On the last day of 2011 I like to spend a little time thinking of the highlights of the year. Some were great, some were good and some were a little on the sad side.  Here they go:

12. December: A time to be Merry

Between all the different choir performances, Pancake breakfast, celebrating Christmas really early because Carolina was going to Spain, celebrating holidays with friends, house improvements and yummy eating. December is one eventful, overindulgence of goodies, fun with family and friends month that is a great finale to the year 2011.

11. November: A time to be Thankful

I decided to write about things to be thankful for, one for each day of the month, and that made me feel a lot more positive throughout the month. It’s not just about giving thanks, but accepting it and also recognizing that there are plenty things in our everyday life to be thankful for.

10. October: Pumpkins, witches, and Party oh my!

Between our day trip to Elgin for some pumpkin patch fun; Literacy night at school, our creativity unleashed in Halloween decorating the house, our cookies and our cupcakes, and the grand finale of the month the Halloween party, this year’s theme: Fictional movie character.

9. September: Rollercoasting fun!

NI Family day was the highlight of September no doubt! In the pic is Rafa, Pao, Claudia, Marco and Carolina. They got drenched on the ride… Anja and I got drenched taking the pics 😉

8. August: Bittersweet month that ended in the happiest place on earth

Another angel to watch over us, we had to go up to Syracuse to say goodbye to Grampi. On the happier side we got to spend our Anniversary in Syracuse with all of the family and had some great laughs remembering the old days.

With the sad part mentioned above also comes a happy part which is that Mimi and Papa had to come back to the US, and since they were here… graced us with their presence for the rest of the month! From all the loss we experienced we were all in much need of a happy place to turn to and the happiest place on earth is called Disneyworld and that’s where we went for a whole week on indulgence and birthday celebrations!

7. July: Summer summer summertime

I had to go get my little c back, we had a blast in Spain for a little bit longer and then we had to come back… Summer was filled of pool time, summer camp, robot camp and lots and lots of playtime in the sun!

We also had to say goodbye to Abuela Ino who at 96 decided it was her time to turn into an angel and watch over us from up above. We really miss her, but we are so grateful that we got to spend lots of afternoons with her between June and July.

6. June: Spain!

Carolina goes to Spain with Mimi and Papa, goes to school for 2 weeks, makes new friends, goes to summer camp and learns lots of Spanish 🙂

5. May: Family time

Mimi and Papa are in town what more do I have to say. We get spoiled rotten! Visit to the Salt Lick, good eating, celebrating Mother’s day, painting Carolina’s bedroom, end of school year parties and lots of lots of love.

4. April: eventful month

Papi’s bday bash, our biggest event of the year for work Impact 2011, Easter hunting, Disney on ice comes to town!

3. March: Activity full month

Carolina’s spring choir show about Bugz, Spring breaking, Papi’s got a new ride, Austin Rodeo, Archeology weekend… we didn’t stop for a second!

2. February: Snow is in the air

I’m beginning to see a pattern here, we don’t get white Christmases in Austin, but we get a one day snow day in February… Fun for everyone!

1. January’s highlight was friendship.

Our good friend Erika came to visit us in Austin and we had several activities of girls night out, a few dinners, Karaoke night, afternoon coffees, taking all the kiddos to the circus. You name it, January was filled with a lot of good friendship moments like the one I’m sharing below 🙂

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