Onward to 2012

So I have no idea where to even start. It's been so long since I last posted, and so much has happened, that I don't know what to include and what to leave out. I'll do my best to keep this short and to the point.

I always get a little depressed after Christmas. There's so much anticipation leading up to it, that it's inevitable to feel a little sad when all the festivities end, family goes home, and it's time to take down the Christmas tree. This year was especially hard to see the season pass. There were a few things that made Christmas 2011 extra special. For starters, Makael was with us, making our family feel more complete...and I don't know what it is about him, but the boy just melts my heart. It was also incredibly fun to watch Gemma throughout the whole season...watching her pick out her tree ornament, watching her excitedly point out which stalking was hers, watching her face light up as she opened presents, and then appreciate them during the following weeks. My favorite thing this year however, was the fact that we had our first "official" Christmas together as a family. It was so surreal for me to have Christmas with "my family", in "my home", and watch "my kids" open presents. Definitely a Christmas for the books.

We are now in 2012 and I have already taken a gazillion pictures...that's what happens when you get a new camera lens for Christmas :) I'm usually the type to be sad that things have passed instead of being excited about what's to come. Thankfully, having Gemma and Makael has changed that somehow. I'm not sad last year is over, I'm actually anticipating 2012. I'm excited to see Makael learn how to sit on his own, crawl, walk, say his first words, and start demonstrating more and more of his sweet personality. I'm excited to watch Gemma continue to experience all the exciting things that come during toddler-hood, as she approaches her "childhood". There's going to be a lot of picture documenting on my part :)

Like most first posts of the year...I have to give a rundown of the previous year. 2011 was a fun year!

• We found out I was pregnant with baby #2.
• We survived 18+ inches of snow.
• Gemma learned how to walk!
• We redecorated our basement.
• We finished off the room in the basement and made it the new guest bedroom.
• Gemma moved into a big girl room.
• Gemma grew enough hair to wear pigtails :)
  
• I started potty training Gemma.
• I took a break from potty training Gemma.
• I re-started potty training Gemma.
• I'm still potty training Gemma.
• We bought a Ford Explorer to better accommodate multiple children.
• David and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary.
• We welcomed Makael into the world.
• Gemma turned 2 years old.
  
• We had our first family photo shoot as a family of 4.
  
• Makael learned how to smile, roll onto his back, babble, and sleep through the night :)

All in all a WONDERFUL year!!

There were too many pictures I wanted to post, so I've resorted to posting a link again.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.333380073352463.85423.100000414194522&type=1