Highlights of 2015

I may have dropped the ball on blogging this year, but I am not going to miss highlighting our 2015 and getting one last post in before the new year. 

This year brought a lot of changes for us. We started the year in Korea finishing up our teaching contracts and soaking up our last few months before leaving for the states. 

We went around Seoul. Took in a baseball game, ate at our favorite places, and went to Pyeongchang- the host of the 2020 Winter Olympics. It was great to take a few days before our long flight back for a nice relaxing trip by ourselves. It was such a quite town and just what we needed. 

In February, we took an 8 day trip to Thailand. This would be the last international trip for awhile, and for the most part we enjoyed every minute of it. We had so many adventures and I can't wait to finish blogging about it. 

In May, we moved back to the states and with that we had a nice long summer vacation seeing our family. We had so many nice adventures-- here are some of our pictures to hold you over until I catch up. 

The first stop back in the states was to Orlando to visit Universal Studios and of course the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It was just as amazing as you would think. Matt and I had a blast with my little siblings, Jud and Olivia, and my cousin, Jessie. 

May also brought a mini-family reunion in St. Augustine, and watching two of my cousins graduate high school. 

{Mmmmm Butterbeer}

After my birthday, ekk 27!, we headed out West. Our first stop was California to see my dad and his wife. We had adventures in Lake Tahoe, Matt picked up fly fishing, and we took a took to Disneyland. 

We also got to visit Devils Postpile. Matt and my dad went fishing and I had fun at the camp sight and took a mini hike. 

Matt and I then took a road trip to Idaho to see his parents. We were able to see Jackson Hole, WY, the Grand Tetons, and Yellowstone. 

Idaho was filled with family reunions both on my side and Matt's. 

Three generations worked and finished this quilt. Matt and I love it. 

Disneyland was amazing. We were there for the 60th anniversary, and I loved every minute of it. 

We went camping a few times this summer, and I loved it. Any place with Matt is good for me. 

When the summer ended, I started graduate school at Georgia State. And a whole new adventure started. We haven't had too many traveling adventures, but the end of the year still brought a lot of change. 

We actually had all six siblings in one place and took some squinty eyed pictures. 

On Thanksgiving this year, I ran my first and maybe last half marathon! 

And Matt and I celebrated five years of marriage! 

 And those were the highlights of our 2015! 

Cheers to you and yours!

Have a happy new years. 

Matt's 28th Birthday and Pie Palooza

I know I said I wanted to get back on the blogging wagon, and I have to admit I've been a little overwhelmed. There is so much I have to share with y'all that I got stuck on where to start. 

But today, as I was going through our pictures, I decided to talk about Matt's amazing birthday party from this past July. 

This was Matt's first birthday back in the states and the first one with his family in a long time, so I knew I wanted to do something big. Since Matt loves pie, I decided have a pie themed party. 

We opted for 28 pies on the table verses 28 types of pie. We did it this way so there would be a variety in the shapes and sizes of the pies. 

Matt was very picky with the pies he wanted to include in his party. He decided on the following: Apple, Oreo, Peach Crumble, Lemon Merengue, Strawberry, Banana Cream, Grasshopper, S'more, Chocolate, Chocolate Coconut,  Key Lime, and Chocolate Peanut Butter. 

I was responsible for all the pudding based ones and his mom did the fruit pies. Some were regular pie size, mini pies, pies in a cup, or two bite pies. I love the way the table turned out and I think the variety was awesome. The different size pies allowed us to not be too overwhelmed with pie leftovers, which was great. 

{Can you see the faint 28 in the pie crust} 

For lunch, we served pizza (you know like pizza pie), and we had Mexican glass bottle coke and IBC root beer. We had a lot of Matt's Idaho family over at Matt's parent's house, and it was great to see them all. Matt had a good visit with his family, most of whom he hadn't seen in years. 

I tried all of the pies, except the coconut one-- cause gross, but I was happy with all of them. But I did realize I am more of a pudding pie person, not a fruit pie person-- and Matt's the opposite. 

The Bowen children really love their sweets, and I love spoiling them and getting them sugar high. 

My grandpa and his girlfriend, Rena, were able to come over from Boise for the party. 

Eli, our nephew, really fell in love with the root beer. 

Obachan, Matt's grandmother, was able to make a visit from Hawaii to see us while we were in town. It was great to see her, and we can't wait to go to Hawaii and visit her soon. 

The Ho and Bowen Family. We finally got an updated family picture, although I'm sure we will need a new one soon as this family seems to always be growing! 

I think Matt had a great time at his party. The food was good and the company was even better!