2011 in review.

the last week of 2011 was a complete whirlwind.  after getting back from kansas, our friends matt and joey came to stay for a couple of days from boston.  they left approximately an hour before my family arrived to ring in the new year - mom, dad, joe, and gram.  my uncle even drove in from dallas on new years day!  jb grilled steaks and i made twice-baked potatoes and mike and kim came over as well.  it was a mellow night - different from some of my past new years eves - but so nice to be snuggled in our home with family and friends.

when i look back on 2011, i want to take a nap.  ha.  in all seriousness, i cannot believe everything that happened in 365 days.  emme went from a barely smiling lump (albeit the most adorable lump of all time) to a walking, talking person who is absorbing the world at an amazing rate.  justin changed jobs after six years at one company; i changed jobs after six years at another.  we traveled with an infant to jamaica, kansas, and louisiana.  i traveled with an infant to florida, and traveled alone for work to philadelphia.  justin ventured to new orleans and atlanta on his own.  we bought a new house, moved into it, and became landlords.  we got a pool.  we lost our chickens.  we went on countless walks with dogs.  i sewed (not as much as i wanted) and read (also not as much as i wanted).  justin edited videos and took thousands of pictures.  we celebrated the births of lots of friends children.  we wrapped up the year way more out of shape than we'd hoped, but way more blessed than we could have ever imagined.

this coming year holds much promise and many plans.  i can't wait to see what's in store.