The Adams Family 2011

I realize we’re more than half way through January and most normal folks had this done back in November. But this is me we’re talking about here and I know that none of you have received a Christmas card from us and if we’re being real chances of that happening are slim. I still have the entire stack from 2007 sitting somewhere in some box that never actually made it into the mail, or in envelopes. I’ll just claim my strengths and acknowledge my weaknesses – this is one of them.

As I started to look through pictures of last year starting in January though it was such a great exercise to remember moments I’d forgotten and laugh at priceless memories we created. So while this is to certainly share with you our 2011, this is mostly for me because I do not want to forget.

January

We kicked off the new year in style. I turned 30 on January 8th and to celebrate we did it right. Major movie stars, front row seats… we rocked it baby. Now THIS is how you usher in your 30′s.

We went out for sushi later that night and oh yes, I was 20 weeks pregnant with Xavier so in his own special way he partied with us.

Speaking of Xavier, January was the first time we got to lay eyes on our son and of course was told we were having a son! Prayse got bored and started using the phone to call people… but it was still a great moment, especially to see the look on R’s face when it was confirmed he’d have a son.

But just like always we continued to work hard to achieve what we’d set out to achieve in this brand new year.

February

One of our focuses this year was to make new connections and make sure we cherished, valued and grew current friendships. I’d say we were successful.

March

March was chock full of activities. My Grandma had been diagnosed with cancer at the beginning of the year and in March she was still going through chemotherapy. We made sure that she got the extra “I Love You’s” and cuddles that in reality should be a part of our everyday life. Hopefully we’ve established it as such.

Great Aunt Denise came to visit so we had to show her our stuff.

Big big news – we signed the purchase agreement to buy a new house! We spent 9 months looking for one that could out do this particular one and couldn’t find it so we made the offer and signed the agreement.

We also made our annual pilgrimage to Texarkana to visit the Adams clan. Oh the fun and stories that we always walk away with. Dominoes are a fact of life round these parts. Plus, it’s great to see the look of joy and contentment when R is around his family, at home.

Miss P loves her Nana.

One of the best things about going home is the COUSINS! P is never short on family to play with and she loves having girl cousins to hang out with.

Then of course there’s Honest Charlies. Whaddya mean you don’t trust this guy to give you a fair deal?? He’s HONEST Charlie.

Back at home we continued to do things the way we always do – dance school. You better bring your A game though b/c there’s a very strict teacher.

We have a saying in our house, that we may or may not have borrowed. “Don’t hate. God ain’t through with me yet.” I think it applies here.

April

April was a big month. Hang on to your socks. Not only was April big, but so was I at 32 weeks.

We closed on OUR house! Welcome home Miss P!

Xavier in his room…

Welcome to the land of construction, it started Day 1.

Praysie went roller skating for the first time.

Anything that gets her to hold my hand I’m down for.

There was a little bit of this action too.

We took a family vacation to the Dells with my sister, brother-in-law, and parents. So much fun!

I was only mistaken for a beached whale once. All things considered, I took that as a good thing.

Mini-golfing among the fishies. Some random toast to the baby? Yeah, we’ll go with that.

We came home to more construction of course.

April was also our first “Bring Your Kids to Work Day” experience. P killed it, watch out world.

Easter!

Probably one of the most exciting things for us as parents, because of who we are of course, is that Missy P started her first “season” of track!

There was no stopping her.

May

We had a lot of fun in May! Just being us and hanging out at home really. Prayse started dancing this year, well she always has but this year was with some professional direction

It was fun to watch her at her program. She even performed once out of the three shows!

Rockin out with Daddy.

Xavier was coming soon (this was 5 days before he made his arrival).

So we did all the things that one must do to get ready for a baby! Pedicures. (In my defense, the nesting instinct was full swing, but my house had no floor, construction everywhere, nothing finished, getting painted, no kitchen countertops, my oven was on top of a counter… can we say pregnant lady breakdown?)

Ready or not (and we were not), Xavier decided that he should perhaps make his entrance. This was the morning he was born, while I was at home giving Prayse a bath. I may have perhaps been in a bit of denial, or maybe apprehensive to tell my hubby the news since we were supposed to move into our house the next day, or there may have even been a bit of panic over the fact that I couldn’t find anyone to watch Prayse. So I did what anyone would do, I drew a bath for my three year old and started taking deep breaths.

