Top 10 of 2011

Top 10 of 2011

1. Our first family trip to Disney World~it was AMAZING in so many ways...to see the look on the boy's face as we entered the gates, to see their reaction to their favorite and not-so-favorite characters, to get an upgraded room at the Animal Kingdom(no extra charge) that viewed "real, live, animals from the safari" says Carson, to ride all of the many rides for the first time with our boys... all will be sweet memories that will last a lifetime!!

Chef Mickeys

My guys in a tea cup!!!

Dino-Land

BUZZ!!  Mason was thrilled!!!

Carson animal watching-he begged to go back to the room!!

2. Boat fever~we have contemplated for a long time over buying a boat and this year we buckled and bought one :) It will cost us money to buy fuel, service, and repairs...but no price tag can be put on the memories!!!  All 4 of us LOVE it, it is just our "thing" that our family can't get enough of...the boys enjoyed many trips on the boat including their first snapper fishing trip!!!

3. Baseball season~Carson decided to play baseball this year and now I know that I am a very competitive mom!  He did a great job and now I know he is very competitive as well!  I am so glad he wanted to play and he is already talking about next season. :) Mason thought about it and declined once he found out he could not be with Carson, would have to hit off of a tee when he can clearly hit a pitched ball...so he says!

Baseball Buds

4. Camping~Springtime brought on camping time.  We were able to take the boys camping this year, enjoyed Gulf State Park and fishing on the pier.  The boys have thoroughly enjoyed these new adventures.  For me, just have to find the essential camping utensils and decor :)

No training wheels :)

5. Summer spot~for the past 20 or so years my family has spent time on Dauphin Island during the Summer.  It first started off as a week and then a month and now we will stay May through August.  I am not quite sure there is anything that pleases the boys more.  We officially have a Summer spot on the island and on the few occasions we leave to ride ferry across the bay or go home for a few days it never fails....I always hear "when can we go back to the island?" sweet, sweet memories..

Mason learns to SWIM!!!

6.Family~ with fishing, camping, and sweet summertime brings lots of unplanned, no real agenda family time with aunts, uncles, & cousins....and this just makes my heart smile :) absolutely nothing like family!!

7. Jobs~we are grateful for jobs.  I absolutely LOVE my job.  There is NO better place to work, I am fortunate enough to work with some truly amazing people...people I call my friends, real friends that will be brutally honest with you when you need it most...a fabulous faculty that really work together as a team for the best interest of the children.  And even though I witness some children that are sad and/or mad, I know this was what I was meant to do!  Tony has changed positions with his company and is much happier with the change...and even though he doesn't always express it, I can see on his face that for the first time he is really enjoying it(even the challenges that come with it).  Thankful for our jobs!

8. School days~

K4~Mason was thrilled to enter K4!!  He says "I am now a big boy and will learn to read."  And, he has done so well.  He loves it...getting in the car each day ready to show his happy face and all of the work he has completed.  He told me that he can read now, and is overjoyed now that he is bringing home his own books.  Does this boy know how much I love him and his love for books?!

 2nd Grade~Carson has had a HUGE adjustment this year.  He is now in a much larger school setting and was very anxious about it.  Honestly, he is not thrilled at school, never has been.  It bothers me a little because I loved school, but Tony keeps reminding me that he did not like it and survived it(he keeps telling me not to worry).  Carson has true test anxiety, he gets very nervous and anxious before a test.  Recently, he was upset over an end of -the-quarter math test.  I was trying my best to calm him(side note:Math is his subject, really enjoys it) and I asked him why he was so upset.  He said "I just want a 100."  In my mind, I am thinking that he does not get this from me...I was so calm, relaxed and I know I got in trouble more than once for talking during class time.  I was never anxious over a test.  At the end of that day, his teachers stops me to tell me Carson scored a 93 on his test.  So, I tel Carson and he responds "well, mom it was not a 100 but a 93 is not to shabby." Geez.  I am hoping that this anxiety will find another place to live...but we will do our best to cope and hopefully enjoy the second grade!  Carson Lee-calm yourself down and know that I love you to the moon and back 100 times!!!

9. Friends, real ones not ones that pretend~I have some fabulous friends!  Some are acquaintances that are sweet and lovely people.  I may not get to see them much but they are great to meet for lunch or dinner or play time with our kids at the beach.  Every girl needs friends!  But, I have a a few friends( and they know who they are) that will always be there for me through the good, bad, horrible, fabulous, and breath taking moments.  These friends are not jealous or envious at any time, they don't talk about you to others.  They truly want the best for me and my family.  They are the ones that celebrate and cry with me.  For these friends, I am in debt not because of what they have done for me but what I know they WILL do with me and for me. 

10. Christmas~It has to be the last of this list because it just happened.  Christmas is the one time of the year that I think many people stop and realize their blessing(maybe not the Grinch) but most people get to visit family and spend quality time with the ones they love.  My dad enjoys Christmas immensely, it inspires me.  He grew up in a large family(11 children) so they did not get much for Christmas.  As an adult, he always made sure that my brother and I had more than we needed and then some.  He never asks for much either.  A few years ago, he started decorating outside at Christmas.  Each year, it has grown and I honestly think it serves as a gift for others to come and enjoy the lights. 

A good conscience is a continual Christmas.~Ben Franklin



                                        2011 has been so good to us, we truly feel so blessed!!