2011 was a good year ...truly it was. When I look back at all the things that happened with the the kids....all the growing up they did....it's enough to make tears well up...and for me to scream out loud....STOP GROWING UP! But it also fills me with pride and joy! So let's take a look back!
We started the year with one of my favorite memories of K-Kate and Jeremy...their first father daughter dance! It was melt my heart precious and I can't wait for them to go again!
Jeremy, Riggs and I did a 5 K together and I was really proud of that! It was such a good memory...because Riggs was proud of me and that felt so good!We said goodbye to Jeremy as he went to India for almost 2 weeks.....
We said goodbye to Sammy....but know she is running around in heaven!
While Jeremy frolicked in India....
I planted my self a garden and we enjoyed it so much...this year it will be bigger and better!
Sarah Kate graduated from preschool and said goodbye to Watkins!
We headed to Chicago for spring break with the Timmerings and had an absolute ball!
Riggs turned 9 and Rollins turned 7 and they had a big basketball party to celebrate!
On Mothers Day Riggs was baptized ......it was a day I will never forget...and the best mothers day gift I could have asked for....
Sydney came to spend the night with us all by herself...a big step....and we loved having her!
The beach refueled our souls as usual!The boys tried and loved swim team for the first time!
Riggs even won an award for trying so hard.....we spent countless fun times with the Timmerings!
Lila Ray turned 3!
Jeremy got one of his dream cars......
and we welcomed "the M" to the family......
Summer brought a fourth of July to remember....and although we did not know it at the time...our last one all together ...since the Staples' moved later in the year.....
It was epic that Riggs and Colin got in the same class.....and so did Rollins & Braden!
and although she went by herself SK became a Goshen Gator and can read any and everything now!
Coach Jeff came into our lives.....and what a blessing that has been!
Rollins finally lost his first tooth...the wait had been long!
Lila fell in love with her dance class.....the boys did two triathlons and rocked them both!
The news came to document our fist day of school!
Jeremy signed up for...... and completed the Ironman!
We put another cross country season under our belts....and for Rollins this was a first and he loved it!
Some races were sweeter than others but we all learned from every one!
The girls went to Taylor Swift...and at 3 Lila Ray attended her first concert and loved every second of it!
We had a Magical Disney vacation at fall break...memories I will treasure forever!SK was in her first play and had a speaking part too!
I realized that my bother Jason is permanently in my heart....forever and that my life is incomplete without him and his family.....Braden had another seizure and we healed and learned from that....we loved deeper and got closer...and we appreciate these two little boys and their carefree smiles so much every time we see them!
The tooth fairy also visited SK and she requested books....... and the tooth fairy brought them!
Riggs & Rollins went to Orlando to compete in a National XC meet and they were amazing!
SK turned 6!
We celebrated an amazing Christmas....a really, fun, sweet Christmas!
I said goodbye to my neighbor and friend Susan who moved to Texas....many tears were shed...I learned this....and took this to heart....on so many levels....and I am a better person for it for sure. I hope to continue to spend my precious time with the people I love and with the people who love me.....life is too short not to. Spend it with good people.....people with kind, loving hearts...people who fill you up with goodness!
So 2011 was busy...but also a wonderful year full of growth...and as always love! I can't wait to see what 2012 has in store for us!