Hello 2014!

Well, it has been a really long time since my last blog post and it's safe to say that the end of 2013 was busy for the Benefields! Jackson started a new job with castle mortgage, I am settling into my job as a judicial clerk, and Rosie started going to daycare once a week since she has two working parents now. We traveled to Destin for Thanksgiving and spent time with my family. Then Christmas and Christmas eve we were in Ozark with the Benefields. Jackson, Rosie, and I had our Christmas together the Saturday before Christmas even though I was under the weather (worst cold EVER!) and had so much fun watching each other open gifts. I gave Jackson a gun and he got me way too many gifts to count. Favorites include, earrings, a cooking class, and a new lens for my camera. He always does way too much. These are a few pics from that Saturday.

Ozark was a fun-filled celebration as well. Jackson is one of 5 kids so it is always a party! We love any chance to see this guy! (Jackson's Grandadddy Gene)

Modeling her gifts

Jackson and I woke up bright and early the day after Christmas to head back to work. It was a bummer, but worth it the next day when we flew down to this...

Ahh Dominican Republic! You are truly amazing! My parents, Carter, and Lynlee were along with us and we rung in the new year in true Dominican style. For a family that isn't very accustomed to relaxing, this was just what everybody needed to feel refreshed for 2014. I'll be honest, I could get used to high 82 low 78 pretty quickly. 

Beachin' it

Cutest couple on the beach

Monkey!

Once we got back to reality (a very COLD reality), we celebrated Jackson turning 28. His birthday is the 5th, which was a Sunday so we went to Gianmarco's on Saturday to celebrate. I had the crazy realization that this is his 5th birthday we've celebrated together and that he was 23 when we met. I cannot even process that information. I do know that I am very blessed to call him my husband, though. 

One of our joint resolutions for 2014 is to get our cooking routine figured out now that we are both working. We've been very lax about cooking lately. To kick it off right we went to the cooking class Jackson got me on Friday. It was at Sur la Table and we cooked a tuscan feast of white bean soup, pork tenderloin, broccoli rabe, and apple crostada. It was so much fun and delicious. I highly recommend going and would definitely do it again! We both said it reaffirmed our faith in our cooking skills though. Turns out, we aren't too bad in the kitchen.

I'm going to try to keep the blog updated more regularly this year. We shall see how long that lasts!