Snyder 2023 Year in Review

 The cards went in the mail today so I guess I should finish the "2023 Year in Review!" I apologize for the huge font, I am seriously pushing 50 and I can't see anything anymore with or without my glasses!

Every year I mention it is busier than the last, or crazier, and honestly who knows at this point. Life is a wild, beautiful ride and it can be wonderful, boring or excruciating all in the same day. Here goes, I will hit some high lights. For the sake of a year end letter, the year starts in December. We did not travel last December but did enjoy some down time here just before Christmas and it was actually pretty nice (we are crazy and fly out tomorrow for either a few beach days or waiting out Tropical storms, praying for the best!) The kids, my sister, parents and James's mom were all here for Christmas (eve maybe?) I did not take a single picture so that usually means it was a good time. I mostly remember that unborn Eden got more presents than anyone combined. We already loved her soooo much, and we had no idea how much that would grow in a year.

January was its typical blur of cold and not much else. I remember finishing up my kitchen remodel in there. I do absolutely love my new kitchen! Eden was due in April so baby watch was on high alert. 

In February Paige and Peyton turned 23,  they were over sometime near their birthday and it was warm enough for James to use his flattop and do so pretty amazing hibachi. 

March showed up and so did Eden! She decided she was tired of waiting around and wanted to meet us all so she came a little early and tiny. But oh soooo beautiful. With my history of significant premature birth and then a rather dramatic emergency c-section I was so grateful for a safe and uncomplicated deliver for Paige. Sam, Peyton and I got to be with her for the labor and delivery. Honestly it was one of the most spectacular moments of my life to watch Eden come into the world. She did spend around ten days in the NICU. That brought back some memories!

We tore ourselves away from Eden long enough to go back to the Dells for Spring Break. Reese and her friend Katie had a great time along with the Tidwells and the Ketcherside families. It was a good trip and so fun to take a new family to our favorite Spring Break spot!

Ended March and started April at a small group couples' retreat at Starved Rock State Park. It was a cold, rainy weekend but we still had a fantastic time even with no hiking! 

Gram and Pop (my parents) could not wait another minute to meet Eden in person so they came home a month early from Florida. They were in love! It has been fun to see my parents interact with Eden.

I am not a huge saver of memorabilia, but I did save the "home from the hospital outfits" for Paige and Peyton. They were 9 weeks old when they came home and Paige was not quite 4 pounds that day. We took some pictures of Eden in that outfit (yep, I washed it first).

In May we celebrated a few more birthdays. Grandma Pat and Gram both had birthdays. Paige had her first Mother's Day. James and I took a pretty awesome trip (education for me!) to the Florida Keys and enjoyed the beautiful drive through the Keys. Took the required "southernmost spot in the US" picture. I don't really care to return to Key West again but I am glad we got there once!

 

We managed to get most of us in a family picture for Isaiah Tidwell's graduation party!

In June we took off for Bradenton again to spend our 15th anniversary. The Ketcherside family joined us for part of our stay. We had a great time on the beach and boating! Absolutely grateful for such good friends in our lives and incredibly grateful for fifteen crazy full years of marriage.

James's dad and his wife (Steve and Connie) came for a visit in June. We had not seen them since before Covid so we had a nice visit! Aunt Cheryl came over and we had Steve's favorite (I swear he came to Illinois because he missed Monical's pizza!) 

In July we celebrated my favorite holiday (the 4th of course). Reese went to volleyball camp in Wisconsin. We enjoyed the long days and I tried to sit out by my fire pit in the evening as much as possible. We love every minute we spend with Eden! I turned 49 in August. We celebrated my sister Jamie's birthday in August as well. Summer goes sooo fast. I know many people love the cool fall weather but I go into the colder, darker months pretty much kicking and screaming. 

Regardless of how I feel about it, September and fall did arrive. I consoled myself with enjoying the start of Reese's volleyball season and a new Jeep sweatshirt! I am loving every second of watching Eden grow and she is sooooo smiley!

October is hard. It just is. I tried to appreciate the changing leaves and James having a birthday, but it is just full of hard memories and the season changing somehow reminds me so much of them! But God is still so good! Busy with volleyball, Reese went on a volleyball trip to Pensacola. We had a volleyball Weiner roast and the weather was terrible! The girls played volleyball in the rain and dark!

 

In November Reese turned 14. We had a really nice Thanksgiving together. Starting to really look forward to our family Florida trip (at this writing we leave tomorrow!) I am told there may be a tropical storm but we are just going to go with it! 

Looking forward to the new year. Excited to watch Eden grow and change. James making some shift adjustments at work. Praying for health for so many family, friends and co-workers who are struggling this year.  One of the verses I clung to this past year:

Super distracted  this morning replaying a tough week. But mostly watching James on a ladder finish up some tree decorating. He is quite literally the best man I have ever known and I am excited to spend a week with him, the kids (possibly all huddled during a tropical storm). Excited for all that is in store for 2024!

