I decided to do another recap of our year. It is so hard to narrow down each month to just a few pictures to share but it is fun to look at the final result. And I can never get over how much the kids grow. Enjoy the photo recap!

January:
Lyla stayed with us for a long weekend and the three of them found all sorts of interesting ways to stay entertained. Look at those adorable bows!

Let's not forget that ice fishing season was also well underway and Max made sure to help pull up every last one of those big fish!

Birthday celebration at Acapulcos, in other words, another excuse for Grandma and Bopa to get together with their favorite grandbabies.

February:
Remember that time I found Max and Rory in the tub, with their clothes on? Yeah, I don't think I'll ever forget that day.

I took my solo vacation to Miami in February too. The weather was not as warm as I had hoped but the peace and quiet was everything I wished for.

March:

The mean mommy puts the kids to work washing the dishes.

March 1st was my first day home as a stay at home mom, shortly after we got together with Kristen and her boys to celebrate my new life change. Needless to say, we all had fun!

We also paid a visit to GG John. We knew his days were getting numbered and it was really nice to get to visit with him and have him laughing at his great grandchildren.

GG also accompanied us to the Minnesota Zoo. If you don't remember, she showed up in a mink fur coat. It will be one of my most cherished memories.

April:

We finished up our first tumbling class. The children had a blast and it has led to many more exciting classes at our gym.

Everything is starting to defrost, and Max is bringing mud, mud, and more mud into my home. I may be going a little crazy.

My cousin Gwenda married her love, Matt, and the whole family was able to help her celebrate!

May:
Max turned 3 and apparently became old enough to own his own four wheeler. He was pretty pumped about all his presents although I think it was mainly just having all the attention on him that really made him happy.

The kids got busy helping Daddy build our second garage.

Our newest cousin, Nora Wynn, joined our family on May 25th. You can never have too many cousins!

June:
We got an annual pass to Willow River State Park and have fallen madly in love with our walks to the waterfall. We've taken many people with us to show off the parks beauty.

And of course we had the Woodtick Races again this year. You know, where everyone plays in the dirt, eats food, plays with fire? Yeah, that would be my family's annual gathering.

And the gorgeous weather had us out in the lake early this year, much to the kids' approval.

July:
We celebrated our nation's birthday at the lake with family and friends.

And there was the Lumberjack Days Parade in Stillwater with our cousins.

Oh, and remember that day the kids and I took a walk along the river before our lunch plans? And a man caught this huge carp and offered to let Max hold it only to have him bear hug the slimy fish? Yeah, another thing I don't think I'll ever forget. He was so happy...and stinky!

August:
We joined Grammy, Auntie Katie, Lyla, and Nora up at their cabin for a vacation. This is when I got the adorable pictures of all the kids jumping off the dock, be sure to go check those out if you haven't seen them!

With the new garage we had to re-landscape which lead to even more mud and dirt. I think at this point I finally started to accept this. Or at least, I settled down a bit.

Andrea and Rosie helped me bring the kids to the Minnesota State Fair. We had a blast and I hope to do it again next year. Maybe make it a tradition if the girls are up for it?

September:
Max started his first day of preschool. You guys? This picture still makes my heart melt. They were both so happy.

Rory turned 2 and became even more independent.

October:
We were able to sneak out to the farm a few times that summer and fall and help Uncle Jeff manage all his new calves. Because you know he couldn't have done it without Max and Rory's help.

We started preparing for Halloween with our cousins. I'm so glad we do this together every year.

And let's not forget Buzz Lightyear and Woody. Two of the cutest toys you will ever find.

November:
This is when I finally got Dusty to join us for a walk to the waterfalls. We took a different trail back to the car and I snapped this gem. Seriously? If I could do pictures like this every time I took them? My house would be wall to wall photos.

We also visited with Allison and Oliver and took this adorable picture. All of the cousins which was then printed and framed as a present for Grammy and Dido.

After my Grandpa's (GG's) funeral, a big group of us took some of his ashes and dumped them into the creek that he fished and then took a shot of Brandy. It was a great way to remember a great man.

December:
Rory had her first dentist appointment. What a little diva in her sunglasses to protect her eyes.

And to round out the year, we celebrated Christmas with all our family. I just love this picture as I so rarely get to be in front of the camera with both my children.

2011 has been a good year to us. There was sadness and anger, as there always will be, but joy and happiness were far more prominent in our lives. Here's hoping that 2012 is just as good to us!

Happy New Year!