Goodbye 2011

This past year has been a great year for our family.  We've grown in size, we've created many new memories, and shared special times with family and friends that we won't soon forget.  We are sad to say goodbye to 2011 but excited to see what the upcoming year has in store for us.

Here are the Top Ten things we will remember about 2011.

10. Trips to the Beach and Gee Gee's

Once again we spent our fair share of days and nights at the beach, and although I argued it every time we spent many nights eating at Gee Gee's.  The last time it even helped me go into labor.

9. The Slatt Bistro (as Ed calls it)

This is the new addition to our spare bedroom that we created for Caden's Birthday.  It's our saving grace throughout the Winter months.

8. Lazy Summer afternoons in our backyard

Our backyard was the spot where we spent many hours playing homerun derby, random football games, playing with the blue "Big Ball", playing with the new swing set, exploring sink holes, building a new fence that took MUCH longer than planned, and watching Mommy and her big belly waddle around all summer.

7. Trips to the Airports

Caden fell in love with Pop Pop and Ma Maw's plane this year and cannot get enough of it.

6. Caden Talking

Someone once told me that if I enjoyed Caden when he was 1 turning 2, that I would love it even more when he was 2 turning 3 because he could talk.  He's only been 2 for a month and we just cannot get enough of him blabbering away.

5. 4th of July and Turkey Trot

Once again this year we made it to our annual 4th of July Celebration at Gee Gee's and our annual Turkey Trot run.  Both were just as memorable as they have been in years past.

4. Jackson's Nursery

This was a long and painstaking project for us... well mostly Ed, but it was absolutely worth it.  We love this room and our special little boy that is in it.

3. Caden's Music and Gymnastics Classes

This is something we've wanted to get Caden involved in for quite some time, and we finally did it this year.  He loved music class and was in class this Summer and the Fall.  He started gymnastics this Fall and is quite the show off.  He has demonstrated his skills to Mi Mi and Paw Paw and Tay Tay and Poodie.  

2. Ed started Grad School

After many years of debating going back to school and researching different programs Ed has finished his first semester of Grad School.  He is attending Penn State World Campus and is working towards his Master's in Engineering Management.  We are very proud of him and all the opportunities that will come because of his hard work. (We are excited for him to finish so we can selfishly have him back in the evenings too. :)

1. JACKSON!!!!

Without a doubt the best thing that happened to our family this year was the arrival of our sweet baby boy Jackson. He is an incredibly precious little man who brings joy to our lives each and every day.  We also are so thankful for the amazing relationship that Caden and Jackson have developed.  Caden is a great big brother and loves spending time with his little brother.