Goodbye 2011

Right now, it's easy for me to focus on all the crappy things that happened in 2011, but I'm making a conscious effort to spend the next day remembering all of the awesomeness. 


At this time last year, I made a resolution to take my blogging a bit more seriously.  Since then, I've posted 187 times (which is especially remarkable since I only posted 30 times in the two years before that), made some inspiring new friends, and also started writing for NY Mom's World and LI Parent Source.  I posted my first week in Droid pics (and then many more), chronicled our incredible CA trip during an entire month of travel-related posts, spent many days exploring NYC, and had a lot of fun with my boys.


This year, I'm going to look at things differently.  I am going to make 2012 the year of Happy, and in this space I'm going to focus on the things that are bringing me happiness (don't worry- there will be no shortage of cute toddler pics).  There will be a lot of changes- one being that I will be preparing to go back to work after being home with the boys for three years.


So to start, here are the things that made me happy the past couple weeks:


We had the most gorgeous Christmas tree filled with sooo many great memories (our ornaments have been collected from all our travels over the years).

I made an absolutely insane amount of candy-covered pretzels.

Just one of dozens of designs involving sprinkles, cookie crumbs, chopped nuts, & candy pieces.

I woke up each morning (before Christmas & a couple confused mornings after) to a sweet voice saying, "Timmmmmmmmmy...where ARE you?"

We're missing him!

JD has been hanging out under the mistletoe waiting for kisses.

wishin' & hopin'...

We took one last trip to Sesame Place until next spring.

I copied Suzanne, and made a kick-ass hot cocoa bar.

I think I will keep this out all year.

I made stirring spoons with melted Ghirardelli chocolates and candy. 

We got prettied up for Christmas Mass and made it through the entire service all sitting together (first time in at least a year we haven't had to take at least one of them out).

I had a nice holiday filled with family, friends, and way too many gifts, and I'm really looking forward to a peaceful and positive New Year.  I hope you are all enjoying extra time with your friends and family and have a safe & joyful celebration this weekend!