DECEMBER brought a lot of fun days and nights.

Here is a picture of Gates, Katherine, and Hayley. They are the kids of Anne Marie, and she is not into baby beauty queens. Her little Katherine was Vixen the reindeer in a play. Gates and I went to watch her very good performance. Little cutie.

Christmas morning Skype with the Oakleys
the trains at Northpark. Alan liked watching all of the action.
Preschool Chistmas party.

Alan turned one on november 29. We had a train party for him the first weekend in December. I hadn't gotten my new camera yet, so my pictures are limited, but here are a few!

this birthday boy LOVES cake!

This was the front of the thank you notes I sent out.
The birthday boy and grandeur in the train.
a picture of the train. It was fun. Even in the rain...

What I photographed before I had bambinos.

I am trying to learn how topmost pictures to my blog via my iPad. While attempting to learn how, I (Jenny). Discovered I already had a photobucket account. Here are the pictures that were in it. Here are the subjects of my photography before I had kiddos!

Amy, sitting so close to dunc. Maybe she's the one responsible for the next picture... ;)
drunk dunc
Duncan

Kristin, preburke

My dad playing at pf changs

lovely Gods and Goddesses under the influence.

winged raptor

Brandon's surprise 30th birthday party. Mark under the mask. Although everyone was sporting Brandon masks!

Courtnee prekid when she flew... ;)

New Years 2012... Gonna be a good one!

Goodbye to 2011.

One of the best years in my memory.

Goodbye, and may you be followed by an equally delightful year.

In January, we had a tiny little fella with us wherever we went. We learned about sharing and including a precious new family member.

We lost Brandon's beloved grandmother in february. This was a sad time, but the way the family came together and celebrated the life of this lovely lady was amazing. She left quite a legacy with her family, I know because I am married to a great one. We have all spent time remembering Margaret, and laughing at different stories.

March = madness.

In April, we had a tremendous trip to Disney world. One of our blessings babysat Alan, and we were able to crash a trip that our dear friends had been planning.

So, the spring brought many things that contributed to a happy year. I went back to work in May. I was much less conflicted this go around. I seemed to enjoy it more, and appreciate it for what it was. An opportunity to do my own thing, and sleep all night!!!

The summer was nice. Nice and hot. We took Alan on his first plane ride to McAllen. He dug it. Gates got to chew gum on the plane, and now tells me that I will get to have gum, when I'm going to work.

By the time fall rolled around, and I got into the habit of writing 2011, I couldn't get over how fast the year was going. I turned 35 (how). And my brother turned 40 (seriously)???? This year was flying warp speed ahead.

This made me realize that life is too short to worry about things I can't control. To be mad at people for things they didn't mean. To get off of antidepressants. To not accept help and love that is surrounding me.

Live life. Be positive. Love your people. Drop grudges. Stay medicated. Be patient ( not that I can). Count blessings. Bad things happen. But so do good things. Let's focus on those, and hopefully 2012 will be an even better year!!!

My boy is one. Where has the year gone? It has been the fastest of my life. We went to the doctor today. Alan is looking good. There are a few things mama needs to work on. I was so good with Gates about taking the bottle away and putting her down to bed awake. I was good about feeding her. So, I am on a mission to ditch the bottle, let him cry it out, and letting him eat what I feed him.

Alan weighs 25lbs 7 oz

He is 32 1/2 inches long.

And still cute as a bug.