adventures of an american housewife in the south of france

2011: Year in Review

It's hard to believe that another year has gone by since last year's Year in Review.  I had a rough start to 2011, but it was an important reminder of my mantra, no day but today.  As 2011 comes to a close, I feel very grateful for how this year has turned around and I'd like to share my thoughts with you all. I am grateful for my family.  For my family by blood, my family by marriage, and my family of friends.  I am so lucky to have the love and support of some the best people on this Earth. I am grateful for my two beautiful and healthy nephews.  I just love being an aunt to these two precious boys. I am grateful for my husband and all he does for our family.  I know I got one of the good ones. I am grateful to have lived in the best city in the world.  Yep, I still think it's the best.  Even from Europe, I still miss it every, single day. I am grateful for our home.  We truly love our apartment here in Montpellier, and I'm so happy we found it.  It made the transition to living here so much easier. I am grateful for music.  And that we didn't have to give up a great live music scene by moving to France.  Remember this?  And this?  And did I mention that Radiohead is coming in July? I am grateful for the ability to travel.  I love exploring the world, so visiting all these new places has been so fulfilling.  But I'm also grateful to be able to travel back home for important events and still be a part of the special moments in my loved ones' lives. I am grateful for the opportunity to live my dreams.  Living abroad is something Michael and talked about and worked towards for so long and we are loving every second of it. I am grateful for these memories.  These are some of my favorite pictures from 2011. January:  We have a beautiful beach day with our friends, and realize it could be one of the last for a long while.

Grey Whale Beach: my favorite

February:  The Packers win the Super Bowl!

and we all go crazy!

March:  We prepare to say good-bye to these crazy people.

2061: Bus Party of the Future. the final installment?

April:  My sister has a marriage soirée,

hooray!

and we move across the world.

are we there yet?

June:  After moving across the world, I finally visit one of the most beautiful places in the U.S.

how did it take me so long to get here?

And then we watch these two tie the knot.

my best friend-in-law and his beautiful bride

July:  We celebrate 2 years of marriage,

celebrating in Cannes, France

and start hanging out with some pretty awesome people, who will become our lifelong friends.

photo clearly not taken in July!

August:  My parents come to visit!

at the Luxembourg Gardens

And Michael and I take an epic bike ride.

midnight in Paris

September:  We begin another fun-filled road trip to witness two more historic weddings,

9.4.11, Albany, NY. photo by the talented Käthe Reisgies

9.10.11, Ipswich, MA

but not before securing this important victory.

proof that I cannot keep a straight face

And if that wasn't enough for one month, I celebrate my 30th Birthday in Copenhagen.

old.

October:  My new nephew is born...

Brighton Victor

...just as I'm boarding a plane to Porto. 

Europe's hidden gem

And before it got too cold, we go to Stockholm.

another epic bike ride

November:  We celebrate our first Thanksgiving away from friends in 7 years.

Thanksgiving dinner

And Figgy takes his first Boat Tour in Annecy!

he loved it, obviously

December:  I drink an obscene amount of Vin Chaud at the Marché de Noël.

the Marché de Noël in Montpellier

We take a road trip through Italy,

Firenze

and have our first Christmas abroad.

cozy Christmas

What are you favorite memories of this year? Bonne Année, dear friends!   *PS- read 2010's Year in Review here                    

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