And so 2024 is a wrap.

Every time I do one of these, I wonder where the year went. It feels like every month was a marathon and we still sprinted to the end.

December was (as always) a busy few weeks, but not in terms adventuring. There was a lot of running around and cleaning last minute before the festivities.

The first saw our super last minute family photos.

The first full week brought Santa to visit at preschool, the monthly potluck on post (though I took no photos of it), our professional Santa photos, the Home Depot workshop, and the Lighted Christmas Parade.

The 2nd week wrapped up preschool for the year with a Christmas party and the Christmas program.

We finished off that week with taking the dogs for Santa photos at Petsmart. It was a nightmare. The girls didn’t do very good at all, but at least no one slipped a collar and ran out of the store like last year.

The 3rd week calmed down enough for us to get the house picked up for my parents to visit. They weren’t planning to come but a last minute change in plans brought them to us.

Christmas week brought my parents to visit and along with them: way too many treats. I ended up making hot cocoa blossom cookies, cool whip cookies, and wrangled some character sugar cookies. My mom added peanut clusters, cherry mash, peanut butter fudge, popcorn balls, peanut brittle, caramel popcorn, chex mix, and a cheese ball. We’re slowly working our way through everything.

On Christmas Eve, Little Man left Santa cookies and milk and carrots for the reindeer on the plate he made at school.

We also opened our gifts from Grammys and Gramps. Safe to say, he loved his hard hat.

Christmas morning was fruitful and just as exciting for all of us.

That night, we headed to the speedway to see the lights.

The last night of the visit brought us to Nashville to see Zoolumination for the 3rd year. We are glad Nana wasn’t so sick this year to be able to see it. Despite it being packed with people, it was still a beautiful display.

These last few days have been slow and easygoing. I haven’t gotten the decor taken down/put away, but it’s on my list once I can motivate myself.

As I’m reflecting back on the year, 2024 has really been a crazy ride.

In January, we took on Little Man’s adenoidectomy and played in our only real snowfall of the year.

February saw classroom valentines, sickness, and our 2nd Chinese/Lunar New Year festival.

March brought our first Holi festival, the first classmate birthday party, and our 2nd Spring Art Hop.

April was spent outside in the beautiful weather.

May gave us the Northern Lights over Tennessee, Little Man’s very own library card, and reuniting of old friends through music.

June brought us lots of family visits, 4th birthday fun, and first swimming lessons.

July had fireworks, carnivals, and a sunflower festival.

August was for monster trucks, starting a new school year, and a long visit to Nebraska without Daddy.

September brought another Highland Games and pow wow, a first school field trip, and a playdate with a best friend.

October gave us a very special wedding, seeing a favorite podcaster live on tour, and trick or treating in another state.

November gave us another disc golf tournament and a sneak peek at a wonderful new addition.

We waited until after the first trimester (and then some) to tell our immediate families — sorry we kept it from you until now! I was nauseous and exhausted for most of it, and over the last few weeks, I have finally started to feel a bit better. The heartburn is my biggest foe currently, just like it was with Little Man.

We go for our anatomy scan on the 7th of January, though bloodwork has already told us the sex: a girl! I’m still very anxious about this pregnancy, so I will probably hold off on putting anything on social media for a bit longer (so if you read this, please keep our secret until we are ready to officially announce).

This new year is going to bring so many new and wonderful changes. Little Man will finish up preschool, the Mister will officially retire from the Army, and I’m sure there are many new adventures to be had.

We’re looking forward to the next chapter. Here’s to 2025.

Until then,