Goodbye 2011.

I have had the itch to reminisce just a little more through our last year before we are all flying by in 2012. I've spent the last two nights going through my archives at all the pictures I took in 2011. There is a lot. Most of them that have just sat untouched. I'm so glad I have them though. So many wonderful memories.

2011 happened to be a pretty good year for us, considering the things that we have had to face. We defiantly have had our challenges through the year, but mostly those challenges have left my husband and I a lot closer.

It's weird how it works like that.

There was a lot of times I felt so defeated in so many ways, but looking back those struggles have left us a whole lot stronger and I'm thankful for that. It actually feels good to actually have to work together for things and for us to get back on the same page together. It's helped our marriage and has taught us a lot of lessons we will never do again.

We've had a lot of laughter and fun times too. Bring Stella home in August, watching Sienna become a big sister. This summer was the best even while being pregnant and it being pretty hot. We didn't have any big trips planned, but we had fun doing a lot of little things together as a family. Lots of memories of the girls swimming, lots of days spent with my SIL Michele and her kids while she was on maternity leave, lots of days at the park, getting snow cones and hanging out outside. Just being with my girls is a blast in it's self for sure even those days we decide to be lazy and stay in our PJ's all day and do nothing. One thing I know I will miss with them as they get bigger and not need me as much!

I love being a mom. My girls are everything to me (as cheesy as it sounds). The girls are so beautiful to me, inside and out. I try my best to capture all those everyday moments with them. I want them to be able to look back twenty years from now at their lives and see how much they are loved and hopefully all these little moments captured will prove that. The great things about kids is they seem to make every year the best no matter what!

So to them...THANK YOU for being my special little people. You all keep me busy, happy and very tired! I wouldn't trade it for the world. :-)

So excited for all the fun in 2012!

XO,

Shannon