Much love, Merry Christmas from our family to yours,

Sandy

Snyder Christmas 2022

 

As 2022 approaches the rearview mirror, I have been thinking about what to write this year. This morning it occurred to me to start with what I am thankful for this year. 

For the purposes of a Christmas letter, the year started BEFORE Christmas last year, and there was much to be thankful for then. James and I headed to Florida with Reese and her friend Katie to spend a few days in Orlando and go to Universal. Katie's family joined us for two days there and it was really a great time. I greatly enjoyed my favorite Orlando spot, meaning the peaceful and beautiful resort we stay at! The four of us then headed to Bradenton and hit the beach. Anna Maria Island decorated for Christmas was absolutely beautiful. And it was so warm!

January was cold. We did go to Winter Jam in Indy. otherwise..cold. 

February Paige and Peyton turned 22. I don't need to know exactly how they celebrated that, but James and I were in Punta Cana. Steve and Shanna Doggett agreed to accompany us on our slightly extended visit that was set up for a conference for my job (I know, poor me).  Cheryl (my work mom) and her sisters were also in attendance. The resort was beautiful and the weather was amazing! Thankfully Steve and Shanna were willing to try traveling out of the country with us again in the winter, despite remembering the crazy trip to Cancun about 10 years ago when we almost had to drive to Mexico due to a huge winter storm!

We did a lot of travel early on in the year. Super thankful for that! I love to travel with James and it is always an adventure if not a comedy of errors. Reese was home with Olivia and the pups finishing up 6th grade. 

In March I spent a tiny amount of time outside to take a look at out new patio and sidewalks. We had a plan for the back area after the pool collapsed two years ago (of course, while we were on vacation!) and it was now slowly becoming a reality. We also headed back to the Dells for Spring Break. Katie went with us again and we had the Tidwell family and the Kitinoja family joined us. I think surprising the Kitinoja kids was half the fun! (I did not take too many pics)

April we did stay home! Reese was doing dance, gymnastics and tennis so we stayed plenty busy. We did occasionally see Paige and Peyton! 

Since last year's Christmas decorations came down there have been painting projects underway. James repainted the living room (goal is to actually hang something on the walls this year!) I discovered that succulents are much harder to kill than regular plants and flowers so I decided to decorate my front porch for the first time in the 20 years of living here!

June we (James) headed back outside to work more on our backyard plans. Reese also had her dance recital.

We finished the month up with a week at Mom and Dad's condo in Florida which is my absolute happy place. Rented a pontoon for the day and had great fun. We were with Matt and Kristin Shuey for most of this trip and had Lily Shuey with us for the entire time. Peyton and Katie were on the Island at the same time so they came along for boat day. Good thing because we needed all the help we could get when the boat got stuck on a sandbar! 

We got home from Florida and I extended my two week vacation from work by getting COVID. I felt crummy but by the end of my quarantine I was outside helping with the patio (or getting in the way).  Celebrated July 4th with some family and friends. Oh, and I had my first ride in the BACK of a squad car (not a comfortable spot!) Did I mention my patio got finished? I love it! Scattered amongst the repurposed bricks are some new ones that we had engraved. Names, coordinates for Anna Maria Island, life verses and our tattoo inscriptions are all a part of the custom patio, and I love it!

In August, Reese started middle school (eek) and I turned 48. My favorite birthday present was that all of my kiddos were home and sat outside around the new firepit with me. Grownup children are amazing but it is hard to let go and have them fly away. I remind myself daily of the verse that has been at the top of this blog for many years,  and this reminds me that God loves my children more than I could possibly imagine! I also had lunch with my parents and the girls that day. Kryssi and the kids surprised me with Royal Donut! Reese started volleyball soon after school started and we had a great time with her volleyball season. 

September brought more volleyball (my girls looking way too grown), a welcome visit from Dawson, news of a terrible tragedy in the loss of the girls' childhood friend and our former neighbor, Austin. It brought a quick trip to Southern Illinois to visit Betsy and a quick getaway just for James and I. It also brought some exciting news that we were to be grandparents in 2023!

In October we celebrated Reese's volleyball team in their 2nd place in the state tournament. We were so proud of how hard these girls played! I am excited for next year's volleyball season. Ended the month with Halloween and the "Switch" at the church. Reese pulled off her costume, Max from stranger things perfectly. She looks sooo much like that actress! James and Paige and I had a weird last minute middle of the night road trip, and James's mom, Pat moved in with us due to some health concerns. Busy month, not too many pictures though.

November! If you are still reading. James and I attended the Fall Dinner for his Police Union, then his last Union Conference as the Union Treasurer. The big one is that Reese turned 13! She wanted a low key party so we had pizza at my parents with the family.  I also bought my first outfit for my first granddaughter! So much to be thankful for. 

So, again as I complete this photo filled reflection back on 2022,  it has been a reminder of all the beautiful things that happened this year. It has reminded me that no matter how many times I am tempted to look out the window to see if the locusts have landed in the yard, that God is absolutely Good All OF The Time.  So while I don't have pictures to share of the hard times, I am daily striving to be thankful for those as well. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!