Sugar Bowl 2026

As soon as our beloved Georgia Bulldogs won the SEC Championship game in early December and the bowl game schedule was released, Derek was immediately booking us a hotel room in New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl! After three years in Alaska, we were thrilled to be within driving distance for a bowl game! We initially had our fingers crossed for the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, but it worked out better being in NOLA because it was a mid-way point between us & my parents! They were able to join us for a few days in the Big Easy and for the game--it was so much fun! And an extra bonus was that we got to be with my mom on her birthday, which almost never happens! We were actually together for my birthday last year on our Disney cruise & then together this year for her birthday--what a gift!

We visited the WWII museum, the aquarium & insectarium {new since we've last been there!}, the jazz museum for Shelby. We also got to attend the Sugar Bowl parade the day before the game, which was a lot of fun! The game didn't turn out the way we'd hoped {two of our kiddos were in tears as we left the stadium}, but there is nothing like the energy of a city leading up to a bowl game!

{you can get a peek of Hadley's UGA nails in this photo--she purchased a nail art book with her Christmas gift card money & has had so much fun with it so far!}

And just like that, it was time to go home! The drive home seemed to drag on & on for us, but one bright spot was that we spotted Bevo in route back to Austin from Texas's bowl game in Florida.

We sure would have loved a win in New Orleans, but we'll take the memories! So thankful for this special trip with our people! 

Visit from the Griffins, December 2025

The day after Christmas, we woke up early and headed out for the kids to spend Christmas gift cards! They were so excited to head to Barnes & Noble and Bath & Body Works!

Then after lunch Hadley made guacamole to prep for the Griffins' arrival. They booked a last minute trip to come see us after Christmas, and it was so fun to spend a few uninterrupted days with them!

{looking up words while playing Scrabble}

So thankful for our time together!

Christmas 2025

We had a wonderful Christmas at home just the five of us with the most glorious weather. Shelby & I started our Christmas Eve morning with a run, and I think it may have been the first time we've run together since leaving Alaska! It was such a wonderful start to our day! Then we went to the afternoon Christmas Eve service at church followed by cookie-making for Santa & our annual gift-giving from the kids!

{a perk to Christmas Eve on a sunny and 70 degree day is decorating cookies outdoors--we sure weren't doing this last year!!}

The kids so proudly passing out their gifts to each family member on Christmas Eve is one of my very favorite traditions--I love it so, so much.

Then Santa came, and Christmas Morning arrived! We told the kids they could come downstairs at 8:00. All three were up super early hanging out together and chomping at the bit to race down the stairs!

{After we opened our stockings, Brady immediately noticed that Santa left a new trampoline in our backyard & couldn't get outside fast enough!}

{trying out his new slingshot from Shelby!}

{the kids worked together that afternoon to add the net to their trampoline--they really enjoyed this project!}

So thankful for another year filled with Christmas memories celebrating the birth of our Savior!