Farewell, 2011

January 2011 began with a delicious meal of black eyed peas and greens.  I have to say that this meal started our year on the right foot!  It was a cold, snowy month with not much excitement.  One of my goals for 2011 was to pass a personal trainer's exam.  I began studying this month...little did I know then, that by the end of the year I would have passed not one but TWO personal trainer's exams!  yippe!!!

In February I celebrated 28 years of life.  Where did the time go?  How am I getting this old??  Slow Down!

March began with a fabulous skiing trip to Breckenridge, CO!  The hubs and I stayed at a good friends AMAZING ski lodge.  My Mom joined in on the fun and we all had a fabulous time skiing down the mountains of Colorado for a few days.

Later in March, I ran my first half-marathon.  It was great!  Then the hubs got news his company was downsizing and that meant his job too.  Boo hiss.  A very scary event to happen in this economy but it turned out to be a huge blessing...

April was a VERY busy month filled with two of my good friend's weddings.   They were a week apart and I was a bridesmaid in one and the Maid of Honor in the other!  The first wedding was in Greenville, SC.  It was a college sorority sister's wedding...it was so much fun and had a great time seeing old college friends.

Bridesmaids getting ready

Beautiful bride getting ready

Thankfully, both weddings were in South Carolina.  So after the first wedding and before the second wedding, the hubs and I went to my parents beach house in Pawley's Island, SC for a lovely vacation.  After a few days at the beach it was time for Charlotte's wedding, my best friend.  Her wedding was held at Kiawah Island, SC.  It was a picture PERFECT wedding...we had the time of our lives dancing the night away.  At the end of April, I passed my first Personal Trainer's exam...AFPA.  Yay!!!! :)  Did I mention it was a busy month????

The beautiful couple

Bride and bridemaids!  

May began with the husband getting a job and starting his job!  Hip, hip, horray!!!!!  Other than that, it was a quiet month.

In June, we celebrated our second Anniversary.  We enjoyed a nice dinner out in Raleigh to celebrate.  That weekend we went to another friend's wedding.

July was a very warm month...oh how I LOVE Summer.  We were lucky enough to spend a few days down at Holden Beach, NC with my husband's side of the family.  We had a great and relaxing time...it was very hard to leave!

Well hello my no makeup beach face!  And the hubs was trying to be funny w/his hand on the hip pose....

August was a month spent studying my brains out for my ACE personal trainer's exam.  There was no fun and games around our house during this time as I REALLY wanted to pass this exam!!!!  I also got a new job this month doing Corporate Personal Training.  It's basically my dream job...I love it and am so happy to be in a career that I love.  I could not see myself doing anything different.

In September I took my huge ACE exam and....PASSED!!!!!  It was the best.feeling.EVER.  Phew, no more studyin' for me!  I was one happy, happy lady.  

October brought more travel.  The hubs and I took a trip to Ithaca, NY where my Grandparents live.  We had a very nice visit with them and I enjoyed showing Daniel around Ithaca since it was his first visit there.

In November my Mom had a great surprise 60th Birthday Party for my Dad.  We had SUCH a great time and he was oh so surprised.  I love my Daddy so much.  He is so amazing.  It was also my Mom's birthday this month.  We had a good time celebrating her life as well.  Both of my parents are incredible.  Love, love, love them.

Year old picture, but love my fam :)

For Thanksgiving, we went to Raleigh to celebrate with my husband's side of the family.  We had a great time there filled with lots of love, MANY laughs, great food, and fun for all.  I am so blessed to have such amazing family on both sides!

And last, but not least...December marked 30 grand years of living for my husband.  We celebrated with a breath taking, absolutely picture perfect, trip to Hawaii.  Honestly, we had the time of our lives.  After this incredible trip, we were ready to celebrate Christmas.  We stayed in town to celebrate with my family.  My brother's came into town and so did my Dad's sister and her family.  I think it was one of my most favorite Christmas' yet.  My nephew pictured below, was the highlight of the party.  He is SUCH a cute and sweet boy.  We all enjoyed having a little one around for the holidays.  His Momma is pregnant so the next holiday we will have another baby to snuggle and enjoy!  Shown below are pictures from my parents house.

2011 was a year filled with lots of travel and lots of love.  It was a year filled with happiness and good health.  Here's to seeing what God has in store for us in 2012!  HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!