2011 Tribute

If you didn't get our holiday card this year...

..It's because we didn't make any.

It didn't quite make it to the top of my priority list this year.

Having a newborn, I chose sleep instead, silly me.

Crossing my fingers for next year.

But I LOVED getting all of yours.  They are all on my fridge, where they will remain for many weeks to come because I miss you all so much.

2011 was the craziest, most uncertain [at times], challenging, wonderful, most traveled year to date.  

And I loved it.

Our moves across the country looked like this:

We have loved living by nearly every member of both the Smith and Poulson families at some point during this year.

We loved living in Las Vegas and celebrating Jack's second birthday there.  He hit so many milestones this year: potty training, moving from his crib to a big boy bed, learning all his letters, shapes, colors, and numbers; and speaking in full sentences, constantly. He'll be three in just a few short weeks.

The Army then took our little family to Fort Benning, GA - my first experience of southern living.  Once I accepted the humidity and ginormous cockroaches that could fly I absolutely loved it.  We also traveled to Savannah, GA, Tybee Island, GA, Hilton Head, SC and Nashville, TN in the 6 months we lived there.  I still miss the southern summer thunderstorms, the "yes, ma'ams" and the gorgeous greenery.

Harrison completed a lifelong goal of his - Ranger School. 

Watch this video so you know how studly he really is.  Ranger School is one of the hardest schools in the Army and he did so well, I am so proud of him.

While he was there, Jack and I spent a few months with my family as we welcomed the best part of our year, Fisher Vaun into the world. He is such a sweet, cheerful baby.  Harrison missed the birth by 36 hours, but we have seen many blessings come from that experience for which we will always be thankful.

Now we have ended 2011 in our new home near Fort Lewis, WA.  Unlike when we lived on-post in Georgia, we're about 10 miles south of the military base in Lacey.  We are loving it here, and even more excited that all of 2012 will be spent under the same roof.