. 

 

I started recapping 2015. 

We celebrated Christmas in DC with my family. 

And there you have it folks, the end of the line. Thank you 2015 for being so fabulous. CHEERS to 2016!

Christmas in Numbers

Christmas Eve Picture fun!

4:: the number of pizzas ordered for Christmas Eve dinner.

1:: the number of parents who sang in the choir at Christmas Eve service.

86:: the number of minutes spent watching a Muppet's Christmas Carol.

1800:: the number of seconds it took Sportyspice and me to clean up Christmas Eve communion.

6ish:: the number of mimosas and glasses of wine consumed Christmas morning.

8:: the number of people included in our Christmas.

4:: the number of imporumptu dance parties that erupted in the kitchen.

16:: the number of years we've walked down the stairs in our house Christmas morning.

Too many:: the number of presents under the tree.

180:: the number of minutes it took to cook the prime rib roast.

7:: the number of times a Christmas Story was watched.

0:: the number of thank you notes already started.

10:: the number of minutes I took a nap after dinner.

60:: the age Mama B turned on Saturday. #happybirthdayspecialmama

1:: the number of trips taken to the airport

How was your Christmas weekend? I hope you had the best days ever! < 3

Jesus is Born Today

 

 

 

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Wishing you all the grace, love, happiness and JOY 

this BLESSED CHRISTMAS DAY!

All is Calm. All is Bright.

NOT A CREATURE WAS STIRRING...

Twas the Night Before Christmas

By: Sister St. Thomas, B.N.D. de N

Via Domestic-Church via Catholic Pages

"Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the town,

St. Joseph was searching, walking up roads and down;

Our Lady was waiting, so meek and so mild,
While Joseph was seeking a place for the Child.

The children were nestles, each snug in their beds,

The grown-ups wouldn't bother, there's no room they said;

When even the innkeeper sent them away,

Joseph was wondering, where they would stay.

He thought of the caves in the side of the hills,

Lets go there said Mary, it's silent and still;

Made pathways of light for their tired feet to go.

And there in a cave, in a cradle of hay,

Our Savior was born on the first Christmas Day!

The Father was watching in heaven above,
He sent angels, His couriers of love.

More rapid than eagles God's bright angels came;

Rejoicing and eager as each hear his name;

Come Power, Come Cherubs, Come Virtues, Come Raphael,

Come Thrones and Dominions, come Michael and Gabriel.

Now fly to the Earth, where My poor people live,

Announce the glad tiding My Son comes to give;

The Shepherds were watching their flocks on this night,

And saw in the heavens and unearthly light.

The Angels assured them, they'd nothing to fear,

It's Christmas they said, the Savior is here!

They hastened to find Him, and stood at the door,
Til Mary invited them in to adore.

He was swaddled in bands from His head to His feet,

Never did the Shepherd's see a baby so sweet.

He spoke not a word, but the Shepherd's all knew,

He was telling them secrets and blessing them too.

Then softly they left Him, The Babe in the hay,

And rejoiced with great joy on that first Christmas Day;

Mary heard them exclaim and they walked up the hill,
Glory to God in the Highest, Peace to men of good will!"

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Oh Holy Night
Sweet hymns of JOY in grateful chorus raise we,
let all within us PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME!
CHRIST is the LORD!!!

Oh Little Town of Bethlehem

We hear the CHRISTMAS ANGELS,

the GREAT GLAD tidings tell

Oh come to us, abide with us

our LORD EMMANUEL!

Christmas Carol of the Bells

Ring Christmas bells,

Merrily ring

Tell all the world

JESUS IS KING

Masters in the Hall

This is Christ, the Lord

Masters be ye glad!

Christmas is come in

And no folk shall be sad!

Joy to the World

Joy to the world! the Lord is come;

Let earth receive her King;

Let every heart prepare him room,

And heaven and nature sing,

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Wishing you and yours a blessed Christmas Eve. 

And if you're offline the rest of the week I wish you a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Year in Review {May, June, July, August}

Morning and cheers, friends. Can you believe Christmas is this Friday? I sure can't! This is quite possibly the best week of the year because everyone is super excited for the holidays and there is a fun bustle in the air. The magical night is almost here and we are on the cusp of Christmas joy. Today is extra joyous  because I taught my FIRST BODYPUMP CLASS THIS MORNING AND we are doing our FIRST round of wedding dress shopping for Sportyspice.  I CAN'T WAIT to see her beautiful face in all the pretty gowns. EEEK! So much fun in one week!

