Fun in the New Year

The first month of our new year in 2017 was a little slow after the excitement of our Carnival cruise. But we didn't let that slow us down too much. Here's a recap of some fun for the Courtright family in the first couple of months of the new year.

Fresh back from our cruise, Kaitlynn insisted we make a special visit to the American Girl store so she could check out the 2017 American Girl of the Year, Gabriela!

Kaitlynn had been saving her money for months in anticipation of a new AG doll. She was so excited to be one of the first to purchase the new Gabriela doll in the new year.

In January, Katy experienced a HARD freeze for several days -- not a normal occurrence for us -- and we lost almost our entire yard full of tropical plants and trees. Our grapefruit tree went from being so thick that you couldn't even see the fruit through all the leaves, to completely barren with no leaves at all. Hopefully it'll come back this year!

In January, the kids celebrated their 100th day of school. Kaitlynn wore her same shirt from kindergarten with 100 buttons representing the 100 days of school. Crazy that she can still wear it in 2nd grade!

Also in January, Jeff was so excited that Collin was able to join him for a Houston Texans game at home before Collin returned to North Dakota for work. Collin felt right at home when we had a cold snap, making it the coldest game of the year. Side note: despite regularly working outside in the dead of winter in North Dakota, Collin insists that the Houston cold snaps feel so much colder to him because of the higher humidity here. Crazy, right?




Collin and Jeff enjoying some true (cold!) football weather. Check out all those layers!

The tailgating crew all decked out for the winter game.

A sunny day but super cold!

In early February, Jeff made his annual Super Bowl weekend guys' trip to Fraser, Colorado for a weekend of snow skiing and football. He always has the BEST time hanging with his friends and skiing in Winter Park. And this year, he even managed to return home without a major injury, ha!

Group pic of Jeff with his buddies on the slopes.

Ski lift selfie. I always love getting these photos and seeing what an awesome time they are having!

Jeff and his guys settling in for the Big Game.

And back home in Katy, the kids and I attended a super fun party at the home of our awesome friends and neighbors, the Hrochs. So much food and such great friends!

Later in February, Kaitlynn was delighted when the day she'd been anxiously waiting for finally arrived -- Watch Dog Dad day! Each year, she looks SO forward to having her Sweet Daddy spend the day with her at school. Having time together with him in class, during lunch, and at recess always gives her the best memories!

Kaitlynn with her Sweet Watch Dog Daddy!

Lunch time selfie with shared hair accessories, ha!

On another day, I was able to visit Kaitlynn's classroom to read and have lunch with my girl. Here she is with one of her sweetest friends, Evan.

Another class friend, Sophia. What sweet friendships Kaitlynn is blessed with!