Happy birthday Jackson.

On January 4th my "little brother" turned 16 years old. He is now old enough to date and drive.

 For his birthday dinner he requested turkey, cheesy potatoes, rolls, and cooked carrots. After dinner we celebrated with presents and his favorite Reese's Peanut Butter Cake.

For his birthday he asked for a lot of ties. He's turning into a little fashionista. He also asked for a new suit that he can wear when he takes girls out to dances. How cute is that?! 

Jackson is the sweetest high school aged boy that you'll ever meet. For example, a couple months ago I got a text from him in the middle of the day that just said "Hey, I love you! Hope you have a good day!" What 16 year old boy sends those things to his big sis?! I love how determined he is. He's already accomplished so much in his short 16 years of life and has met SO many incredible goals. This kid is talented! He's also driven, self motivated, and a big dreamer. I think if I was his age and met him at school we'd be really really good friends.... I also think I'd have a crush on him. He's a stud and such a baller. I'm tellin' ya, he's a star athlete too! Happy birthday my little ginger, baby zaza, and J-man. I sure love you!

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See Jackson's 15th birthday and 14th birthday. Can you even believe how much he's grown and matured?!

Paisley Fox turns 4.

I get to party all day long on New Years Eve, because it's the day that my very first niece was born! Paisley woke up on Saturday morning and was SO excited to remind everyone what day it was. The fam started out our day at Black Bear Diner - with the exception of me who had to work. boo! - because what better way to start birthday celebrations then with pancakes? Luckily, I got off work early to help out with her party. This year was the first time she had a "friend" party, and she's been counting on it being "deer themed" for months now. We started out with decorating deer sugar cookies. How cute is this cookie cutter we found on amazon? 

We then played "pin the antlers on the deer" and opened presents.

Paisley was 100% against us singing Happy Birthday to her, she just doesn't like the attention! But her dad (being the big tease that he is) started singing happy birthday anyways.... and it ended like this.

hahahahaha, we couldn't stop laughing... DRAMA. 

Later that night we had family over for cake and ice-cream. 

Me being the "personal dessert" chef that I am had the honor of making her cake. I'll admit, I was pretty proud of this one. 

Because of our experience earlier in the day, we decided to say "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" once in unison instead of singing. It went much more smooth that way! 

I still can't believe this little sweet heart is already 4 years old.... I spent so much of the day looking at old pictures of her from over the years. At one point I told Lexi "I'm going to cry! I can't believe how fast she's grown up!" Later I was showing her parents some of the old pictures I was looking at and Paisley turns around and shouts "WHY is Courtney crying about it?!" HAHA. We all got a good laugh out of that one.

This little girl has brought more meaning to my life then I even know how to explain.... I feel like I'm being so dramatic because I'm just an Aunt; but I can honestly say that this little girl (and her little sister) have changed my life. I wouldn't be in the place I am right now without them. They are two of my BIGGEST motivations to stay healthy. I always want to be around to watch them grow up. I want to be a good role model to them. I want them to remember me being full of life, full of energy, and exciting! I don't want them to remember a sick version of myself. These girls keep me fighting for the best life each and every day. With the love I feel for my nieces.... I can't even imagine what being a mama would feel like.

It was such a surreal and sentimental day as we celebrated her birthday, because 4 years ago she changed my life drastically. As dramatic as it is, I genuinely mean it! Being an aunt is the BIGGEST blessing in my life thus far. God was very aware of me & the timing of her precious spirit entering this world. He knew I would be needing some Paisley therapy in the years that were about to come. I couldn't thank him more for putting her in my life. We love you little Pais bug, happy 4th birthday! 

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See her 3rd birthday, and 2nd birthday.

Happy Golden Days.

Every year the day after Thanksgiving my family goes to the Aults Christmas tree lot to pick out a freshly cut pine tree to put in our home.

It soon became a tradition for me and my sisters to selfie/photo shoot it up at this Christmas Tree lot every year too.

This holiday season was so cozy, relaxing, and eye opening. I did a lot of soul searching and self pondering. I was really able to realize more and more each day those who are truly there for me at the end of it all vs. those who don't give me much thought. I came to a better understanding of those who truly care about me, my heart, and what ever it is I'm going through at the moment. I've been able to move forward, brush things off, and let things go. It's been a really good Christmas break filled with people who fill my heart.

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Past "Christmas Tree lot photo shoot" posts from 2015 and 2014. My favorite would for sure have to be those from 2014. I miss my long hair quite badly. Grow hair grow!! 

Christmas day 2016.

We woke up on Christmas morning when our babies did. They were so excited to see if Santa had came and what he had brought them. 

I feel so happy that they're still living with us. There's nothing more magical then babies on Christmas morning. It makes me all the more excited and hopeful to have kiddo's of my own someday. 

I was WAY too spoiled by Santa, my parents, and my cute family this year. A new i-phone (7 plus - hey hey hey check me out!), clothes, a new bed spread, books, candles, shoes, ect. All of my favorite things!

After presents we got ready for church. Although I love staying in my Pajama's all day, church on Christmas morning is so perfect. It's a great reminder of why we celebrate in the first place! I love being able to reflect on Christ's birth. I can't help but just feel so blessed. This gospel truly is the the full puzzle. It's everything we need and more. It wouldn't be possible without Him.

Her and her little pig tails; be still my heart.

We came home and were changed back into our pj's within the blink of an eye. We made some homemade egg nog and then slaved away in the kitchen as we helped my mom cook food for our "Christmas brunch."

We usually always have a big Christmas breakfast, but because Christmas was a Sunday this year we waited until after church. Our Christmas brunch consisted of a breakfast quiche, an overnight baked brown sugar pecan french toast (with caramel syrup), fresh pineapple, and orange juice.

The rest of the day was spent snuggling inside, playing with new toys, and enjoying time as a family. Christmas day is so magical. I love the relaxed and cozy feeling that fills the air. It was especially cozy considering there had been a storm the night before while we were all fast asleep. Nothing tops a white Christmas! 

(There's total a legitimate reason for all the hype this speak now game has gotten. It's a hoot.)

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Past 2 Christmas' here and here. 

Christmas Eve.

Christmas Eve morning started at work for me (because double pay - i'm a sucker for $$.) Afterwards I headed over to our Hill Family Christmas Eve party.

The highlight of the party for Paisley was the pumpkin pie; and by pumpkin pie I mean licking oodles of whipped cream off of the top of her pumpkin pie (because I don't think she actually took one bite)

She owns my heart.

She owns my heart too. Although she isn't apart of the "hill side" she joined us at the party and I'm SO glad she did. She comes down to spend Christmas with my family every year. It's always one of the biggest Christmas blessings/highlights for me!

 I then delivered a bunch of friend gifts - which included lots of these candied apples. 

And when you get ready and do your make up for the first time in weeks you've obviously gotta selfie it up in the car for a hot minute. 

The night ended with tradition after tradition. We went to in-n-out burger for dinner, saw a "Christmas Eve movie," went on a drive to see Christmas lights, and had a mega sleepover with everyone in the family room. 

(of course there's going to be some tears after you trip)

Our Christmas Eve movie this year was Moana. 10/10 recommend. 

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night. 

And it did snow that night. It was a Christmas miracle. 

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Christmas Eve 2015 here.