Be Te Dubs, big THANK YOU to everyone who linked up with us for the Christmas Countdown this month. Katie, Sara and I had a great time hosting and I loved reading all the fun festive posts this month. I appreciate all of the support y'all gave us, y'all ARE the BESTEST!!!!

Anyway, below you'll find the middle part of my year and honestly, part of the quietest part of my year. We were pretty go go go at the beginning but the summer found us a lil more mellow which was nice. I always enjoy the slow, lazy days, they make my heart sing. #quietbeforethestorm #sleepinginisthebest

M A Y
I shared some of the not so pretty parts of my personality.

We celebrated Mama B on Mother's Day.

 

After Whole30 and changing up my fitness routine I finally started seeing real progress in my body.

Our women's kickball team had our first tournament of the year and came out of it back-to-back champs. It was great playing well and winning some extra money too. 

I posted about my feeling of contentment with life and and some of my loves of the year.

We flew to Cincinnati for Memorial weekend to meet our new nephew. Oh my goodness, I love new baby smell and cuddles. It was a great weekend of babies, kiddos, summer fair and the pool. #iloveweekendswithfamily

J U N E

Summer brought lots of sporting events and the Women's World Cup.

Since it was the middle of the year, I rechecked in with my 2015 goals.

We had a lot of fun on the weekends with bike rides and enjoyed lots of soccer on television.

In order to get ready for swim suit season, Le Husband and I did a second round of Whole30 and had great results.  

 

I OWNED it, the good the bad and the ugly.

June brought the DC Kickball tournament and it ended up being a big disappointment both days. Our coed team really stunk it up and then our women's team lost in the finals and I was the last out. It was pretty tough, but luckily a dinner celebrating Father's Day brought the smiles back. #myfamilyrocks #whattrulymatters

 

I went out on a HUGE limb and signed up for BODYPUMP training. It was a long weekend of learning, fitness and stepping outside my comfort zone but I did it and I PASSED!!!! I was so excited and proud of myself.

That same weekend we sent off a favorite family of ours and enjoyed a wet, but fun dinner cruise down the Potomac river. It was a ton of fun but really hard to say goodbye to such wonderful people.

 

We also celebrated Mama B's half birthday with a pool party and it was a BLAST! #shelooksdarngoodforherage

 

J U L Y

We continued cheering on the USWNT in the WWC. It was fun meeting up with soccer friends and the sissys.

Le Husband and I snuck off for a week vacation in Colorado where we celebrated the 4th of July. While in Colorado we watched the USWNT win the World Cup for the first time since 1999 and it was pretty awesome! I had some amazing blog friends guest post for me while we were away. [Thanks pretty girls].

I posted my first Today I post and it was a great concept. Bummer I failed to do anymore this year.

There was no rest for the weary as I spent the next weekend playing in a soccer tournament and hanging with some new soccer friends. It was a long soccer weekend with six games but a ton of fun as WE WON so it was worth it!

 

I gave thanks for small things, shared some of my Nordstrom sale purchases,  had a chill weekend for once and said goodbye to a dear blog friend who lost her battle with heart disease. #rememberingleslie

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A U G U S T
I CONQUERED my fitness goal for 2015 when I ran the Spartan race in the elite category. It was tough, but did it and I wasn't last which made me feel so strong. I worked really hard this year for this goal and was thrilled when all the hard work paid off. #spartansprint #spartanstrong #goalachieved #stickwithitandyoullgetit

We spent an abbreviated week in Tennessee for our yearly family vacation. It might have been a short week, but the fun, sun and memories made weren't short anything. The water was fantastic and it was great being back after missing out last year. Le Husband even learned to one ski which was so awesome to watch. #waytogohoney

 

Continuing the BODYPUMP certification process I taught my first class comprised of my family. They were champs and rocked it out and I did the whole thing in one full take the first time. It was a bit scary putting all my training out there but I was proud of my achievement when it was all over. #BODYPUMP #myfamilyrocks

Just a a week later I found out I PASSED MY ASSESMENT and could apply for a JOB! #HOLLA

Our last August weekend brought on pool time, good food, birthday celebrations and of course kickball!

 

Wow, summer was super fast this year, right? I mean wow, I think I had a pretty awesome one. Check you next week for my last recap [wow that is crazy to write and read]!