The Carter Family: January 2012

I am sad to admit that for the first time in 11 years of marriage, I did not send out a Christmas or New Years card or family letter. I worked on it for several days after all the holiday excitement was over, and I just couldn't get my act together or come up with a card I liked. So this year I will write our "letter" here on the blog, and will post some of the pictures I was playing around with and couldn't really decide on.

2011 was a year of big family events. It began in April with my sister Kathy marrying the man of her dreams...Trey. It was a beautiful, formal, black and white wedding in the Pensacola area. I was the maid of honor, Sydney was a flower girl, and Austin was a ring bearer. I went to Pensacola a couple of times leading up to the wedding for a bridal shower and a bridal portrait session with Kathy. The whole event was so exciting and we are so happy to have Trey as a part of our family!

Just 2 weeks after Kathy's wedding, we drove up to Atlanta to help Tom's Grandmother celebrate her 90th birthday. The whole family was able to be there, so we had a blast with the entire Georgia gang. We got home from that trip on Sunday and then flew to Texas on Thursday for Tom's brother's wedding. John and Jenny's wedding could not have been more different than Kathy's - just picture John riding in on horseback, Jenny being rowed in on a canoe by Tom and his dad, and a BBQ reception. So fun! Sydney was a flower girl and played her role well for a second time. We love Jenny and are so glad to have her as a sister.

Over the summer, Sydney went to Pensacola for the first time by herself for over a week. She loved having all the attention to herself, and I enjoyed having some down time with Austin. The next month we went to Gatlinburg with my family for a week, followed by a week in Virginia visiting my Aunt, Uncle and Grandparents. I'm so glad we were able to make that trip, because my Grandfather went to be with the Lord just 1 week after his 86th birthday at the beginning of November. My last memories of him are seeing him in his recliner watching Sydney play Tinkerbell bingo, and watching him watch the movie Cars with Austin in his apartment. He will be greatly missed.

This fall we did our usual trip to Blue Ridge for Thanksgiving and went to Pensacola for Christmas. Kathy and I threw my mom a surprise 60th birthday party the week before Christmas, so it was an extra special time with family and friends. But after all those travels, it is great to be home and back in a routine!

Sydney has had a very eventful year herself! She turned 5 last March (which means now she is almost 6!). She graduated preschool in June and started Kindergarten in August. She is doing so well in her class and can read by herself now. She has become such a social little girl and has made many new friends at her school...which is conveniently within walking distance from our house. We took her to Disney for the first time in September (she rode Space Mountain 3 times in a row!). And over Christmas she lost her first tooth! She is turning into a very sweet, caring, and affectionate daughter, sister, and friend.

Austin also had big milestones this year. He turned 2 last May and is now extremely articulate when he speaks. He started preschool just 2 mornings a week in the fall and really enjoys it. I love the school we found and just adore his teachers. He'll actually have the same teachers next year when he moves up to the 3 year old class 3 mornings a week...which will be great for him. He remains obsessed with all things transportation related- cars, trains, trucks, or planes.

Tom and I stay busy with work, church, kids, and hunting. His job is still going well and provides a lot of fulfillment for him. He also enjoys hog hunting most weekends with friends. My business is busier than ever for which I am very grateful. I joined Mothers of Preschoolers again this year and have been enjoying the adult interaction and Bible Study it provides. I also just helped facilitate a Beth Moore study at our church while Tom is leading the Men's Fraternity study that is still ongoing.

I know for a lot of people 2011 was not an easy year. Even our own was filled with highs and lows as we welcomed 2 new family members and said goodbye to another. So my prayer for 2012 is for God to pour out His blessings, as well as give strength when strength is needed and to those that ask.

Here are some pictures I pulled that are favorites from throughout the year. Enjoy!

Pensacola Beach in February...