This year I got lazy with our Christmas cards and omitted our annual holiday letter where I brag about how great my kids are and all the fun things we do all year long. Lucky you, I am going to post it here instead. To save trees. Or maybe I just didn't have the time or energy this year. But let's say it was the tree thing, okay?
Where has this year gone? We really didn't even do that many exciting things but I feel like our life was jam-packed busy! We are definitely lucky and blessed to be parents to the two most adorable and lovely and sweetest little people on the planet. Everything else is secondary. But all the secondary stuff has been great too. Love, health, family, friends, travel, fun, it's all been there for us and we are a happy group this year!
We kicked off our year with Brian's 4th birthday in January. He wanted a bouncy house party again and had a blast with his friends. He is the sweetest big brother in the world. He loves his sister so much and takes on the role of teacher, friend, and playmate with her daily. He has lots of patience for her and is very rarely jealous or mean to her. We really hit the lottery in the big brother department! He is also a super active boy, playing t-ball in the spring and soccer in the fall this year. He had a blast playing team sports and was a great teammate. He started his last year of preschool in the fall and likes going to school. He has become more interested in crafty things at school and now enjoys drawing stick figures of the family. He's a smart little guy and his teachers have never complained about anything except that he is loud. Not disruptive. Just lacks volume control. But we knew that and we love him anyways! He's a super fun little guy and growing up way too fast, I can't believe in January he will be turning 5 and heading to Kindergarten in the fall! Yikes!
Emily celebrated her first birthday in April. We celebrated with a small party at the park and she dug right into her birthday cake. Emily is very very very talkative and is a little parrot. She is already speaking in small sentences and tell us what she wants/needs on a regular basis. She knows the name of all her snacks and will tell you exactly what she wants, like "cookies," or "crackers," or "bumblebee nummies" (honey nut cherrios). She loves her big brother and wants to play with him and his toys all day long. She freely gives kisses and hugs and cuddles. When she is not cuddling, she is running everywhere and climbing everything. Actually, I was told today that she is "very active" but both our kids always have been so I don't really know any different. She does have her moments of assertive independence (mini tantrums) if she doesn't get her way but they usually pass quickly and she is back to her normal self. She is fun and sweet and wearing me out most days!! I can't believe she turns two in 4 months! 
This year we took a few small trips: Tombstone, Tucson, Flagstaff, and California several times. Plus one big trip to Virginia to see Steve's family there and Steve and his Dad took a few days in South Carolina to fix up our house there for new tenants. The kids enjoy running around on the farm and seeing the cows. Brian loved playing in the water at the "Big Rock."
In November, Brian took his first trip without Mom and Dad to Colorado for his cousin Grace's 4th Birthday. My mom met us at the Phoenix airport and scooped him up and away for the weekend. He had a blast playing with Grace and going to Santa's Village. He still talks about it all the time and he didn't even miss us!
This is our last year in Arizona as we should be moving in the summer or fall of 2012. Steve found out recently that he is an alternate for ACSC, an Air Force school that is equivalent to a civilian Master's Degree. ACSC is about 10 months long and there are 5 or so different school locations, all starting in the summertime. So, we could be moving to school this year. Or not. But we dodn't have any idea when we will know. It could be very last minute. This Air Force thing is always keeping us on our toes! If he doesn't get school, then we are up for a new assignment anyways at some point this year. So, stay tuned to the blog for updates!
All in all, a great, laid back year for the Hurt household. Lots of good fun times on trips and watching Brian play sports and enjoy school and watching Emily grow and turn into a busy little person.We are looking forward to a visit from Steve's parents and sister right before Christmas and then we are spending Christmas right here in our own house. Nice and relaxing with no travel involved! We are also looking forward to celebrating our 10th Wedding Anniversary in January and a trip to Hawaii in February!
If you want to get completely caught up, check out the blog achives on the right sidebar. Oh and also, I'm back to sewing the purses, check out my new website for that, www.flightsuitglam.com.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We hope this finds everyone happy and healthy!
