Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012

{Photo via Flickr}

I know, I’m a few days past the new year. But I was driving many hours with two little kids and then my husband had surgery and now my eyes are about to close……what?! I’m up!

New Years Eve weekend was a fun one for my little family, as we packed up the whole crew and went on a roadtrip to Boulder, Colorado to celebrate the many birthdays we have in the next few months. While we were there we took Lucy ice skating for the first time! We also saw movies, ate cake and drank a bucket or two of wine. I even carried and tapped a keg with my brother-in-law (to be), the first time since I was about 20! The family kept joking about how they have finally discovered my talent.

2011 was an incredible year for me, filled with mostly highs, with a few lows sprinkled in to make things interesting. We started off in a sleepy haze, still getting used to Tate joining our family. I spent most of my early days of 2011 tucked into my bed surrounded by babies and children and guests. Lucy cut her own hair and I cried because I was a hormonal mess. Then I cried because my website was down for weeks.

Later Justin Bieber almost killed me and Lucy joined a soccer team called the Beaver Girls. Both of these things are true. My wonderful friends threw me a sip and see baby shower. I went back to work after a blissful maternity leave and missed napping almost more than I missed Tate (I said ALMOST!). I made “to do” lists and shared my working mom must haves.

In late spring we surprised Lucy with a trip to Disney World for her birthday and she danced in her first real recital. Lulu turned five and Tate grew and grew and grew. I took my annual sabbatical from the Internet, despite grumbles from my adoring fans.

Lucy and I went shopping for school supplies and ended up making an advertisement for Target. We said goodbye to my favorite person ever, our summer nanny. I became a lunch box packing MACHINE and turned 29-years-old.

I wrote about beauty and in turn was quoted by one of my blogging idols. I was asked to curate a slideshow for Kirtsy featuring fall weddings. I decided to run ads on this site, after a four year hiatus. I started riding horses again. I dressed my kids up as Star Wars characters for Halloween.

I ran my first race, a 5K with my dad. My BFF, Abbie, wrote candidly about the Penn State scandal and the real issues behind the abuse of children. We took some incredible family photos and spent Thanksgiving in Rigby, Idaho, where I met the real life Ranger Joe from Full House.

I shared my holiday gift guide and wasted time on Pinterest. We visited the Christmas House (twice). Tate turned one and Trent turned 30. I petted a stuffed bear wearing a sombrero at a holiday party. We rolled credits on 2011.