So Long, 2011!!

As the year comes to an end I would like to do a recap of my year. Yes, Sarah, I'm a copy cat. I haven't blogged in about 6 months, but I have a good excuse... REALLY I do!! So here goes...

This year I stepped out of my shell a bit and not only learned to crochet using graphs as patterns, but I also wrote my first 2 patterns. The first one that I wrote was for the Seahawks blanket I made for my nephew, Noah. 

This pattern has been on Ravelry.com for sale for almost a year and so far about 6 people have bought it. 

The other pattern I wrote and have for sale on Ravelry is this pot holder pattern. Its sold a few. 

I'm not sure how many of my 13 followers remember, but I work as an in-home caregiver. In March I had to deal with my first loss. Losing Joyce was hard and I still think of her often. She made me think and taught me so much. I miss her dearly. 

During the month of April I spent a lot of time sitting on the edge of my seat excited for my sisters visit at the end of the month. I drove to Seattle on May 1st to pick her and her husband up. I made plans with Josh's sisters to meet at BJ's for dinner to kill some time before my sisters flight was in. After sitting down and greeting Josh's sisters I looked up at the TV and saw that Osama Bin Laden was FINALLY killed. 

Such a wonderful way to make my mood even better.

Sarah and her husband spent 3 days here and we had a great time. Lots of family, food, and fun. Sarah and I even had a surprise birthday party on her last day here. It was the first time we celebrated our birthday together in 7 years. 

The sign I made and took with me to SeaTac.

Sarah took a picture of me waiting for them. I guess I looked RIGHT at her and STILL didn't see her. lol

Sarah and I at IHOP.

Our Birthday cake.

Both of us crying after the surprise was revealed.

June was pretty uneventful. Except I started working as a caregiver again. I have been working with that company for 6 months. 

In July I lost one of my aunts. I actually had met her for the first time that I can remember in December of 2010. She was such a sweet woman. I wish I had more time to get to know her. 

And then there is August. That month was CRAZY!! I had my bridal shower on the 13th, a party on the 24th,  rehearsal on the 27th, and my wedding on the 28th.

We had 150 mini cupcakes for our wedding cake.

My cousin Kassie's daughter, Jayda, was one of my 2 flower girls.

Me and my mom. I was in such a rush to get to the church that I forgot my earrings at home. So I ended up wearing Kassie's earrings, my Granny's pearl necklace, and my Aunt Karen's bracelet that Kassie's says Aunt Karen wore on her wedding day. 

My son, Nathaniel, was our ring bearer. He was so HANDSOME in his tux. I almost cried when I first saw him. lol

Dad and I had reversed rolls while walking down the aisle. Normally its the father that has to talk his daughter down the aisle... not for us. I had to talk him down it. We talked, joked, and laughed the whole time. 

Me and my husband, Josh.

The following are some of my favorite pictures.

My mom got Josh and I a room on the Newport Belle for our honeymoon. We had a blast down there visiting light houses, going the the aquarium, Ripley's, Wax Works. Under Sea Gardens. Our last night there we went to Local Ocean for dinner and had a wonderful time. The food was great and so was our server. 

On September 26th I started school at Clark College here in Vancouver. It has been an interesting experience going back to school. But I love it. I am currently on winter break and am eager for the new term to start on January 9th. 

October was pretty uneventful. Except for me having to call dad to come pick me up from a bar in Longview because I lost my keys. How pathetic is that... the first time I call one of my parents to pick me up from a bar I am totally sober. lol

Nathaniel's first Halloween back in 2009 we dressed him as a lion. And then in 2010 Josh's mom got him a tiger costume. So this year we decided we HAD to dress him as a bear. Here are pictures from all 3 Halloweens.

Lions, tigers, and bears... OH MY!!

November was a crazy month too. Trying to study and get ready for finals, Thanksgiving, and starting projects for Nathaniel's birthday.

December Nathaniel turned 3. We had a party for him on the 18th where he got to open the gifts I made for him.

This blanket I made from a graph. Took me a few weeks and Nathaniel loves Mickey.

His pillow only took me a couple days.

Josh's sisters and mom make Nathaniel's birthday cake every year. This year his party was Mickey Mouse themed. They did an awesome job on his cake. 

Now here we are the day before the last day of the year and I don't expect anything spectacular to happen in the next 34ish hours. Josh works tomorrow and I plan to sit here on my couch watching Criminal Minds. 

Happy New Year everyone!! Be safe and enjoy!!