reflecting on 2011

WOW!!! What a year!

As I reflect on 2011 how can we not be thankful for each and every beautiful day we are given a chance to be a part of?


January:
Welcome 2011!

The year was kicked off with Ragan's first basketball season, a new adventure for all of us. We also look forward to January b/c it kicks off LSU girls' gymnastic season....fun family time we love spending together. We find as many ways we can to stay warm inside usually with a toasty fire, hot chocolate and fuzzy blankets. February:

The month of love. We celebrate {{Heart}} day with many little traditions, one being streamers we have to walk through in the hall way (shown in picture) March:
William turns FIVE!
He begins telling us "I FIVE!"and very proudly showing us five fingers. April:
The weather begins to warm up and John plants his garden. William is nominated student of the month, a super exciting moment for us all! DSAGNO has their spring picnic where we visit with many friends as well as making new ones. All four kids begin ball ....William T-ball for the first time and is the cutest thing I must add and the girls softball.

May:
One month we look forward to is May. We say good bye to structure, waking up early, lunches, and school work. End of the year parties and programs are a sure promise summer is around the corner. June:
Carefree days of summer are here. Family time. staying up late. sleeping in. friends. sleepovers. time at the river.
Ragan's softball team wins the championship as does William's (the month before) . I proudly become a Partners in Policy making graduate! C and B participate in the Girl Scout bridging ceremony and the garden begin producing obscene amounts of food. July:

July is packed with birthdays: Meghan 3rd, John 12th and Brooke 30th!

The Fourth is celebrated with a visit from Aunt Brittany and Uncle Brian, we watch fireworks with them and cousin Brittany on the lakefront with gorgeous weather. John surprised me with an amazing weekend getaway to visit plantations, we spend the night in one of the most beautiful plantations, take strolls around the ground and sip mint juleps (my new fave drink). As the canning begins to get out of control I wonder if we can live off of pickles and salsa alone:)August:

As summer comes to an end we squeeze in a fun vacation to Panama Beach City, Florida! We go to Gulf Word, Wonder Works, play putt putt golf and Ragan and John see a fabulous magician while the other kids and I meet up with our blogging friend and her family. In August we also celebrate mine and Catherine's birthday only one day apart. School begins Ragan is in 6th, Catherin 4th, Brooke 2nd and William kindergarten! Everyone has great teachers and we are liking school.

September:

William's heart day is never missed as we are always thankful for a successful heart repair, this year we celebrate five years!! Beautiful weather prompts us to spend lots of family time outside at the park and festivals.

October:

A month full of awareness!!!

Breast cancer awareness and Down syndrome awareness

We attend walks for both and are thankful our friend K is kicking some cancer butt. We are so blessed to have such amazing friends who support us and attend the annual Buddy Walk each year.November:

November was kicked off with a trip to Destin with six other families. This trip was the most fun we have had in a long time, everyone got along great and the mommas had a blast to boot. As we reflect upon what we are thankful for we prepare for the holiday season. Of course we can't forget hunting season has begun and Ragan and Catherine take turns going with Daddy.December:

Christmas parties, homemade, ornaments, hot chocolate, decorating, caroling, family, Christmas lights, celebrating our Savior's birth.

We enjoyed our Christmas with Uncle Brian and Aunt Brittany this year, which is always a little treat for us all.

Ragan celebrated her 12th birthday on the 29th.

This year all of the children on the Angel tree at Reece's Rainbow reached the $1000 goal!!