New Year's Eve

Well 2011 is coming to and end tonight.  I find myself reflecting on the many memories made this year.  2011 has been a good year for us.  We are looking forward to what is in store for us in 2012.  I'm sure there will be plenty of ups and downs, but I know that with my best friend by my side our family will make it through anything that God sends our way.  Here are some of the things that marked 2011 in this Rowe house.......
January we became and Aunt and Uncle and cousin when Derek's sister Allison and her husband Andy had their baby girl Aniela. 
February, and March were fairly quiet.  We spent a lot of our free time getting ready for the birth of our second child.  We had quite a bit of snow this last winter, and had some fun out in it with Mallory.  I think this winter will be even better if it decides to snow one day. 
April was truly a blessed month.  We welcomed our second baby girl on the 19th Jaclyn Jade!  So things in this house became a little more hectic with a new born around.
May we celebrated Mallory's 2nd birthday and the changing weather.
June found us outside a lot more installing a new fenced in play-yard and shelter for by the pool.  At the end of June we then decided it was time to move from this home of ours and build.  With Derek's schedule being so crazy at work and all the time he spends traveling to Columbus there just isn't time to make the improvements we would like to the house and spend time together doing family things.  So we talked to Dad about building back on some of his ground.  He said sure and thus we began our plans.  June 27th also marked my last day of employment with Heidelberg University.  I officially became a stay at home mommy to my two gorgeous baby girls.  Withing 24 hours of announcing I was home and looking to babysit I could have had 3 kids to watch (had we lived back Tiffin way, this is another reason we want to move back).  I will be able to babysit, and we will be a lot closer to be able to help with the farm.
July found us having a great 4th of July party with many fabulous friends we swam and had good food and enjoyed everyone's company.  Of course July is also fair month and we made many trips over to Seneca fair meeting up with friends, and doing our Farm Bureau duties that we have come to love doing over the past several years. 
August found Derek working lots of overtime, and his three girls were missing him like crazy, so we made a trip to Columbus for the State Fair, and the girls and I packed up and camped at Delaware State park for a long weekend so that Daddy could see his babies a little more than an hour before bed.
September came and went quickly in fact I really don't know where that month went at all.  We made a trip to the Farm Science Review with Dad, Thomas, and Ivory
October was a great month even though it flew by so quick too.  We got a new sister-in-law as my younger brother Wayne got married.  Derek, myself, and Mallory were all in the wedding and Mallory walked down the aisle at St. Joe's church beautifully.  She had her momma in tears of joy and BURSTING with pride.  We love Aunt Jenn and can't wait for her to be done with her residency so she can be around a little more. 
November began the holiday season and for many people around this area harvest.  Although some began in October many didn't get in the fields till late after having a VERY late spring...we would be one of those.  Derek and I celebrated our 5th Anniversary on the 24th and I have no idea where those 5 years have gone!  At the end of the month my youngest brother Thomas decided he was picking up and leaving/moving out to Indianapolis to live with his now fiance.  This threw a bit of a wrench in the family as corn still had not been started and it was getting to be cold out and my parents only heat with wood.
December has found us doing a lot of corn harvest and traveling from Tiffin to home as we are trying to help Dad out on the farm as much as we can.  Between Wayne, Jenn, and us there are lots of miles being accumulated, but we are getting things done.  Now if only Mother Nature would cooperate.  We finally got the house put up for sale so now we have a new prayer and hope that we can move our home so that we can get closer to the farm so things can get done a little easier.  Christmas has come and gone already and it was a great time for us all.  The girls apparently were very very good this year in Santa's eyes and we are swimming in new toys, and clothes.  But are blessed to have families that love us all the way they do. 
As this year comes to a close I am thankful for the life that we have and those that are a part of it, both family and friends.  I hope that this evening is fun for all and finds everyone in good health and happiness.  Remember be safe and Here's to a great 2012!  HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!