2011 in Review

Compared to previous years, 2011 was pretty low-key. Unlike 2009 and 2010 we didn't move or have a baby. But that doesn't mean it was completely uneventful!

January of this year started out with a bang, and lots of snow..."Chaos" Thankfully, besides a little freak snow storm in October, we've been snow free this winter, so far!

In February Sophia turned nine months old and really got a taste for table food... "Sophia's Fist Spaghetti Dinner"  She also celebrated her very first Valentine's Day -"Happy Valentine's Day!"

March is, of course, one of my very favorite months! Usually in the South it marks the beginning of Spring, but here in Connecticut it's just another wintry month. Oh it's also my favorite because of my birthday, number 26 this year! - "Happy to You!"  Matthew's sister Angie also came to visit us in March, and we all took NYC by storm, or something like that! - "New York, New York"

In April we finally welcomed Spring as all the snow finally melted away. And we celebrated Easter! - "Easter 2011"   My April post would be incomplete without on of my all-time favorite blog posts - "Cracking Up"

May marked our very first birthday extravaganza: Elijah turned FIVE on the 11th and Sophia turned ONE on the 22nd. Boy were we sick of cake by the end of the month! "Party On!" and "Sophia's First Birthday Extravaganza!"   To add to the month of celebration, Sophia was also baptized on the 16th - "Sophia's Baptism"

After our busy birthday month June almost seems boring! By then Elijah had finished Kindergarten and Matthew finished his second year at Yale. We enjoyed some nice family time at the beach - "The Beach, a Pineapple and the Braves"

July was yet another hectic month, as we made our yearly trip down south to visit family. This time all four of us flew into Panama City Beach to spend a few days in Florida, soaking up the sun and spending time with my side of the family..."PCB!" A few days later we hopped in the car (Well, Mimu's car) and drove up to Georgia to see Matthew's family, we all stayed in a cabin in the mountains for a few day and basically had a blast! "From Byron, to Blue Ridge and Back Again" After that it was back to Florida once again. Matthew headed back to Connecticut while the kids and I stayed at my parent's for a few more days. Oh and Matthew and I celebrated our sixth wedding anniversary! "Six Years" Told you July was a busy month!

August was a little crazy too, now that I look back on it. Elijah started first grade and Matthew headed back to Yale for one of his busiest semester to date."First Day of School" Another first for everyone, Elijah started playing an organized sport, flag football no less! It was a lot of fun for everyone! "Elijah's First Football Game" He was their star snapper all season long! We also took the opportunity to see a little more of Connecticut and visited Mystic Seaport one sunny Saturday..."Mystic Seaport"

September was another quiet month, not much exciting happened. Oh except Sophia developing multiple personalities! "Batgirl!" and "Darth Soapy"  If you notice, what I've noticed looking back on these posts this is really when her transformation from baby to toddler really takes place!

October is always one of my very favorite months in Connecticut, we usually have such beautiful fall colors here. This fall was a little disappointing though. Because the weather was so warm the leaves never really changed colors, they all just eventually died and fell off. We had a very fun-filled visit from the Hoppers early in the month - "The Hoppers, NYC and Pumpkin Patch Weekend!" And Halloween! "Happy Halloween!"

Wow, I'm up to November already!? Let's see, what exciting things happened in November? Of course, how could I forget, we had our amazing family pictures taken! I still need to order my enlargements of these! "Family Pictures" We celebrated Thanksgiving, just barely having recovered from a round of bad colds. "Thanksgiving 2011" And Sophia turned eighteen months! "Sophia at Eighteen Months"

And now for December! Matthew turned the big 3-0! "Matthew's Birthday!" And we had lots of Christmas festivities... "Decking the Halls" And of course, we celebrated Christmas! "The Christmas Post" 

So, not our busiest year, but not totally boring either! We all accomplished a lot, too. Matthew did so well in school this year, getting his best grades to date! I finished writing and editing my first novel. Elijah went from reading a few words to reading whiz. And Sophia, she officially transformed from a baby into a walking, talking toddler! I can't wait to see what happens in 2012 and I know no matter what, that it will be a great year!

Happy New Year!