January - Another year means another anniversary for Garrett and I! And this year was lucky #13! This month we were able to cash in our Z88.3 Crayola Experience tickets with the girls. We also cashed in our Christmas present from Nana and Papi, incredible seats at the circus!
February - Scarlett and Grace (mostly Scarlett) decided to start working hard to pay part of their way to Youth Worlds. They made LOTS of earrings and bracelets and the NBHA local show was their first experience at the selling business, as a portion of their proceeds went back to the local district. If you are in the market for a nice bracelet or earrings, I know a girl. The Father-Daughter dance is such a wonderful event that both girls (and Dad) look forward to each year and this year was no exception! A big event this month was Grace having the opportunity to attend and witness the adoption of one of her sweet friends. The last big event of the month was our last "first haircut" appointment at Disney; this time for Shelby of course. Thank you mom and dad! We decided to check out a character breakfast and Papa's tombstone while there too. Unfortunately, Shelby got pretty sick and was not able to enjoy the day as much as her big sisters had.
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| Little entrepreneurs |
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| Fresh cuts and a first cut for Shelby |
March - We kicked this month off with the annual Florida Lineman Rodeo; one of my favorite yearly events. Grateful to have Granny, Nana, and one of the girls' sweet friends join us this year too! March was also our annual girls getaway weekend and this time we Surprised the girls and included them. We had a fun staycation at Summer Bay Resort where the girls got to experience shuffleboard, zipline, arcade, mini-golf, and water park fun! This month was my chance to chaperone a field trip to St. Augustine since Garrett got to go with Grace. Loved spending that time with my girl like my mama did with me many years ago.
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| 2024 FL Lineman Rodeo |
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| Girls Weekend Fun |
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| St. Augustine |
April - This month we took Papa V. out to lunch for his birthday; Happy 95th birthday to Papa!! This month we also experienced another solar eclipse; Shelby and cousin Maverick's first (well Shelby somewhat experienced it, haha). Grace had fun at the 2024 Enlighten Girls weekend with one of her friends. Also this month, Grace was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society, AND was selected to read her essay for entry to the entire group of inductees and their families. Way to go, Grace! Grace also turned 12 this month; can you believe it? We certainly cannot! Scarlett signed up for some soccer lessons with the city and is loving it! We wrapped up the month with the Southeastern Youth Championships. This is always one of the girls' favorite events of the year because they get to spend it, not only riding, but also camping with friends. The last two pictures of Shelby give you a little glimpse of the before and after... tough life, LOL.
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| Enlighten Girls Weekend |
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Grace and two of her friends at the NJHS banquet
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| Unadilla camp life |
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| Living their best lives |
May - April showers bring May flowers, but this year May also had its share of showers and we are thinking that maybe our girls' girls (horses) love the rain. They did phenomenal this month in a torrential downpour. This month Scarlett got to go to Lovely Jr again and this year, her two best friends joined her. She was over the moon excited! They even coordinated at school what to wear, so they could match; I love their friendship so much! This month we also celebrated both Grace & Scarlett's birthdays because our April and our July is always so very busy. Happy Birthday, Grace (belated) and Scarlett (early)!! Thank you to each of their sweet friends (and their families) for loving our girls like you do. May also means end of another school year and thus the end of year awards banquet.
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| Lovely Jr. with Friends |
June - It's officially summertime!! And, we know that means summer camp!! This year both girls did a full week each and made some new friends, as well as reunited with some previous camp friends. One of my favorite things about them doing different camps is each of them sending mail to one another. What's great is that they each get genuinely so excited about picking something for her sister and also picking a date to send it, in hopes that she has to do something crazy for it. And, this year, Grace did have to! Just ask her for that story... which involved flour, sauce, and lots of stickiness. Also this month, Grace got to participate on her indoor club National team! The highlight of the tournament was her team being down in a third and final set (9-14) with Grace up to serve and bringing home the win (16-14)! She also got the opportunity to play libero for the national team. While on the team she got to run into friends too, which made for even more fun at the tournaments.
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| 2024 13U National Team |
July - Happy Independence Day and Happy Birthday to Scarlett! I cannot believe that our little bit, the cheese in the middle, is officially in the double digits. As always, her birthday is celebrated away at Youth World. She and her sister both had an incredible year this year by each running their fastest times to date. Also, FL finally came home with the Spirit Parade win! Way to go Melissa and Team FL!! This year's theme was Christmas in July. Grace won in the art contest this year for her age group with a beautifully designed ornament.
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| Christmas in July at Worlds |
August - It's time for yet another school year and we now have a 5th and a 7th grader. For dad's birthday this year, I wanted to take him to do something fun that I know he loves and also make it a fun date night out for Garrett and I. So, we did an escape room and guess what?! We escaped with time to spare (despite me wanting to get clues every 15 minutes; thank you Garrett for not allowing me). Happy Birthday, Daddy! August also means start of middle school volleyball and this year Garrett is coach! Even more exciting is that Scarlett made the team as a 5th grader (following in big sisters steps). We also decided to forgo indoor club this year and try to squeeze in more beach volleyball, which has been a ton of fun!
September - Time for the annual Sheppard Family Reunion, which is another annual tradition and favorite of mine. We didn't get to go last year due to hurricane impact, so we were excited this year for it! This month I was also fortunate enough to get to travel to Cincinnati for a work trip, which included a fun team building night at the Braves vs. Reds game. Fun fact: The Reds were the first professional baseball team, which then formed the Braves. I got to see both play one another in the birthplace of Professional Baseball!!
October - Annual Mother-Daughter retreat time. This year Grace was unable to join, but Scarlett, my mom, and I still enjoyed every second and hope to have Grace back with us next year for year number 8. This month the bigs got to go shrimping with Dad, Gigi, and Papa. They had so much fun fishing and shrimping from Dusk to Dawn. Scarlett even caught a little seahorse! October also means Halloween and spooky things. Grace has been asking for the last two years to go to a haunted house and we decided this was the year. For costumes this year, our girls were the Powerpuff Girls: Bubbles (the joy and laughter: Shelby), Buttercup (the toughest fighter: Scarlett), and Blossom (the commander and the leader: Grace).
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| Scream Park with my baby girl |
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| Powerpuff Girls for Halloween |
November - The month of Thanksgiving! This month, Scarlett started her first season of soccer with the local rec league and she had a Scarlett best day ever by scoring her first goal. So, we will see if soccer or volleyball is her calling. This girl would do it all if she could. For Thanksgiving day, we spent some wonderful time with the Myers family and enjoyed some yummy food together. This year we went over to Papa's a day early so Grace could help bake. She learned a lot and had so much fun! We also had a blast just catching up and spending time with family. Black Friday always means Santa visiting and Christmas tree cutting. We found a beautiful tree this year; next year will be a Charlie Brown tree. Oh and did I mention that Shelby turned 3 this month?! Time just needs to stop. I cannot believe that she is already 3 years old.
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| All the Myers' |
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| Favorite Jr.s with Papa |
December - As we wrap up yet another year, I look back at all the fond memories made and look forward to those still to come. For my 40th birthday this year, all I wanted was to do another family cruise since we have not been since pre-pandemic. We could not go as originally planned in October (my birthday month) due to volleyball and hurricanes, but we were able to go this month which was absolutely magical! We are already looking forward to our next one. I cherish these moments together as a family more than anything and as we go into next year, our family's wish for you is that you cherish the time and making memories with those that you love and that love you!
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| Bon Voyage |
A very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you, from us!
Crystal, Garrett, Grace, Scarlett, and Shelby
