Is 2011 really almost over???

WOW! Is 2011 really almost over??? Only a few more days and a new year will be upon us! Hard to believe where we have been this past year and where we are now. I have loved every minute of 2011 (even the bad parts) and am so excited to see what 2012 has in store for my family. Here's a run down of our year in pictures (hopefully not so many words LOL)

January: We started off living in Italy still (had lived there since 2009)

February: My husband, being the best husband EVER, gave me the greatest gift I could have ever got. He bought me a plane ticket back to South Dakota where I am from to see my Mom. All my siblings were there with their families (minus a few people) and it was an incredible 3 days!!!

March: We went out one night and decided to take a drive. Where did we end up? Florance!!! I couldn't believe it myself. We have been wanting to go to Florance and I must say it is a fabulous place to visit. When I think of Italy, Florance is exactly what I think about. The Italians are very friendly, there is so much to do and see, the food is incredible and the picture taking is ENDLESS!!!!

April: The girls had "wear trash to school day" to teach them about recycling since everything in Italy is recycled. I made super cute newspaper hats and the girls painted them and I also made newspaper skirts to go with them. They were the cutest kids in the whole school! I was one proud Mama! Also in April was Easter. My girls had to wear their Italian scarfs they had gotten and it is a good thing they did, it was just a tad chilly out that morning.

May: We went to Lake Garda, one of the largest lakes in Italy and also one of the most well known lakes in Italy. We loved going here because there were rocky beaches and it was so shallow that we didn’t have to worry about the kids going out in the water too far.

July: We were on a constant go this month. Because we knew we were leaving Italy soon (for good) we wanted to get all our last minute trips done. We went to Croatia, Lake Fimone, Jesolo Beach, and Venice. Our Garden was finally producing a good amount of vegetables. We even got to see all the fireworks! This would have to be the best month of the year!

August: Our last month in Italy. Super sad days came during this month. However, our last Italian meal was AWESOME!!!!

September: We moved back to North Carolina and purchased our first home! It is very exciting to now say we are home owners. We love our house and it is in a GREAT location.

October: My Mom was able to come out and visit us and help us move all our boxes in and unpack. It was such a huge help to have her here. While she was here we went down to Myrtle Beach and also hit up the Octoberfest on post. The kids went on just about every ride. They loved it (and so did my Mom).

December: Here it is, the end of the year. In December we went to the Great Wolf Lodge in Concord, North Carolina (Best Place Ever). I also started a new JOB!!! That is why I haven’t been on here much. My work hours are really crazy since I work for a Child Care Center and by the time I get home I just want to sit down and do nothing. I am trying to get back into the swing of writing though. I have missed my Hub Pages! There has also been Christmas with lots of food, family, friends, and of course presents!

Dear 2011,

You were such a wonderful year to me! I am so sad to see you go but I do have to say that I can’t wait to see what your next of kin has to offer me. I see lots of trips to the Beach, many visits to family and friends, a Washington DC vacation, maybe even a Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in the coming year. Thanks for being such a wonderful year (even with your bad parts). I’ll never see you again!!!!

As Always,

Cassy Lu