2016 Summer Fall Winter Highlights

I'm baaaaack.
To avoid creating 72 blog posts, I am going to try to gather a bunch of highlights into one post.
There were a few huge trips that happened last year that I will post separately, but to get us caught up to 2017- a highlight post seems nice. Feel free to pass on this one, folks.

PATHWAY. I was attending Utah Valley University online but eventually found out that I could not graduate online. My next step was transferring to BYU-Idaho. In order to do this I had to complete the Pathway program which took a year. This is a 3 course program that is done online. Every Thursday I had to drive up to Tampa to for a meeting. That was the closest site to me at the time (we won't even talk about them now having the Pathway program in my area. Grr).

I didn't think the graduation ceremony that they held was going to be a big deal. However, when I got there everyone's extended family was there cheering them on. Shaun felt bad he didn't come and was hanging a celebration for me when I walked in the door. 

Yes that is a toilet paper banner! In true Wait family fashion.

SQUARE ONE IMPROV. Square One Improv really took off in 2016. I still have only missed maybe 3 or 4 shows of SJ's since I met him. I love seeing him up there doing what he loves. This kid sweats talent, it's insane.

A lot of temple trips seeking strength and peace with the trials that came with 2016

A special visit from our favorite sister missionary who is now a cute wife.

DIXIE CHICKS. Jenelle, Jenny, and I bonded over our past diehard love for The Dixie Chicks. When we heard they were coming to Tampa we haaad to go. It was a hilarious concert where we all felt like 16. I love feeling like 16 every once in a while. 

THE BEAST! SJ was a saint and hung this canned light chandelier. Somehow I forgot that we have 57 ft ceilings and it was impossible. After 3 days and one balancing magic trick later, it's up and loved. We are trying to ignore the fact that he has to take it down this fall and put it up again in the new house...

A grainy pic at Jerry Seinfeld. SJ's comedic role model has always been Seinfeld and to see him live was on his bucket list. I was watching Shaun 3/4 of the time because of his constant belly laughs. He was in a different world for an hour or two. 

DISNEY TRIPS. Somehow I was able to convince Shaun that we needed to renew our Disney passes another year. Many fun trips were had. Going up with friends, by ourselves, and for Walt's birthday of course! We have that park down pat. Excited to go a few more times before September. 

We jumped on this tram back to the car. The entire tram was completely empty and this family of 3 came and sat right next to us. Not only right next to us, but sandwiched us. It was so strange and I was so confused. Shaun then said loudly to them "so where are we going for dinner?" They didn't speak english though...

SUNSETS. So many sunsets in 2016. My friends make fun of me because sunsets are a spiritual experience for me. I feel so in touch with my creator and really am able to recognize the beauty that I have in my life. I usually will drop everything to go watch a sunset. 

Gilmore Girls revival party with a bunch of junk food in true Rory Gilmore fashion

Sometimes we like our friend's kids more than our friends.
Science experiments with Uncle Shaun.

Matchy-match

 WEDDING GAMES. When we lived in Georgia, Shaun had some amazing co-workers. We would hang out after work and they would tell us we were too young to be married. They all had plans to never get married. Fast forward just a few years and we were attending Jordan's beautiful wedding in Orlando! I just loved the venue.

BEST MOTHER IN-LAW. You could say I fell in love with Shaun's mom before I even fell in love with him (haha!). She is sassy, hilarious, and a hard worker, especially on DIY projects. She planned a trip out here last fall because I said I wanted to redo my kitchen table. Seriously a saint.  

WORK RETREATS. Every night I give thanks for Shaun's job. It's such a blessing to us.

We had a lot of work retreats last year. Our favorite is usually the Marco Island one. They always make the cutest luau for dinner. We also loved feeling like we were on The Bachelor with a Catamaran date.

HELPING HANDS. Speaking of blessed, we were blessed to be spared from Hurricane Matthew last year. A few members of our ward helped with the cleanup in Northern Florida. It was humbling to meet the people we were helping. I was even trusted with the chainsaw!

The boys kept us entertained throughout the day. True friendship right there haha!

THANKSGIVING. I grew up doing a race the morning of the 4th of July and Thanksgiving. When I heard one of my good friends was doing a 5k, I made Shaun agree the night before. It may have interfered with our food prep (exhausted & out of shape), but I am hoping that he'll do it again this year. 

Shaun's job was the onions this year

Our spread

Thanksgiving dinner with our Florida family

Black Friday Shopping with the gals

Subbing early morning Seminary.
Apparently I enjoyed it too much because I just got called as a teacher

Primary Shenanigans 

HUGE CELEBRATION. Taco Bell had just opened at Gulf Coast

Shaun and I had the privilege of participating in a musical presentation put on for people in our community. We loved helping people see the true meaning of this Christmas season through music and scripture.

We were so grateful and touched by our friends who took the time out of their Saturday to come and listen. 

Tree Lighting at Coconut Point Mall

I remember thinking that this was one of my favorite girls nights in a long time.
Comfy clothes, treats, games & lots of laughter

Jones' throw a great Christmas party! 

We really tried for an award this year.
There was just too much competition out there! 

 And to close the year off, we started a caroling tradition that I hope we'll be able to keep up. Music is so important to me and Shaun. It is an instant way to fill others with love & especially the spirit of Christmas. It was a special night remembering our Savior.