{WHW}: A New Year!

Happy New Year (and a day) friends!

I hope that your holiday season was everything you expected and more.

Ours got off to a bumpy start with Ella getting the stomach bug on Wednesday before Christmas and then MG and I both coming down with it within 2 hours of each other on Friday. I've never been so miserable, and the fact that neither of us was 100% to take care of Ella was SO hard. Literally took turns caring for her and puking. It was one of the most miserable days/nights I've had in my life.

Cut to Sunday and Ella got pink eye...for the SECOND TIME in 2 weeks. And then woke up on Christmas Eve at 5:50 am. So we got up, ate and packed the car, and got on the road and were at my in-laws' house by 10:30am.

We had an amazing Christmas with Ella. Last year was fun but this year was even better because she got to actually open presents and play with the things that she got. And this girl got A LOT! 

One of many many many gifts

In front of my SIL's tree with our oldest niece, prior to the gift bonanza that ensued

Ella's new ball pit and tunnel

Laughing at the family entertaining her

My BIL's and I call ourselves The Outcasts, and we all happened to win our fantasy football leagues this year.
We're also known for our fun pics and this was no exception. Love my BIL's

Me with my SIL's

The adult table

The reaction to our painting gift

We spent 5 days with MG's family which was so much fun, and the best part was that MG arranged for us to have a night away, just us, and my SIL, MIL and niece watched Ella. She was an angel for them (so apparently she CAN keep her toddler-ness under control haha), and we had a phenomenal night out, walked around the city, revisited the place we got engaged, did some shopping, relaxed at the hotel, had a dinner out, and then my other SIL and BIL met up with us for drinks and we stopped by a pop up Christmas bar. SO fun!

Where we got engaged, in front of Independence Hall

Out to dinner, kid free!

Tinsel Christmas bar with my sister-in-law

He's my favorite :)

We had some low key, hang out nights and just enjoyed being with everyone. We definitely realize the benefits of living close to family, having the extra help when you need it, and people who love you, and your kid. The pull to move to PA is strong.

It was nice to get away from the sicknesses we were dealing with. The last 2 months of the year were not our easiest. Life's given us some challenges, but being with family helped us heal even more. I'm thankful for our people...friends and family who love us, lift us up when we need it, pray for us...it's a blessing. I'm hopeful for 2019. The healing has been happening and I'm ready to look forward to the gifts that a new year will bring.

Link up with us and share what's been hap-"pinning" with you!