MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE HILLS!

“Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for his miraculous power constantly energizes you.” Ephesians 3:20 (TPT)

I love looking back on our Christmas card blogs. If you’re interested, you can read our digital Christmas cards from the last few years at the links below. We’re praying for so many blessings to pour out over you and your family in 2022 and that the Lord would do more than you could possibly ask, think, or imagine!

2020 Christmas Card: Click HERE
2019 Christmas Card: Click HERE
2018 Christmas Card: Click HERE
2017 Christmas Card: Click HERE
2016 Christmas Card: Click HERE

our favorite moments from 2021

Since our last Christmas card ended at Thanksgiving last year, I thought we’d throw in a few pics of 2020 Christmas!
12.24.20 Brian’s Christmas Eve ride. He makes a pretty cute polar bear.

…and after of having a Christmas tree in your bedroom!

12.25.21 A quick game of cards before Christmas breakfast

12.29.20 After not seeing our girl in person for 11 months, we finally drove down to see her in December 2020! We had one-day visits in December, January, and February before it was safe for us to have her back at our house (once we were fully vaccinated.)

1.6.21 We spent many, many hours in our music room this year. It’s such a special place in our home.

1.9.21 We celebrated with family on the lawn to make sure we were safe, but also together! And yes, I had three pieces of cake.

1.23.21 Our second one-day visit with our girl. I’ll never forget these days.

2.5.21 Julie had her first COVID shot in downtown Dallas. She stood in line for 4+ hours and was the last person they let through the line before running out of vaccines for the day.

2.14.21 A magical Valentine’s snow that turned very dark very quickly.

2.15-19.21 Our sweet friends invited us (and our two hairy dogs) into their guest room when we had no power, no heat, no food, and a lot of fear for 4 days in February. We played games over Zoom since none of us were fully vaccinated yet. We are so grateful for our people!

2.19.21 Our first meal back in our home after the winter storm was a bowl of cereal. It is hard to describe what 37 degrees feels like in your own home and seeing the water frozen in your toilet. After four long days, we were finally able to turn our heater back on and head home.

2.27.21 Our third one-day visit. She drove us around the countryside in the buggy.

3.13.21 We were slowly able to have friends over again…outside, of course. Our pups were almost more excited than we were to have friends over again!

3.16.21 Our first girls’ night in a long time!

3.8.21 Taking family pics of my work bestie and her sweet kiddos!

3.25.21 On March 25th, we got a lot in Oak Point, Texas to build a home. We were excited and things were moving quickly. Sadly, we had to retract the lot a few weeks later when we sensed the Lord calling us to press pause and wait. And when two weeks later they said the price was going to be about $100,000 more than we were quoted.

3.28.21 Our first visit with our girl in 2021 back at home!

4.17.21 My beautiful best friend about 8 months pregnant with my new best friend.

4.25.21 After a lot of prayer (and a few tears), we decided to sell #thehillsmobile. This was our last picture with our teardrop trailer!

We shared five and a half years of epic road trips with this little guy, but it was the right time to sell it.

4.25.21 We convinced the sweet lady who bought it from us to take a selfie with us. She was so kind and excited to make it her own, so that made it easier to say goodbye. :)

4.30.21 Downtown Carrollton with our girl.

5.15.21 This is one of the rare times on this bikepacking ride from Farmersville to Paris, TX that rabid country dogs were not chasing Brian.

5.20.21 The only pic we took on our date.

5.21.21 We spent a few lovely days at the historic Ashton Hotel in Fort Worth, Texas to celebrate our anniversary!

6.12.21 Laramie, WY. Brian and his younger brother. I’m so glad I live in a world where this photo exists.

6.13.21 We took a very special trip to Cheyenne, WY in June with Brian’s brother, his wife, and our two nephews. It was the best trip! Brian taught the boys how to fish and this photo was taken after my oldest nephew caught his first fish (a rainbow trout)!

6.13.21 One of my favorite moments from 2021. Drawing on the iPad with my youngest nephew with *this view*!

6.13.21 Always the funcle (the “fun uncle.”)

6.14.21 The next day we had an adventure day just with the two of us.

6.14.21 Brian’s top 3 favorites places: Snowy Range- still iced over (in June!)

6.16.21 Saying goodbye to Grandpa Force the morning we left Wyoming. And yes, Brian is 5’7”, so that makes Grandpa……….

6.19.21 My bestest friend had a baby boy on May 25th. This was actually Chey’s second time to see him since he was born!

6.20.21 All of our girls! Chey (14) with Lucy (9) and Dakota (5.)

7.1.21 The thing I forced Brian to do on the first day at his new job!

7.6.21 Brian’s mom had a special visit with Chey in July so we were able to meet up with them a few times that week

7.8.21 Brunch with my mother-in-law and this girl

8.22.21 My work bestie let me steal her daughter for the day!

8.22.21 We had a fancy brunch and then saw Wicked the Musical!

9.14.21 My sweetest Canadian friend, Katie, came to visit me!

9.21.21 One of many pics with my best friend!

10.2.21 I got into grad school and celebrated with some friends and a cereal and PJ’s party!

10.4.21 My first Jesus retreat in about a year and a half - Getaway Dallas in LaRue, TX

10.7.21 I celebrated 17 months of my business in October!

10.17.21 Another bikepacking trip for Brian with his friend Ben (Weatherford, TX to Mineral Wells State Park)

10.23.21 New Braunfels visit with my baby brother

11.7.21 We bought LAND! I’ll be blogging the whole story here soon. Subscribe **HERE** if you don’t want to miss the post!

11.13.21 Saturday routine pt. 1: Epic Gelato

11.13.21 Saturday routine pt. 2: Weekly massages

11.14.21 Brian and I at my nephew’s 8th birthday party - an epic Nerf war!

11.18.21 Hamilton in Dallas with my friend Alyssa!

11.21.21 Our November visit with our girl

11.25.21 Thanksgiving Day. So much to be thankful for this year.

11.26.21 Our 8th Christmas setup day with our girl. It was seriously the best day!

That’s about it, friends! Brian and I love each and every one of you very much. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!