Goodbye 2011

2011 has been a decent year. Anna turned one this year and started walking.   Drew turned 4 and started preschool. I 've enjoyed having Drew come with me to school.  I had a big birthday this year, I turned 30.  It wasn't too eventful luckily.  The kids did start the year off with a few ear infections and Mike and I had our fair share of sicknesses, but nothing too major.  Things did get better as the year went on with just a few bouts of sickness.

We have also done quite a bit of house shopping this year and finally found our next home.  We won't be moving in until next year, but it looks as if we'll start 2012 with bang. Looking forward to another great year for everyone!

Drew's New Jeep!

Santa was awful nice to Drew this year.  He must have been a really good boy.  We got the Jeep out the day after Christmas and Drew did a great job learning to drive it.  Anna was scared at first, but soon was wanting in on the action.

He only farmed a few yards in the process...oops!  The steering needs some work.

Every time Drew would get out of his seat, Anna was quick to scoot right over into his spot.  She prefers driving over riding!

Drew was so nice to share with Anna, luckily she never found the gas pedal!

Christmas Day

Having kids makes Christmas so much fun!  Each year seems to get a little better.  Drew is at such a fun age and loves everything about Christmas.  Anna just joins right in and has gotten into the whole Christmas spirit too.  She calls Santa "ho ho" and loves pointing out the Christmas lights with Drew.  Drew was very excited to get to bed so Santa would come. Here he is fast asleep on Christmas Eve night. 

I imagine sugar plums are dancing in his head.

Anna is fast asleep waiting for Santa to come too - although her favorite sleeping position looks so uncomfortable!

Just woke up and jumped out of bed!  He slept until 7:45...not bad!

Anna did get the memo that you are supposed to get up early on Christmas.

Drew got her up though.

waiting for daddy to get up before we head downstairs

waiting at the top of the stairs while daddy makes sure Santa came last night

Santa came!

Wow - Santa even brought fruit snacks.  What a cool guy!

army guys!

Elmo (or as Anna says - "Melmo")

Teamwork

The LAST present... a note from Santa telling Drew to head to the garage for a BIG surprise!

His very own JEEP!

Wow!

After opening gifts at our house we headed to Ma &Pa's for another celebration.  We had a delicious brunch and then exchanged gifts.  The kids all seemed to be enjoying themselves!

Drew loves holding baby Mitch

Anna also enjoys baby Mitch

annual photo calendar from the grandkids

Anna is enjoying the calendar too!

Anna feeding her baby!



Later on in the afternoon, we headed to my aunt's house to see my mom's family.  I forgot to take any pictures.  Both kids had fun, Anna was rather shy but Drew loved running around with cousin, Jake.   Our last stop was at Mike's parents house where we oepn

Anna loved the big bags the most!

Anna dug right into the presents.

Anna's gift from Pa and Toots - this used to be Pa's toy chest when he was little. They had it painted to match Anna's rocking chair she got last Christmas.  What a special gift that we'll cherish for years to come!

We had such a fun Christmas this year.  It was a marathon of a day, but it was so enjoyable and it was so much fun seeing most of our families.  The kids had a great day and were spoiled rotten by everyone.  Drew and I even made a cake to celebrate Jesus' birthday...too bad we forgot to take it with us (we enjoyed it the next day though).