Saying Goodby to 2011

There is no nostalgia for the ending of 2011, other than it is a year I do not want to relive.  Truly, I am blessed with so many things, but this year was challenging in so many ways.  Our family lost my mom and our beloved pets this year, and I underestimated the fallout from those events. There were a host of other annoying challenges, but the year is done and we can start a new in 2012.  We sent 2011 off with a bang and spent the last week of the year with family.   

Such as my awesome rock star brother, who is also an amazing cook.   He is my rock and is so good to me.  When I was sixteen I would lock myself in my bedroom to call him and rant about how crazy things were.  He would always listen and calmly give advice.  Here I am at the age of 34 and I  last week I locked myself in the bathroom at my dad's house and called him to say, "This is crazy... how did we get here?"  I love him, and his loyalty and love are one of the best things in my life.  He has always been my "Big Brother" and to this day he introduces me as "My Baby Sister."

 

My brother is a lucky man, with an amazingly kind wife, and two adorable boys.  I love my nephews so very much and I look forward to hanging out with them.   My kids love them too, and we hit one of our favorite museums while they were in town.

 

After my brother and nephews left, Mr. Man's family arrived in town.   His sister treated us all to Medieval Times.  AK loved every minute of it, from watching the horses getting prepped, to the jousting.  When she grows up she wants to be a jouster.  

 

I have 400 pictures of Mr. Boy like this over the course of his lifetime. He watches things so intensely with his mouth open.  He blocks everything out, especially my voice and gets into the story.   

Sometimes I often wish for a big family, but then I'm reminded... I married into a big family.  Mr. Man has oodles of cousins who we love and are close to.  They are dear friends and my kids love their kids.   We got together for an adult night with the cousins.  We played Chat Roulette because we thought it would be so funny to have people come onto chat and see 10 people staring back at them. We thought it was funny...

Later, confessions were made that we shall never speak of again.

New Year's Eve was at our house, and I could not have been in a better mood.  I was happy to close out 2011, and welcome the New Year with a kiss at midnight. 

 

And the house was full of family and few friends until the wee hours of the morning. I love this house, it is so satisfying to have it full of people who are enjoying themselves by the firepit, playing video games, watching movies, playing Ping Dong, and chowing on good food.   

New Years Day was over at Uncle Mike's House for the annual "Mini Rose Parade" where we watch the Rose Parade Floats line up.  There were oodles of cousins and mini cousins to love on. 

I still don't know how to convey to my children how special it is to see the Rose Parade floats in person, before the actual parade. 

Dear 2012, Please be kind and gentle to us this year.   Thank you, Madamoiselle