But he decided he was coming anyway.

One of my all-time favorites from the year.

And suddenly we were a family of four.

After a few days we FINALLY got to move into our house. What a relief, bringing a newborn to an empty townhouse save a few boxes, a murphy bed and a fan… no bueno people.

And we just enjoyed and snuggled our little bundle of joy.

June

June, my first month of maternity leave. June was just about surviving adjusting to a new life with a new baby, Prayse staying home over the summer and being out numbered. But we enjoyed it and each other.

Pretty certain I have the most awesomest family there is. Just sayin.

Of course when you’ve got Ferguson blood in ya, you’ve got to get some good fishing in.

July

Somehow Xavier sneaked out of the newborn stage right into infant. I’m not quite sure how it happened right under my nose…

Daddy showed Prayse how to camp… Raymonn style anyway (two computers, two fans, movies, popcorn, a plethora of snacks… but the important thing is they spent the whole night outside!)

The biggest event of the month? My baby girl turned FOUR. She’s obviously not following our “not allowed to grow up” rule. Don’t worry, we had a talk about that.

We got smarter about the birthday party this year. We at least made sure there was air conditioning near by (unlike last year’s 108 degree birthday party at the park). So we set up the fun at home!

Ya just gotta have your girls, no matter your age.

August

In August we had a lot of fun, took a trip, did some fun things together out back and did NOT involve construction dust. The important stuff

X is having “so” much fun.

Our impromptu family trip to Denver!

I promise you he really does love when big sister holds him… most of the time anyway.

And my lovey girl started a new preschool. Starting a new school is hard no matter the age and I am so proud of her! We’ve had our challenges and adjustments but she’s rockin it.

September

September I started back at work. I figured it would be a little bit easier the second time around, but turns out I figured wrong. Still though, we adjusted!

We made sure we still got some play time in when it was nice out.

And I may or may not have played hooky one day to take the kiddos to Vala’s Pumpkin Patch.

Some friends got married which was fun but even more fun to see my clan all dressed up and looking so good.

Miss P continues to work really hard and do great in school!

October

October was yet another month full of joy and kiddos growing up. They have always been so content with each other.

Truth in advertising, when you attempt to take a photo of my family, 99% of them turn out like this. It’s who we really are at our core I guess.

We met a brand new friend.

And we prepared for Halloween with a toast. “Cheers!”

My baby boy ate his first cereal and turned five months old!

Happy Halloween!

November

November started with construction as we began to demo and re-build the basement (and by “we” I mean a contractor)… surprise! Who would have thought? Construction? In our house?

We managed to have some fun even with all of the construction dust and my OCD kicking in… but fun nonetheless!

Tongue tattoos aren’t the norm at your house? Err… ours either.

We started Prayse in swim lessons this summer and continue down the lifesaving path. My little no fear daredevil needs some skills to back up her spunk!

Date nights are a big thing in the Adams house. The cute couple was on their way for dinner and a movie (Smurfs!).

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

December

December was almost a shock to my system! The year went so fast, like all of them I suppose. But with all of the changes in this past year December wasn’t even a thought on my mind until it knocked on our door.

We had our first (and really only legit) snow thus far. We of course had to take advantage. We being Mama and Prayse, our southern boy still is not getting outside in that snow, he stayed inside with the short boy.

Xavier continues to grow up. For the life of me I cannot get him to stop no matter what I do. I look at this picture and can tell he’s so innocent. Not sure what I’ve gotten myself into with this one…

Our basement was finished just before Christmas. Dare I dream of an end to construction??

Christmas was enjoyed in a few different times/places – but it was with family and that’s all that matters. My big boy’s first Christmas present!

Missy P with the soon-to-be newest family member.

Prayse’s letter to Santa that she set out on the “Christmas picnic” in front of the fireplace.

New Year’s Eve was spent having fun with cousins!

What a year! New cancer diagnosis and recovery, new baby, new house, new job, new friends, new blessings. We are so lucky and so blessed to have each other and the life we live. 2011 flew by with laughter and fun memories. Bring 0n 2012, we’re ready and excited to see what it has in store for us!