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Friday, December 30, 2011

looking back at 2011

you know, i've been perusing blog posts from this year for the last few days in preparation for the annual recap.  and other than the constant thought of "holy crap, it's already been that long since we did that?" i couldn't help but notice that more than ever, food was a major topic in 2011.  good gracious.

like, for example, this was definitely the year of the cookie.  a few of my favorites:









i dabbled in cake pops, too.






alas, the macaron obsession fizzled out fairly quickly.



but there was actual cooking this year, too.


i was able to return to my old life as a SAHM this year, too.  this was a wonderful thing, although it didn't come without sacrifice - the ILs made their move to texas permanent, and i said goodbye to my friends at my fun cupcaking job.




with unlimited time to spend together, the girls and i found ourselves doing all sorts of fun stuff, including fun midweek playdates with good friends.



in addition to preschool and gymnastics, the bean started a combo tap/ballet class



oh, and she did some swimming lessons too.


after wrapping up year two of junior league with a formal ball, i hung up my pearls for good.



there were fun GTGs with my friends, too - including several fabulous baby showers!








some well-known folks were lucky enough to meet us.


my beloved cousin r got married!




the teen celebrated her sweet sixteen with a fun overnighter in hollywood (complete with limo ride, a blowout, a stay at the redbury and sushi at katsu-ya), a BBQ at home, and then dinner at her favorite pasta joint.   





AND she finished up driver's training, aced her behind-the-wheel exam and earned her license.  yay!




we spent a week in texas, visiting the ILs in the dead of summer.  it was...hot.  but fun.




summer 2011 was all about the hollywood bowl.






 oh hey, i turned 40.



and the bean had a super duper rainbow party.




besides the bowl, there were other live shows too.





plus, there were food trucks galore.





i started getting my ass in shape - and ran my first two races ever.


with my most favorite birthday gift from the hub EVER - annual passes to disneyland - we kicked off a full year of fun at the happiest place on earth. 










i didn't get to do as much sewing as i would've liked, but i managed to turn out some fun stuff - mostly gifts for new babies and stuff for the bean to school on fun dress-up days.  well, i eked out a few things for myself, too.






whew.  it's really hard to recap an entire year in one post without making it last...well, forever.  in any case, 2011 was pretty darn good to us.  i hope 2012 brings even more joy, love, and laughter.

with a family like mine, that's a given. 

9 comments:

  1. What a fun year you had! So fortunate to be a part of that. :)

    Here's to a great 2012!

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  2. Where is the little bird/chick cookie?! THAT WAS THE BEST ONE.

    I am sad I am only in one photo. Pretty indicative of my [lack of] interaction with our crew this year.

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  3. What an incredible year! So glad that we became better friends this year. I'm blessed to know you and your little fam. <3 you to pieces! Happy New Year!

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  4. You had a great year. It's been fun reading your posts. Also, glad I was able to join your Stella and Dot team this year! Cheers to a fab 2012!

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  5. I can't believe the Teen is already 16.

    Even more,I can't believe than I am so interested in the lives of people whose names I don't even know...Yay internet!

    Happy New Year!

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  6. 2011 was a great year because I got to meet you! We should totally do some Disneyland adventures together in 2012!

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  7. Awwww, what an adorable recap! Here's an even awesomer 2012!

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