Sweet Endings & New Beginnings

Good Bye 2011

I must say you were pretty good to me this year.

It was a busy year...

FILLED WITH FAMILY
 (near and far)

September 2011...our Family (Dogs included)

April Family Picture... once again Dogs included

September Long Weekend trip to Calaway Park with my sister-in-law Jenna and her husband Lanny...FUN FUN FUN

A winter day of fun with Colton, April and Maddy

Mog and Baby J

Grandma Love

Jordyn playing with cousins Shelby and Kayla

Football @ McMahon Stadium with Grandad...one of my many favorite pics from 2011

Snuggles with Nanny, xo

Colton with Uncle Luke and Chase'r

Aunty Sarah July 2011

Happy Birthday Grandpa

Happy Birthday Grandad (...best icing ever I must add)

My beautiful Mother

Happy 9th Birthday Haley... I love this photo!

Cousins (Jordyn and Chase)

Aunty Samantha and Baby J... Spring 2011

Hot Tub Fun at Nan's

My Nephew Chase April 2011

Jamie and I...

FUN AND LAUGHTER
(hard to choose all the good ones) 

The Gang

Birthday cupcake = Sugar rush

...do any kids really sit still to eat at the table...

Brotherly love... plug your nose Maddy!

Gotta love the Dollar Store
.

Frogs galore while camping at Jack Fish in July

  SLIDES                                                   SWINGS

Perfect landing!

Our friendly bunny...

Mommy and Baby J

Madison gifted Colton with a toy that now 'frustrates' her...she thought he would like it.

My photogenic Cutie Patootie Nephew (Christmas 2011)

Maddy and Mickey

Bubble Gum ice cream...sooo good!

Oh Timber...anything to avoid walking...

Friends are Fun!!! Especially Miss Mia and Miss Lili!!!

...a 4 year old giving a pedicure to her Nanny is really interesting to watch...

Insert Silly Colton

Where are those silly fish???

Bouncy tunnel fun...

What gardening in an Alberta spring looks like!

L.O.V.E

Loungin

During our family photo shoot in September 2011

Peek-A-Boo

FRIENDS and VACATIONS

(here I wish I could find more pictures...2012 will definitely reflect more)
 

Victorious Secrets Group Picture

Holly and Allie

Our Competition - The Yummy Mummy's

Victorious Secrets - May Long Amazing Race 2011

Jenn's Stagette... SUPER FUN!

My Beautiful Friend Jenn...congrats again to you and your hubby Justin! Love you both!

Halloween fun with Mars (Fun Party hosted by Cara...thanks again)

Heading to the Airport...Jenny, myself and Cara

Getting Ready for our last night out in Vegas

Vegas over looking the strip

Spectacular View

THE LAST DAYS OF 2011

I wish I could share all my pictures and all my stories...

I have so many showing what a GREAT YEAR 2011 was!

 Especially the last week (through the much anticipated Christmas holidays) was my most favorite. I got to see all my family up north and share some really special days with my family here at home.

On the 30th of December the only plans we had were to head over to Karen's so the kiddo's could open up some gifts and us adults could share some conversation over coffee. But before heading out the door my friend Cindy sent me a text to see if we would like to join them and some other friends at the Okotoks swimming pool for the family swim. 

SO VERY GLAD WE JOINED IN THE FUN 

(although I did miss my now GROWN UP 'little' man who was joining his Dad in celebrating the New Year)

We swam and splashed away at the pool. Madison joined her friends in the deep end sliding down the slide and jumping off the edge of the pool into the water. Jordyn was especially excited, floating mostly on her back with the assistance of her life jacket. She hasn't quite grasped the concept that she can't swim if she leans forward into the water. 

After swimming we all went for lunch at the Sweetgrass Deli in Okotoks. For those of you who are near and haven't been...GO. It's delicious!!!

We ended up sharing supper at home with the Coutts clan. Simple SPAGETTI accompanied by WINE. Mmmmmm...

After kids were tucked in Cindy and I jumped into the hot tub sharing hours of endless conversation, wine and cigarrello's...

I cannot express enough how THANKFUL I am for you as a GOOD FRIEND. 

You never fail to be supportive and understanding...Thank you for talking, listening and impacting my life.

Past, Present and Future.

On the very last day of the year, my husband and I loaded up the kids and packed them over to Grandma and Grandpa's so we could have a day of fun on the big kid toys. 

We took our quads and headed to Indian Graves where we spent 2 hours in the back country wheeling through snow and over ice. The gusty winds were chilly...my cheeks, nose, chin and the tops of my legs could feel the cold. So glad Jamie cut up one of his toques so I could at least cover up my face. We shared ham and cheese sandwiches and a couple of pepsi's. Simple and relaxing... Could I have asked for any more? Nope! It was a perfect afternoon.

This was our first New Years Eve that we didn't spend with Friends! We spent it as a FAMILY!!! We bundled up and took the girls for a sleigh ride in Turner Valley followed by a quick show of Fireworks.

Jamie couldn't resist the funny face!

Mom and the Girls

The night ended with me falling asleep snuggled up to Jamie at 10:30pm while he finished watching a movie we had planned to watch together...oops! 

I did however wake up to a wonderful phone call at 12:06 am January 1st, 2012 by my very first Happy New Year's wisher...my son Colton! Thank you buddy...I love you! Your happy voice started my New Year...what a gift to receive!

AND THIS IS WHAT THE MORNING SUNRISE FOR 2012 REVEALED...

...the view from our Deck...

HOW PERFECT!!!

My Post from Facebook December 31st, 2011

2011 brought fun vacations, close friendships, good health, self awareness and growth...and tons of LOVE & LAUGHTER!!! To all my family and friends...end 2011 with all wishes and thoughts you want to bring into the New Year... Have a good one!!! ♥ much love from all of us!!!!

...No resolutions this year...just 10 Fundamentals I think I'll incorporate into my LIFE...