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I'm Shay! I’m a cookbook author, lifestyle blogger, travel agency owner, wife and mama who loves making every day special for my family.

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Mix & Match Mama

Everyday Life ·

2017 in Review


It’s hard to believe that today is my annual year in review.  How is 2017 almost over?  When I think back on this year, I have a lot of mixed emotions.  This was our first full year as a family of six…and we LOVED it.  It was also the year that will always be marked as the one when Manda died.  This year was just different, hard, and a blessing at the same time.  It was most definitely a year of growing, learning and relying on the Lord even more than normal.  I always get a little melancholy wrapping up one year and beginning the next…because you just don’t know what’s in front of you.  Here’s what I do know.  I am thankful each and every day for my family, my friends, my faith, my health and for you guys.  I do not take this relationship here lightly.  You ladies bless me more than I could ever explain.  You love me, you love my kids, you pray for us, you encourage and support us too.  From the bottom of my heart, thank you.  This year was my 10th year as a blogger and none of it would be the same without YOU.  Thank you.

Okay, I’m taking a few days off to spend time with my family.  You can keep up with us on Instagram and Facebook as we head out on our next adventure.  I’ll be back here in blog world at the beginning of 2018.  Until then, sending you my love this holiday season.

If you want to see my years in review from the past, click the dates below:
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008

Here’s a recap of 2017…

JANUARY

We kicked off our year with Ashby’s second Gotcha Day!  January 4 will always be such a special day for our family because that’s when we got our girl!  We celebrated big that day!

Later on that month, Andrew and I headed to Park City, UT with our besties and had such an amazing trip!  The boys skied/snow boarded and the girls spa-ed 😉 .

And then on the 18th, this guy turned seven.  How is that even possible?!

FEBRUARY

We enjoyed many quiet and cozy days at home in February.

But what I will always think about when I remember February 2017 is that Manda went home to be with Jesus.  One day, we’ll be together again.  Love this sweet friend of mine so much and miss her every single day.

MARCH

The Shull six took one of our very best trips EVER to Washington D.C. at the beginning of March.  We had the BEST time (complete with private tour of the West Wing and Oval Office!).  D.C. was an amazing city to take our family!

And on the 13th, we celebrated 13 years of marriage.  Love this guy so much!

Ashby and I headed to Boston to visit their Vascular Anomalies Clinic…

…and then the big kids and I headed to LA to cook on Home & Family.

APRIL

We celebrated our first Easter as a family of six!

And spent a lot of time planning our fun warm weather activities!

MAY

We kicked off pool season at our house!  It was Madeley’s first summer, and she LOVED it!

These two took swimming lessons 🙂 .

I enjoyed every minute of my Skip Day with both Kensington…

…and Smith 🙂 .

We wrapped up the month by welcoming the Slaughters home from China with sweet Britt…and then I quickly boarded a flight…

…and met my parents in Boston to see the Sox play 🙂 .

 

JUNE

On the 9th, this girl turned FIVE!  We celebrated with a princess party!

And then we left for Alaska with my entire family!  Eighteen people on one Alaskan cruise.  It was such a fun trip!!

We wrapped up June with a trip to NYC to cook on Today with Hoda, Kathie Lee and Kensington!  My sweet mother-in-law came along and we had such a fun girls trip!

JULY

We kicked off the month with one of our favorite traditions…the July 4th parade in McKinney!  We LOVE this day!!  It’s filled with so many fun things to do.

And then Andrew and I headed to the Hamptons for some rest and relaxation…and tons of good food!

AUGUST

Erika did a little recon work in Mexico checking out resorts for our travel agency at the very beginning of August.

Those darn Yankee fans at my house flew to New York to see a game 😉 .

We had THE BEST time at the JW Marriott in San Antonio with the Slaughters!!  It was seriously SO MUCH FUN!

And on the 28th, we said goodbye to summer and hello to school again.

SEPTEMBER

These two turkeys started school at the very beginning of September 🙂 .

On the 11th, we celebrated our first Gotcha Day with Madeley!  One full year with this precious girl!!

And on the 15th, this girl turned nine.  NINE!  She is getting so old!!  Where did my baby go?

At the very end of the month, I spent a few days in Mexico (again) with my besties.  Love these girls so much!

OCTOBER

We kicked off October doing #allthingsfall!

