2011 in Review

2011 was a crazy, yet wonderful year for us. Plenty of happy times, a few sad times, and all around  a wonderful year filled with blessings!

January

A week after finding out we are going to be a family of 4, my Mimi goes to to be with Jesus. So many wonderful memories of her and my Papa.

 

February

Record breaking ice storm in Fort Worth. We were iced in (and losing our minds) for 3 days!

 

March

We find out we are having a little girl! We also spend a lot of time outside enjoying warmer weather!

 

April

Easter and swimming for the first time in Nanny and Pappy's new pool!

 

May

We spent a wonderful week in Europe, traveling to Paris and Barcelona!

 

June

We spent lots and lots of time at the water park!

  

July

I was 8.5 months pregnant during the second hottest summer on record in Fort Worth. This was a loooong month.

 

August

Without a doubt the biggest month of the year.   Bryan and I celebrated our anniversary, my niece Addison was born, Kade turned 2, and the very next day Ella was born!

 

September

Kade starts Mother's Day Out!

 

October

We welcome Fall and have fun celebrating Halloween!

 

November

Kade is the cutest ring bearer ever in Lauren and Clay's wedding!

 

 December

We celebrate the heck out of Christmas and create new family traditions. And also spend about half of the month sick! 

 Can't wait to see what 2012 hold for us! Hopefully some traveling, NO babies, and lots of fun quality time together!

New Years Eve

New Year's Eve was pretty low key this year. Which is only natural since we have two kids. I had to set my alarm to wake up to see the ball drop. I didn't want to miss it, but I just couldn't stay awake that long! We went to eat sushi, got some ice cream, and came home to "party" with the kids all before their 8:00 bedtime :) We did have some party hats and music. I couldn't even imagine going out and 'partying' to ring in the New Year. It makes me tired to even think about it. Call me crazy, but I prefer an early dinner, music and dancing with my 2 year old, and pj's and games with my hubby! It was so prefect! I did tell Bryan that going to New York and being in Times Square is on my bucket list. He said he has no interest in that, but I always talk him into everything. So someday :)

A boy and his bike...

Meme and Gdad gave Kade a balance bike for Christmas and he LOVES it! I have been so impressed by how fast he has picked it up. The balance bikes are so cool and when the time comes for a real bike the hope is that he will bypass training wheels. Just the other day we went on an actual bike ride together and he was able to keep up. It is so fun watching him learn!

Ella- 4 months old

At the time I am writing this, Ella is almost 5 months old. She has done a lot this past month so I am going to keep her 4 month post short. Ella turned 4 months old December 27th and is growing too fast! She is developing such a cute little personality. I love this little girl to pieces!!!

4 month stats:

Weight: 14.4 lbs (58%)
Height: 24.25 inches (52%)
Head: I don't remember the measurements but it was 60% percentile.

Christmas with the Stephens

Normally, we are driving back to Lubbock on the 26th to spend Christmas with Bryan's side of the family. But this year they all came down here!! It was so wonderful!! We love getting to see them but we don't love the drive. So the fact that everyone went out of their way to come down here was a huge blessing a relief for us! We had everyone over to the house on the 27th for dinner and present. The train table was a hit for all the boys! They played in Kade's room all night long! The next day we all went to the zoo. It was a lot of fun. All the animals were hiding when we first got there but it wasn't too long that they all started to come out. The last day they were here we went to the aquarium. It was so fun! We had the best time while they were here, and couldn't thank everyone enough for making the trip down!

Ella was there too, promise! Just sleeping in the stroller most of the time!!