Cheers to 2012!

I love a good year in review post and reading what has been accomplished in 2011 and also goals for 2012. So, here goes my list!

In the beginning of 2011, I caught the mom-gone-photographer bug. I starting picking up our good camera and learning how to use it. My husband has helped me learn about the technical things and using the camera in manual mode. At first, I had no idea what I was doing but I am learning and I am pretty happy about where I am with my skills. My goal was to document our life through photos but in a more candid way, and I believe I have done that. My goal for 2012 to is become an even better mom-tographer!

In June, we moved to North Carolina. I was a pain to pack it up and move but its the best thing we did this year. I am so happy here. I love our house (even though its technically not ours) our neighbors have been awesome and actually talk to each other. We even had a block party over the summer, lots of fun! Taylor started Kindergarten and she has an awesome teacher. She is doing so well too, she is one of the top 3 readers in her class! She also lost her first tooth, two actually.

I got very crafty and started cooking more this year. I used my crockpot more than ever. I became very inspired this year by reading lots of blogs, from crafts to recipes to photography. Thanks also to Pinterest which has made my list of projects a mile long! :)

Here is a quick photo recap of our year.....

Beach outing in March in Florida - I love her crazy hair! 

My oldest graduated pre-K and started Kindergarten in the Fall 

In June we moved to North Carolina

Movies in the park over the summer

We spent a lot of time at the pool this summer! Taylor learned how to swim :) 

We had a Snow White birthday party for Teagan's 3rd birthday. It was a hit and this party was even featured on Kara's Party Ideas. What an honor! :)

We enjoyed seeing the leaves change in the fall 

We went to fall festivals and rode horses, not ponies, horses! 

Strawberry Shortcake & Supergirl for Halloween 

Both girls take dance class

Working more on my photog skillz

Taylor all dressed up to see the Nutcracker.  It was my first time and we both loved it!! 

 On the kids Christmas break, I hosted a movie in our basement for the neighborhood kids. A Polar Express pajama party! The LOVED it! 

What a great 2011! I didn't realize all we had done. All the fun times we had.

I have lots of ideas for next year and looking forward to sharing them all!

Have a safe & happy new year :)

I'm still alive!

It's been sooo long since my last blog post! Ever since Halloween, it's been non-stop...between working, taking care of the kids, crafting, planning my sister's baby shower, & laundry it seems to never end. I'm amazed how some people seem to keep it all together around the end of the year! But, I know the word "seem" is the key word here. We can't do it all, and although it may seem that way we need to remind ourselves to take a breather. For me, I had to put blogging on the back burner because I had so much else going on.

So, what's been new with me? Well, we had a fun filled fall with several festivals, pumpkin carving, and trick or treating. I planned and pulled off a very successful winter wonderland baby shower at the beginning of Dec. I will work on getting that post up soon! Now, we get ready for winter break. I have some fun things planned, like a Polar Express Pajama Movie Party next week for some of our neighborhood friends. Nothing formal, just kids in their jammies, hot chocolate, popcorn, and The Polar Express. If you have not seen the movie, I HIGHLY recommend it! Maybe bake & decorate some cookies and see the new Chipmunk movie (it looks so cute!).

Here is a photo recap of the past 2 months!

I can't wait to come back refreshed and better than ever in 2012!  

L,

Nicole