2015

Overall 2015 was a great year.  We had our down moments that is for sure but it's also the year I met my Oliver Russell and watched Elle become a big sister...and that by far outweighs the bad. 

Here is a look at some of my favorite moments.

Our trip to Columbia.

We wanted to do something special with Elle since my due date was just a couple weeks away. I spend a majority of the trip having contractions and terrified I was going to go into labor and deliver away from home but we still had so much fun!  I am so grateful we did this with Elle as our last hurrah as a family of 3. 

Oliver Russell

Of course my sweet boy was the biggest highlight of the year and he's tied with Elle as the biggest highlight of my life. I adore this boy, forever grateful I get to be his mommy. 

Watching Elle become a big sister

I was so nervous for this for no good reason.  Elle has been amazing with Oliver since the moment she met him.  I love that her first words to him were, "the pink loveys are mine".

Our girls night out

We went to dinner and did some early Christmas shopping.  Any night we are together there is a ton of laughing and this night was no exception!

Family Vacation

This year we went to Branson and as always had lots of fun. 

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Elle winning cutest Mizzou fan

Obviously she was the cutest little tiger there!

Henry starting school 

This was both a happy and sad moment but Hen did great!  And now we have fun school programs to go to!

Elle's 1st day of soccer

The rest of the season wasn't super smooth but that first day sure was fun! :)

Going Part Time

Hello! This was huge for me.  Being able to spend extra time with my kiddos means everything to me!  Little moments like a picnic in the backyard on a Tuesday are things I will never forget.  

So so so so so grateful!

Apple Picking!

I love that Eric and I have started this tradition for our family.  

Smooching these little cheeks and legs daily 

Seriously, I'm not taking one day of this chubby baby faze for granted!

Buzz Lightyear

Seeing the look on Elle's face when she saw herself dressed as Buzz Lightyear.  She was certain Henry wouldn't recognize her!

Oliver's 1st Christmas!

We enjoyed a lazy Christmas morning at home and it was just perfect.

I Love Lucy

Eric and I had an I Love Lucy date night and I loooved it!!  I first wanted to see this in Chicago when I was pregnant with Elle.  So glad I finally got to experience it!

    

Will & Paige Getting Engaged!

We are so excited for August 2017!

Excited to see what 2017 has instore for our family.

The Polar Express

We ended our Christmas celebrating with a ride on the Polar Express!

On the 26th we headed out in the rain for a ride to the North Pole, this year we convinced my mom, dad and brother to join the fun.

Waiting inside to board the train.

I'm not sure where this side eye smile came from but I've been getting it a lot lately.

Ollie's 1st ride on the Polar Express!

All aboard!

Getting their tickets punched by the conductor!

Will was super into it. :)

Dancing :)

Santa came on board and gave each kid a bell. 

The ride was a bit of a bummer this year but still a fun night! 

Merry Christmas!

We had a very Merry Christmas at the Hylton house!!

We kicked things off on Christmas Eve Eve (Wednesday) by baking some cookies for Santa.  Ollie was already asleep and Eric went to bed so Elle and I stayed up late baking and listening to Christmas music.  Hundreds of sprinkles were spilled on the floor and we had a great time!

Elle wanted to leave a couple cookies for Elfie to enjoy.  After we cleaned up, brushed her teeth and I was getting her ready for bed she wanted to run into the foyer to see if Elfie had ate his cookies yet. I just love this age!

Christmas Eve was spent cleaning (I love need a clean house before present opening), wrapping last minute presents and making sure both babies had a decent nap before church.  Side note ~ we had a couple windows open on Christmas Eve.  The warm weather we had last week was crazy!

Ollie was in no mood for pictures before church.  

The cutest babies I know!

We need more girls in our family, I'm counting on Will and Paige to make that happen!

After church we went to Eric's parents house for dinner and presents.  I'm terrible about taking pictures there but we had a fun time. Elle, Harper and Oliver tore through their presents and helped Grandma Chris make brownie Santa hats.

Oliver went straight to bed when we got home but Elle stayed up to make sure the milk and cookies were set out for Santa!

She also left a couple carrots and a bowl of water on the front porch for the reindeer. 

Santa came!

Ollie boy was the first one up to see what Santa had left.

Elle loved the nativity that Santa brought our family.

This little boy.  I could just squeeze him!!!

We had a slow, lazy morning.  Eric made breakfast, we opened all our presents, played with toys, watched Christmas movies.  Perfect Christmas morning!

Oliver gave Elle this cowboy hat and she loves it!

Around 3:30 we went to my parents house for more celebrating.

These two were so ready to tear into these big gifts!

Big kid bikes for the two big kids!

Elle was so excited, she kept telling me, "this bike is for big big girls".  

And Henry kept telling Elle, "Your bike is pretty big but it's pretty small too.  My bike is bigger".

These two are like siblings!

They immediately took them outside for a test drive.

Elle needs some practice but Hen pretty much has it down!

After riding their bikes we went back inside to open all the presents. Mom and Dad once again went way overboard and completely spoiled us and our kids. 

This is Elle at the end of the night in her Anna pj's (over her jeans) playing with her new iPad from MawMaw and PawPaw.  It's one of those little doodle screens that you can write on but she insists it's an iPad. 

We had such a fun day and I'm so sad that it's already over!  There is nothing better than a Christmas with little kids!