Oh my...has it really been this long since my last post?! 
Are we here...at 2012 already? 
Why does time go so slow when we want it fast and so fast when we want it slow?
Why are my kiddos so old already?
Why am I always perplexed by this?

Last year C and I said we were going to make this year different...we accomplished that and I am so proud of us.  We started off in the beautiful state of FL where we found that for us, it's the perfect place to visit.  We all missed winter, snow and wearing our long johns.  I can't wait to visit my Family-in-Law again and hang out on Anna Maria Island...love that place! 
We have settled in our new hometown, a suburb of St. Louis.  I love it!  It's a college town that has remained small with a large city all around it.  The schools are really great and my kiddos love it.  That is really all I could ask for.  Carl has a great job although a bit stressful at times.  I have also started working again.  Carl's company needed some help in the office so they offered me some great part-time work.  I love getting out and having a bit of an intellectual challenge to add to my busy Mom-life...although I must say the geometry my 7th grader is bringing home has proven to be a challenge all over again...ugh...I was never great at math. 

So here are some highlights from last year...Enjoy!

The Byars visit to FL! 

The Fam at Myaka State Park!

Carolyn's Bon Voyage Party for her 4 month Cruise around the World!

Carolyn's completed journey!  We followed her via this map and her itinerary the entire way!

Carolyn telling the kiddos about an adventure on her trip and the kiddos have on some of their goodies Baba brought home with her!

Carl up in the tree dropping yummy FL mangoes in our backyard!

Us!

One of my favorite pics!  Friends are great!

Eating at Anna Maria Island Pier restaurant with G and G!

Kids night out with Dad!  Fishing in Palma Sola Bay!

 

My big sisters and nephew Daniel came to visit!

On Anna Maria Island Pier once again...one of our favorite spots!

Katia's orchestra concert!

After packing up and leaving FL, kiddos and I were on a big road trip!  Our first stop was to visit Carl in MO and see our new hometown.  Then it was off to WY to hang out with Gram and Gramps Osborne and friends in CO! 

My best buds!  Can't ask for a better bunch of girlfriends!

Love and miss ya Scill!

Zander on bottom holding up Gabe...his BF!

"The Cruncher" strikes again!  Zander loves this...he begs Gramps for the cruncher!

In WY on M and D's property!

At Grams and Gramps Osborne!

Campfire with friends!

The lake below G and G's...their house is behind the big rock at the center-top of picture!

Our new home!

First day of school 2011!

Celebrating Carl's b-day at Johnson's Shut-ins!

Yes, we now live in the beer capital of the US...StL...home of Anheiser-Busch!

The Andrew's visit to MO...poor Eleanor really had a great time...just didn't want to leave I guess!

Halloween!

Zander at 5th grade music performance!

Moving our stuff all in!  Yay!

Thanksgiving in Chicago with Big Sis Lori and her family, G and G too!

Thanksgiving in Chicago..."grab a weapon" says Daniel when we walked in the door!  They were out the door and having a blast!  Big cousins are AWESOME!

20th Anniversary!!!!!!

The Fam!

At the Arch!  me, Grams, Z, K, L and Gramps

Cool pic Aunt D! 

...and the stocking were hung by the chimney with care!

At Steinberg Rink in Forest Park!  This was FUN!

Saying goodbye to G and G...Christmas 2011 was great fun!

Love!

We had a great 2011 and can't wait to see what 2012 brings to all of us! 
We are so fortunate for all that we have and by this I mean friends and family. 
There isn't a day that I don't think of all of you and feel blessed!
Peace and Love! 

Alicia