Adios 2011

I realize these “look back at the year” posts are really only meaningful to the people writing them, but what better time to reflect and appreciate the year you’ve had before you jump into a new one. Plus, it’s fun digging through old pictures. Smile

So here are some of the great things that happened around here in 2011:

Kicked off the year with my college sorority’s 30th anniversary celebration, meaning a fabulous reunion with friends.

30th reunionxo 30th party

We celebrated the arrival of new babies…

emily baby showerbrand new baby

…and the marriage of friends.

father and bridebride walking down aisle

We turned our rickety deck into a screened in porch…one of those projects that you think will take 3 weeks but really takes 3 months.

building screened in porchwood postshammer and lumberhome improvement project

In April came my only race of the year. It was an absolute blast- one of the best I’ve participated in, the Rugged Maniac mud run.

muddy running shoesjumping over fire pit at mugged maniacsoaking wet after mud run

I skipped drinking these:

rum punch

when we got our biggest news of the year.

pregnancy announcementwe're pregnant

A baby!!

Which was followed by this:

baby blog tiny sneakers Baby blog time.

Turns out we weren’t the only one of our friends expecting- lots of babies coming soon!

new baby kelly & londonpregnant friends x 3

Spent the summer in my favorite place: on the water. An early summer of wakeboarding and a midsummer beach trip.

wakeboardingyaupon pier oak island nc

beach oak island nc

Followed by my 2nd 24 hour bike ride. I’ll use the term “24 hours” loosely this year. Winking smile

mom and daughter bike ridebob roll 24 hours of booty

I worked on my photography skills.

christmas baby photobaby with bowgingerbread cookiesvegetable soupchristmas tree photosmiling toddlerbaby photos

And grew my business.

online nutrition counselingnutrition coaching online

The husband and I celebrated our 5th {6th?} post-graduation college homecoming. {yikes}. And I graduated with my Masters.

husband and wife pregnancy photo masters degree

There were countless fun Junior League events.

junior league of greensboro

jlg fall provisional orientationjlg leadership picnic

jlg fall provisionals

jlg sept general membership meetingJLG Touch a Truck

And lots of spending time with good friends.

kelly's bdayhalloween costumes

lunch with friends

hlshls cocktail partyjen and i

 

I’d say it was a pretty good year. Smile How was your 2011? How will 2012 be different?

Holiday in the Mountains

This weekend officially started the Christmas celebrations, despite my denial that the holiday is actually here.

We headed up to the mountains of Virginia to celebrate with the husband’s family.

family christmas

We celebrated birthdays, babies, and Christmas.

birthday girlpuppy kisses

Last year’s babies are growing up already…

baby at christmasmom and daughter at christmas

The boys stuffing their faces and no doubt arguing over the virtues of West Virginia vs Virginia Tech football or basketball.

football discussions

kids at christmas

And the holidays aren’t complete without an awkward tree photo with everyone looking different directions.

family christmas tree photo

Now I just have to wait 5 days for the rest of the celebrations to begin…

Stuff Happenin’ Saturday

In case you were busy this week and missed some Internet happening’s, here’s what went on around here:

We talked Vibrams running shoes:

vibrams barefoot running shoes

Made delicious pumpkin cupcakes in less than 5 minutes:

pumpkin cupcakes cream cheese frosting

Got organized:

jewelry organization tips

Learned how to make groats & what’s up with all the other oats:

oat groats types of oats

And laughed at some ridiculous fitness fails:

escalators at gym

 

On tiny sneakers this week:

We talked 26 weeks of pregnancy & Braxton Hicks contractions.

Prenatal yoga.

The best pregnancy books.

And birth plans… or lack there of.

 

In other places around the interwebs:

Adventures in depression from Hyperbole & a Half.

NaNoWriMo & how to write a year’s worth of blog content in 30 days.

Top 10 tips for new moms…real tips.

And Brain Food 101: How to Store Bread

 

Anything catch your eye this week? And what are you being for Halloween?!