January 1, 2012

Goodbye 2011 ~ Thanks for the Memories!

I’ve seen a lot of people, both on Twitter and Facebook, happy to see the end of 2011. That is totally how I felt at the end of 2010, a year of hellish pain, but 2011 was a great year.

The most wonderful event of 2011?

: Owynn & Oliver

Our oldest daughter and her husband became the proud parents to twin boys, Owynn & Oliver. Of course, that made me a Grandmother. I admit to still choking on that word a bit, but I couldn’t be happier. Okay, maybe I could be happier. If they move closer to us in 2012, then I’d be happier.

: Not Welcome Here

In February, I took a road trip with my mother to see Owynn and Oliver for the first time. The driving part was horrific. New York to Nebraska, I don’t recommend it to anyone. If you do decide to brave the trip, stay away from Illinois. There were lots of awful things that happened during the road trip, like almost being run off the road by a crazy trucker driving an 18 wheeler, or the kamikaze bird that flew directly into the windshield while I was driving 70 mph or running over a huge tire in the middle of the highway also while going 70 mph, but being profiled as grandmother terrorists was definitely the worst. Since then I’ve been avoiding Illinois and the Chicago area like the plague.

The actual visit was perfect. A week spend holding and cuddling sweet tiny babies? Who could ask for more? Oh ya, we did get to visit with my daughter and her husband. That was great too.

March brought the trip of a lifetime for me. I was fortunate enough to get into Disney Social Media Moms and to say I was excited about going is a vast understatement. I’ve been a fan of Walt Disney World and basically all things Disney since I was little and frankly, I’m a little obsessed. The conference and trip was everything I’d imagined and more. It was pure magic. I was a mean mother and left the kids and the dogs with my parents and sister and went with just my husband. It was our first vacation all alone in 26 years. We sooooo deserved it. If i am lucky enough to go again this year, I’ll be bringing the kids. Our 22 year old daughter will already be there since she is starting an internship at Walt Disney World in January. This will be her third time. Our oldest daughter met her husband during her Disney Internship. So, yes, as a family, we are all a little Disney obsessed.

I spend most of April walking around in a post Disney Conference blissful pixie dusted fog.

The end of May brought me a big change with a new job as the receptionist at our local shelter. I’m very fortunate to have found a job I love, that is so close to home. I was under strict orders from my husband not to come home with any more animals because we were already above his limit (which is 0 to possibly 1). But then I had to pass this little guy 4 times a day for several weeks. He would always come over and meow and reach his little paw out and that was that.

Shelter Kitten — Waiting for his Forever Home

George came home with us in July and from the moment he popped out of his carrier, he has made himself at home. He is best buddies with J-Man and torments our older 2 cats on a regular basis.

: George and J-Man

In August, our daughter surprised her Dad with a visit and he finally got to meet his grandsons. My parents drove out for the occasion and we had a houseful of people and babies and it was wonderful. It was the best birthday present for him ever. It was also our anniversary and he totally surprised me with an iPad! Yay!

: Oliver and Owynn

Everyone was still here for Sissy’s debut as a model for Lord & Taylor’s School La La back to school fashion show.

: Sissy in the Lord & Taylor School La La Fashion Show

September was back to school and apple picking.

October we took a trip back to Massachusetts over Columbus Day weekend. We planned on going to the Topsfield Fair and visiting family. We had the added bonus of weather in the 80’s and even managed to sneak in a trip to the beach.