Plus, my dad and I made a quick trip to Boston to see the Sox play their last game of the season.

And then we went to K-State to see a football game and spend the weekend.

The highlight of our month…strike that…our year, was getting little Frenchie Macaroon 🙂 .

On the 19th, this sweet girl turned THREE!

And we ended October with a BANG on Halloween!

NOVEMBER

November started with this sweet girl having her 10th procedure in 15 months.  She is our hero!!  She’s always so brave and strong.

We thoroughly enjoyed our Thanksgiving week…

…which ended with Home for the Holidays on our town square.

DECEMBER

We kicked off the last month of the year with these two cuties having their recital.

And then we proceeded to do as many holiday things as humanly possible 🙂 .

I say this every single year, but I mean it more than anything…the BEST days of my life are the boring old regular days we spend at home as a family of six.  I am so thankful for the fun opportunities and crazy adventures, but when I look back on my life, it’s those regular days at home that I cherish the most.

From my family to yours, we’re wishing you a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year.  May 2018 bring many blessings to you and yours.  I love you so much!  See you in January! xo

 

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Comments

  4. Kristen says

    Love following you and your family and reading all your inspirational posts! Can’t wait to see what 2018 brings you and your family!

  10. Kelly says

    Happy New Year, Shay! I hope you have a wonderful time with your sweet family during the Christmas break and can’t wait to see what your next adventure is 🙂

  11. Carly says

    I always look forward to this post Shay. Forces me to go back and realize what a blessed year it was. I am also looking forward to your year book review! Cheers to a healthy 2018!

  12. Rebecca @ Every Piece Fits says

    Such a blessed, fun filled, and LOVE filled year! I enjoyed seeing the recap. You were busy but fruitful and created so many wonderful memories. Happy New Year and may God continue to bless and protect your precious family.
    XO
    Rebecca @ EveryPieceFits.com

  14. Amy says

    What a year! I was reading back old year reviews, and in 2013 you talked about the Barcelona & Riviera Cruise and explained why you like “old people cruises.” Just thought it was funny because you said you would never find the Shulls aboard a Disney Cruise, yet you took one just a few years later. 🙂 Funny how things change. Here’s to a happy 2018! 🙂

  16. Remah Franco says

    Every time you do these reviews makes me realize how fast each year goes by! Crazy! Happy New Year Shay!!!

  17. Shelley says

    Wishing you and your family a blessed rest of the year and more blessings in 2018! My family of three will soon become a family of four with the pending adoption of our baby girl in 2018! Thank you for sharing your heart and family.

  18. Jocie says

    Just thought I would let you know that this Christmas I was gifted not one, not two, but THREE Mix and Match Mama Cookbooks!

  21. Emily says

    I found your blog a few months ago and enjoy reading every post! I have loved getting to know you and your family, especially your two adoption stories. I have always had a call in my heart for adoption and even though I am still years away from that point in my life, your stories have reaffirmed this calling. I wish you all the best in 2018 and can not wait to see what next year brings you all! God bless! XOXO

  22. Amy Rae says

    I love this post!

    One of my favorite top 10 memories of the year was getting to meet you in person at Go Wild! I was so ecstatic to meet my favorite blogger!!

    What a wonderful 2017 for you and your family! May 2018 be filled with love, joy, health, and happiness for you all!

  23. jayredsox says

    (May I write a future post for next year’s Year in Review?) My Dad and I went to Game 4 of the World Series to see the Sox sweep the Dodgers. (Insert photo of us and our heads exploding.).

  25. Angelique says

    Wow, what an amazing year for you and your family! You’re my favorite distraction from busy days and I just want to thank you for providing me with a few minutes of laughing, shopping ideas, cooking ideas, vacation ideas, and more. Thank you Shay for being you and sharing “you” to all of us! XO

    http://www.FOURPOINTSMOM.com

  32. Carla says

    Love your blog!!
    What is the name of your LV cross body bag? I can’t seem to find it online.

  33. Jenny says

    Love that picture of you and Ashby…..her sweet little hand on your face!!

    Thank you for sharing your precious family with all of us….Happy New Year!!

  35. Erin Port says

    Looks like you are having a blast on your trip! Happy Gotcha Day to Ashby tomorrow 🙂 What a great year full of fun and adventure you all had! xoxo ERIN