One great thing about starting a new year is getting a chance to look back on the previous year. 2011 was a good year. We completed our first year in the Air Force, traveled more than 15,545 miles by plane but mostly by car, visited 15 states, spent 13 weeks separated from Daddy, and made great memories. So here is our 2011 Year in Review!
January
Caleb began taking swimming lessons for the first time.
Great-Grandpa Manning and Grandma Sue came to visit on their way out to their mission in Louisiana.
February
Abilene was hit by a large ice and snow storm that shut the base and the town down for 4 days!
Brydon had knee surgery to repair his torn meniscus. He spent a week sleeping downstairs and a lot of time in physical therapy. The boys liked to join him downstairs. Brydon is all healed now.
Grandma and Grandpa Barton came to visit and we got to finally check out some of the local attractions.
We drove Brydon to Oklahoma City so he could begin his journey to Dayton, OH. We spent the day at the Zoo and then said good-bye for 10 weeks.
March
One plus to living in Texas is that spring comes a bit early and is very pretty.
While daddy was gone, Caleb and I found fun ways to entertain ourselves and indulged ourselves a bit!
April
Caleb and I were able to travel to Utah and visit a lot of family while we were there. We didn't get to see everyone like we had hoped, but it was a great trip.
Easter!
At the very end of the month, we drove to Dayton, OH to pick up Daddy!
May
We spent some time exploring Daddy's old stomping ground.
My parent's met us in Nauvoo, IL.
Caleb went home with Grandma and Grandpa and spent 10 days. He loved getting to ride the horses.
May
We bought a trampoline!
June
We sent Daddy to Montgomery, AL for what turned out to only be a week. As the hottest, driest summer on record hit us, we had to adjust to the Texas heat.
Good times with friends. Got to love boys!
July
We pretty much spent the whole month of July in the pool. Caleb became quite the fish!
August
We traveled to Rapid City, SD to visit family and friends there.
After we shipped Brydon off to Dayton, OH again, Caleb and I traveled to Huron to visit more family.
Caleb turned 5!!
We bought our first NEW car and became a 2 car family again!
Caleb started Kindergarten.
September
Our big trip to Sea World
Caleb ran in his first 1K race
Brydon and I attended our first Air Force Ball
I was able to fly in a C-130.
October
Grandma came out to visit for Halloween and I decided to make our Halloween costumes. It was a crazy venture but I was featured on the local news for it.
November
Brydon and I ran in our first Half Marathon. Brydon was injured and unable to finish. Luckily a little physical therapy has fixed him right up.
Caleb transferred to a new school. We now get to work with the sweetest teacher and best Principal I have ever met!
Caleb and I flew out to Huron, SD to surprise Grandpa for his 60th birthday. Boy was he surprised!
For Thanksgiving, we went to Oakdale, Louisiana to visit Great Grandpa Manning and Grandma Sue on their mission.
December
Caleb got a bean stick in his ear for 5 days and now has nightmares about beans in his ear and is terrified of Doctors.
Brydon and I went to our first Masquerade.
Christmas!!
I love looking back and reflecting on all our blessings and the wonderful memories we made. So grateful for the opportunity to begin a new year!! It will be exciting see what 2012 brings!
Hopefully a Precious Miracle!
