2011-year in review

I have always been a rather "positive" person. Some have even described me as having an "infectious zeal". So when the end of a year comes, I like to look back at ALL of the blessings that I've had in a short period of time. This is my year in review. (no particular order)

2011

1. Ran my FIRST Marathon
2. Walked around Fenway (on the field)
3. Traveled to Kauai, HI
4. Learned to swim
5. Saw GLEE Live
6. Started attending CBS (studying the book of John)
7. Got new neighbors
8. Experienced a Northeaster Storm
9. Attempted snow boarding in Vermont
10. Went snorkeling

I could go on and on. I could also include several highlights that were for Jake (graduating Harvard), Owen (going across the monkey bars-unassisted) or Allie (starting Pre-K). But this was MY list, and 10 has always been a lucky number for me.

Christmas Break 2011

Christmas break this year has been awesome!!! The weather was extraordinary. I wasn't able to post any blogs, because I was busy enjoying it all. But now that the break (and year) are almost over, I'll post a few pics to hit the highlights.

The snacks I made for our Christmas Play Group.

This year's photo with Santa.

Grandma and Papa Arnett brought presents!

Santa stuffed our stockings.

Allie getting her mani.

Allie getting her pedi.

My NEW running shoes.

Some of what I purged.

Showing Gramma Karen how to play.

Aunt Nikki and Uno MOO.

Enjoying the nice weather.

Chapel Hill Christmas Program

Yesterday the Chapel Hill Preschool had their Christmas Program. It was so cute! Allie did a fabulous job. At the end each student went to the teacher to receive 2 presents. One was for them and one was for the parents. She got a tee shirt to wear for their first day back after Christmas Break. We got a picture that she made. It's precious.

Mrs. Patti loves these kids.

An angel, from our angel

Birthday Weekend (Allison)

I've had some BIG weekends, but this one goes to the "top 5".

Friday was Allison's 5th birthday, so we made treats for her class party. Keeping with the Nutcracker theme we made soldiers for the boys and ballerinas for the girls.

Here are the final results.

At her school, when it's your birthday, you get to be the STAR. She took a bag of things that she liked and were special to her. Then everyone in the class got to ask her a question. It was very cute. She was also the lucky student to take Theodore (the class teddy bear) home for the weekend. You'll see him farther down.

Sitting in the STAR chair.

After school, we started making the 48 cupcakes that would feed everyone at her party on Saturday. She loves to help!

Wearing some empty glasses.

She thinks glasses make girls look BEAUTIFUL!!!

Early Saturday morning, Theodore and Allie are ready!

We set up the treats.

Lined up the Nutcrackers.

This was the first group of painters.

It's cupcake time!

Opening presents and the center of attention.

(Some of the 30 kids)

We even had a celebrity show up!

Saturday night, Jake and I went to his work Christmas Party. It was a lot of fun. They had it at this Cabaret Comedy House. Lots of singing, laughing and hanging out with friends.

Shawn, Erin, Jen and Chris

Megan and myself

Sunday was "girl" outing. Allie had invited 2 of her girlfriends (and their moms) to The Nutcracker. Unfortunately, Paige was sick. But we have plans for next year!

Allison and Theodore

Lunch at Red Robin

Allie, Theodore and Addie

These lovely ladies look READY!

Show Time

By Sunday evening we were very tired. The irony was as I was getting ready to post this blog, I walked past Allie playing with her new presents. I just had to take a pic.

YEP! She's playing with the box!!!

She's 5!!!!

That's right! My "baby" is 5 years old today! She's so EXCITED! She will have a party at school today and can't wait to be the "STAR" of the class. I'll post pics later from the school party. But today is just the beginning of a fun-filled weekend. Stay tuned...

Sing Me Song, Piano Man

This past weekend, my girlfriends and I kidnapped one of our friends. She's been under a lot of stress lately and sometimes a check out from reality is called for. It was a BLAST! We ate, shopped, talked, yoga, sang, slept, talked and shopped. I firmly believe that girlfriends are something everyone needs and should never take for granted. I can't wait to do it again!!!

I'm dreaming of a WHITE Christmas

This year we decided to hire a professional Christmas Decor company to put lights on our house. It was a little pricey, but I think they did a FABULOUS job. The best part was they finished yesterday (Jake's birthday) and last night after I took these photos it started to snow. Christmas is definitely in the air.

View from the North.

View from the West.

Breakfast with Santa

Allison has been taking tap and ballet since September. One of the recitals they do during the year is "Breakfast with Santa" at the YMCA. This morning we got up early to get her ready for the big show.

This is her putting on her OWN makeup.

Here she is in her costume.

She danced to "I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas".

SUPER CUTE!!!!

And of course, we got to see the "big man in red".

It was a cold rainy day, but Nennie and Papa George made it to the performance and pancakes. For those that couldn't make it, I can show you the recording I made. We definitely have a "Dancing Queen" on our hands.

Thanksgiving Weekend 2011

This will be a packed post. We've done a lot this weekend. I'll start with Thursday (Thanksgiving Day).

We weren't celebrating it, all of our family was coming on Saturday to eat the BIG TURKEY meal. So the kids, Jake, Jen and myself went to the movies. We saw the BEST movie!!!

However, when we left the movie at 5ish we realized why people eat the big meals on this day. We were hungry and there wasn't any place OPEN!!!! So we settled for a frozen Totino's pizza and some mac n cheese. :)

Then on Friday, Jake and Owen went out to buy our first "fake" Christmas tree. Allie and I stayed home and started pulling the decorations out. When the boys brought home the tree, the kids and I began to assemble it. The funny thing was our tree came in 5 pieces, but the directions showed 4 pieces!!! It still looks amazing!!!

Tah-dah!

Helper #1

Helper #2

"Directions"

Allie then assembled the Nativity Scene.

A few hours later, I went to clean up the mess and found this.

The box the tree came in, or...

the new hangout!

The kids decorated their own tree downstairs.

What tree isn't complete with out action figures?

Saturday we had all of our family over to eat. I made a 23 pound turkey. YEAH! I said 23!!!! It came out perfectly.

The 3 generations of Arnetts, cutting the turkey.

Desserts!!!!

Just a few of the sides.

Valorie, Jen and myself

Dad, Jen and Mom

The "kid" bench.

After eating coma pose.

Victim #2.

Owen explaining "Angry Birds" to G.G.

It was a WONDERFUL weekend!