As we jump headfirst into a fresh, spanking new year, I thought it would be fun to look back at 2011. Every moment of every day was certainly not picture perfect, but gosh darn it -- we made the best of it all!
Enjoy the ride...there is nothing profound here, it won't change your life, but sometimes its fun to sneak a peak into someone else's world for a minute!
January -- Connor was lucky to be a part of a fantastic 1st grade class at Holy Spirit School. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to photograph the class on several occasions and interview the students to write a book about how special and unique they all are. The book was auctioned off to help raise money for the school. It was seriously fun!
February -- Blizzards are incredible...when you are 7!
February -- And, sometimes blizzards result in gorgeous weather for the snow days that follow! Connor and our neighbor, Jenna, catch air while flying down the Doyle Family luge run in their backyard (across the street from our house). Now that's a thrilling way to spend your snow day!
March -- It was fun to cheer our nephew, Nate (12), and his Lumen Christi Titan hockey team on at the state quarter-finals game; but sad to watch him step off the ice for the last time as a Titan after their loss.
March -- We enjoyed watching Disney on Ice at the Van Andel Arena from a suite, front and center for all the action...complete with glow sticks!
March -- Brava to niece, Sarah, for her acting debut with Sparta Middle School!
April -- Spring Break in Longboat Key, FL...ahhhhhhh, nothing but sunshine, surf, and shells!
April -- My favorite photo of the year! The Gulf of Mexico was gorgeous for our Spring Break and we all enjoyed every second we spent basking in it. Connor loved riding the waves on his boogie board. Pure Joy!
April -- A late Easter this year provided gorgeous weather...we were all contemplating golf after brunch! Here is Connor with his cousins, Rachel, Sarah, and Reagan.
May -- Connor played Coach Pitch Little League this year with his dad as a coach. It was such fun to watch his skills develop...and so exciting to see a solid hit or catch.
May -- We cheered for nephew, Nate, as he graduated from Lumen Christi High School...my how time flies!
June -- We gathered in Grand Rapids for the Fitzgerald Family Golf Outing this year and celebrated my brother Mark's first victory as the Cup Winner! Apparently when he had surgery earlier in the year on his spine he scored some kind of bionic golf implant because he beat the competition with room to spare!
July -- Since we had those SWEET red, white, and blue tee shirts from the Family Golf Outing, why not wear them while celebrating Independence Day on the beach with fireworks and family?! Made sense to us! We were treated to a spectacular sunset over Lake Michigan, lovely fireworks over the water from the City of Pentwater, and an up-close, incredible firework display compliments of our neighbors on the beach! Not to mention our own sparklers! Whoopee!
July -- We kicked off our traditional summer vacation week (just the three youngest Fitzgerald's and our three kids, we've done this since the year they were all born!) at Memaw's house by tubing on Lake Pentwater. Connor and Reagan had a blast, and so did their cousin Ryleigh!
August -- Our neighbor's had to postpone their backyard wiffle ball tournament due to bad weather, but that didn't take away from the fun when game day arrived! Connor was once again the honorary bat boy for The Westwinde 5 -- and their team went on to win!
August -- A whirlwind trip to Chicago took us to Wrigley Field for Connor's first Cubs game! The monsoon-like downpour that drenched Connor and Mo also left us with a case of the giggles as we dashed through downtown streets that were flooded, while Rick waited it out at the restaurant!
August -- Connor and I even dragged Rick away from work for a few days at the beach splashing in those gorgeous Lake Michigan waves...and dinner with Memaw and Papa at the Pentwater Yacht Club. Excellent vacation that went by way too fast!
August -- We welcomed nephew, Kyle, home from his tour of duty in Afghanistan with the Army National Guard when his in-laws hosted a party at their farm in Reed City. Three of his Fitzgerald aunts are pictured here with Kyle...we embarrassed him with lots of smooches!
August -- Suddenly my sweet baby boy is a 2nd grader! Welcome back to school, buddy!
September -- We all cheered as my sister, Marcia, and Dave made it official and joined their families as one on the beach in a touching ceremony. Congratulations!
September -- ArtPrize! Connor and I toured the art twice this year...here he is seconds before this Top Ten contender became attached to his fleece jacket...in front of the artist. We had a tense moment as I instructed him to walk straight forward...and keep on walking right on out of the GR Public Museum! When we returned a few days later with his cousin we noted that there was a barrier surrounding the piece to keep people from recreating that drama! :-)
September -- Fall soccer...
September -- ...and football. Connor with friends Joey and Jack on the sidelines at West Catholic during a flag football game.
October -- We celebrated Connor's birthday a week late with a corn maze and hay ride celebration...and chocolate cupcakes!
October -- We had an Angry Bird in the house for Halloween this year!
November -- Connor and Reagan invited their cousin, Mark, (he is an Army Veteran who served a tour of duty in Iraq and one in Afghanistan) to a special ceremony at their school on Veteran's Day. Love that those red, white, and blue shirts made another appearance! Classic!
December -- This conversation between Connor and Santa looks very serious! I'm happy to report that he did make an appearance at our house this year after all...Connor must have done some fast talking when they visited at his school pancake breakfast fundraiser!
There you go, its been one heck of a year! Thanks for sharing in it and for continuing to check in on my blog. Every writer needs readers...and I truly appreciate you!
