the Morgan's: 2015 in Review

Since 2010, I've been doing a "Year in Review" post. I love looking back on them and reflecting on the good and the bad! However, each year it gets harder and harder to narrow down to 1-2 pictures a month, so I snuck in an extra 1-2 for a few special, eventful months! That being said, I apologize in advance for how long it takes for this post to load with the 3,000 pictures I chose to include! Haha!! 2015 was a great year and I am super excited about 2016!! There are lots of things in store for our little family!

January
The beginning of 2015 included getting back into the grind with a new semester, our first annual beach reunion with our original Sunday school class, Ava Kate's 6 month mark, and the first time we met sweet Cousin Pepper!

Ava Kate meeting Cousin Pepper!

At the beach for our Annual MLK Beach Trip with the original Sunday School folks!

February
In February, we celebrated my 26th birthday, enjoyed Carolina basketball season, and played in Ava Kate's first snow!

Ava Kate's first snowman… she wasn't impressed.

Ava Kate's first time in a swing on the playground at church.

Carolina Girls are the best in the world!

March
March was a pretty chill month! Between Ava Kate recovering from RSV and pink eye, and Parker and I battling viruses, we didn't do a lot! I did host a baby shower for my sweet sister-in-law as we prepared to welcome Ella Paityn into the world!

The spread for Candice's baby shower!

April
April began with Spring Break and Easter! We went to the river for the annual sunrise service and spent time with the Morgan family, and then came home for church! Then, at the end of the month, we welcomed baby Ella Paityn when she was born on April 29! :) :)

Ava Kate in her first Easter dress!

Sweet Baby Cousin, Ella Paityn is here!

May
May consisted of busy school events, my first Mother's Day, beautiful weather, and church-league softball games! Good times!

Beautiful weather on Mother's Day!

One of the first softball games of the season!

June
June was a busy month as Parker, Dad, Weston, and Parker's dad worked to build a swing set for Ava Kate's birthday. Parker & I celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary and we had friends and family over for Ava Kate's first birthday party!

Beginning of Summer! She looks so grown up in this pic!

Our 4th wedding anniversary!

The guys spoiling Ava Kate by building her birthday present!

July
July was also super busy! Ava Kate had her first birthday, we celebrated Independence Day at the river, and went to the beach several times -- one of which being my family's 26th annual beach trip! During that trip, Ava Kate took her first boat ride on my dad's boat!

Happy Independence Day from the Morgans!

Ava Kate's first boat ride with Granddaddy Mark!

Annual beach pic with the fam!

August
August was another busy month! (I see a trend during the summertime!) Parker and I celebrated our anniversary with a trip to the Dominican Republic and Ava Kate stayed with our parents for a week. Candice, Mrs. Lydia, and I attended the Ruffin McNeil Ladies' Football Clinic and had a blast! Sadly, ECU let Coach Ruff go… it won't be the same without him! I also began my 5th year teaching at SCHS and began teaching for the Pitt County Schools Virtual Academy and NC Virtual Public School!

Dominican Republic with my love! :)

Just a normal day at the end of summer break!

Some of the Morgan girls with Coach Ruff!

September
In September, we celebrated Parker's 29th birthday with a trip to Asheville for Amber & Jarrett's wedding! Parker and I went to the Biltmore Estate during our weekend away and had a reunion with my college clan!

My bestie and me getting ready for Amber's wedding! :)

Date to the Biltmore! :)

October
October was a SUPER busy month! I chaired the 3rd annual Stand for One Gala for Restore One and it was A-MAZ-ING. I loved planning it and it turned out SO well. Bob Goff was our speaker and he was WONDERFUL. I cannot say enough about him! Ava Kate dressed as a ladybug for Halloween and picked out our pumpkins!

Red Carpet photo with my love at the Restore One Gala!

Setting up for the Restore One Gala! So proud of it!

Picking out our pumpkins!

A ladybug and Forrest Gump…. my sweet family!

November
In November, Ava Kate and I joined Parker in Myrtle Beach for a work conference… I know, such a sacrifice on our part! Haha! AK and I did a lot of Christmas shopping and we joined the family for a helicopter ride over Myrtle Beach! It was super fun! SCHS SGA hosted it's first annual color run, which turned out to be a huge success, and we decorated the house for Christmas!

Riding on the helicopter over Myrtle Beach! SO FUN!

Color Battle at the end of the SCHS In Color 5k hosted by our SGA!

Ava Kate's fall dress… and "hand-me-up" from sweet Ella Paityn! She's grown SO much this year!

Picking out our Christmas tree!

December
I began December by cutting off 12" of hair and donating it in honor of my mom! It's been on my bucket list and I was excited to finally do it! We celebrated Christmas with our families and Ava Kate was soooo fun this year for Christmas! :)