Highlights of 2011

Even though so many things didn't work out the way I expected them to, I can definitely say that 2011 has been one of the best years of my life. I thought it would be fun to do a little 2011 wrap up, so here it is:

January started off with us moving from Northern CA to LA. We were planning on staying with Ryan's parents for a few weeks to a few months, TOPS. Hahaha. It didn't quite work out that way. If you would have told me then that we'd still be here in a year, I would have died. BUT, it's really been wonderful and as the year has had its twists and turns (baby, job loss, new job with Ryan travelling every week), I really think being here in La Canada was the best thing for us.


I guess we technically moved here in December, because a few days after we got here, we got to go to the Rose Bowl. It was fun, but being pregnant and dealing with the crowds was a little hard.

Me 8 months pregnant.

I sure miss that hair!

February brought a LOT of change.

9 months pregnant with Abby (who was 7 months along?)

 At the end of the month (and 10 days earlier than expected), I became a mama!

And we became a family of 3 :)

 ...to the most beautiful boy I've ever laid eyes on!!

March was quiet. I didn't leave the house most of the month. But in April, Ryan needed to go up to San Francisco for work the week of my birthday, so we decided 6 weeks old was the perfect age to take Brady on his first road trip

We stayed in the city one night (and with my parents for a few more)

We visited Ghirardeli Square for ice cream sundays

And we went to Alcatraz (my first time!)

Brady was SO good in the car. He slept most of the way.

Also in April, or maybe it was May, Brady was blessed in the church. Because his cousing Rhys was born 3 short days after him, we had a combined blessing and Easter party after.

June and July brought all the typical summer activities: BBQs, Swimming, and Baseball games. And somewhere in that time, Ryan was laid off from his job...that turned out to be the best thing EVER. He got to spend more time at home with me and Brady during a some of those precious newborn months.

At the end of July, we went out to Midway, UT for a week to meet up with the entire Stringham (Arlene's family) clan for a family reunion

In August, we went to the Orange County fair a few times. It's one of our favorite summer activities!

In September, Ryan got a JOB and started travelling M-F, every week. This is when I was especially grateful to be living at Rick and Arlene's. I would have been pretty lonely living on my own during that 4 month training period!!

In November, Ryan GRADUATED!!!  He wasn't scheduled to finish his classes until February, but when he got laid off, he doubled up and got to finish 4 months early!! Another reason we're glad he got laid off!

Also in November, we all went to San Diego for the weekend to meet up with Courtney and her boyfriend, Josh. We tailgated at the Charger/Packer game and then Courtney and the boys went in to watch the game while Arlene and I went back to the hotel for much needed massages!

 December brought Brady's first Christmas. It was so fun celebrating with a little one.

December also brought Ryan's territory assignment for work. Just a few days before Christmas we found out that we're moving to OMAHA in just 1 short month!!

So those are just some of the highlights of 2011. So much more happened, but I have a baby to attend to so I'll stop here. It really was an awesome year, but with our big moving coming so soon, it's just made us more anxious to see what 2012 will bring.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!