A BIG post to end the year!

fell asleep playing with my rings and reading a book

The last day of 2011, wow...this has been a year full of lots of learning, growing, exploring, etc.  Luckily I have this blog to help remind me of all the fun I've had.  My last post of the year will be chalk full of pictures.  Why you ask?  Well after 800 miles of travel and lots of family time, I had to capture it all.  As a matter of fact, mom uploaded 300 pictures from the past week!  Don't worry, I won't share them all....but there will be a LOT!  Here are the highlights:

Building with Will

1. I did great with all the driving.  Grandma Janice hooked me up with some CD's so i could listen to some fun music in the car when I woke up.  But I slept probably 2/3 of all of our car time.  Not too bad.

Ahh...some food AND a head massage, it doesn't get
much better, thanks Bailey!

2. I finally got to go see Uncle Matt's new cabin...not only did I get to see it, we stayed there our 1st night.  After checking out the place and playing with my blocks with Will, some Connect 4 with Bailey, Jay, & Gabby, and running from scary Jack I finally headed to bed.  I picked out the room with the crib....sweet!  I slept like a baby.  A real tired baby....as I slept the longest ever - till 8:30!!  It was AWESOME.  Mom says we get to stay there more often if I am going to sleep like that.  Maybe when we go back in May.

Aunt Rachelle helped me out with this apron/bib!

with my pretty cousins Bailey, Siera,  & Danielle

3. Christmas Eve with the Steffen family was overwhelming, but I definitely had more fun than last year.     I tried to be nice to everyone, but it was hard with so much going on and moving around.  Also, those boy cousins with the long hair are scary!  Mom says they are not and they love me just as much so I need to be friendlier next time we visit.  Sorry, I will try better.  I did have fun opening presents, of which I got some cool stuff a few of the things incl. my first doll and buggy from gma & gpa, a catepillar and hat for my doll (hehe...my head was too big) from Bailey, and a Dora ball pit from my godfather Eric.  I have had so much fun playing with them already!  I had Zach's name, so I gave him some scratcher tickets (I had to have dad go buy them for me).  Zach had to choose between scratching the $20 tix or $40 cash...he went for the chance to win thousands.  I don't blame him....it was fun watching him, until I looked behind me and saw Santa was there!  Wow...he came to Hartington again?  Will & Jay really were happy, but I thought I made it clear earlier this month that I really don't want anything to do with him.  Where do I have to go to hide from this guy?  It was a long night, with lots of activity so needless to say, I stayed up past my bedtime.  Eventually, I gave in to the sleepiness and crashed on Eric.  He was so warm and comfy!

All the grandkids opening presents from Grandma & Grandpa

hmmm...what is this?

grandma's attempt at getting a pic with all the grandkids

Having fun playing cards

Notice mom's extensions....she was playing with the cousins.
Dad liked it, she said she felt like Rapunzel, whoever that is.  

cheering on Zach

4. Christmas morning grandpa came and got me up, which I am totally OK with as I have so much fun with him.  Then I saw a present Santa left for me...a new car.  It is pretty sweet, I have figured out how to get on and off and now can can push backwards.  I had a lot of fun trying out all of my new toys all day.  We went to go to Aunt Rhonda's farm...but instead played inside and checked out a couple of cows across the street which I thought were cool...and HUGE.  I guess they were mommy cows.  I am told next time I get to see the other 7500 cows.  That is a LOT!

TEST

Too cute not to kiss!

5. My time in Lincoln with Grandma Janice was a blast.  She gave me some cool toys and a TON of books.  We had fun doing a lot of reading.  We went on some walks because the weather has been so nice, and she even bought a new wagon for me to use when I visit.  It is fun, I could open the door to go in and out and sit on the benches and it is super comfy.  We even took it to the park one day....of course Marley joined me for the ride.

I may have got a hold of the camera...see mom, I told you I needed a kleenex!!  Yes, I have a slight kleenex obsession, I'm sure a video will follow sometime soon.

What no drinking and driving?

AND no texting???

Mom says this is my ballerina move....

 

my first spin on a merry-go-round

6. We had lunch with Grandpa McLain, I was a bit cranky...sorry Gpa...but I enjoyed some chicken fingers and even got to open a present from him afterward.  Man, I feel like a lucky girl.  I got an Abby sit n' spin.  I haven't fully figured it out yet, but have fun with it with the help of mom!  

7. I got to see other people in Lincoln too.  The twins Anabel & Eloise...they are getting big...and of course their mommy, Sarah.  They were super friendly and nice enough to share all of their toys with me.  Mom says I still have some learning to do about sharing and being nice...I guess that can be my resolution for the new year.  Dad showed up with my favorite..Runza and after putting that down, I started warming up to them and being more friendly, but then mom said it was time to go because everyone had to nap.  Boo....naps.  I also got to go over to the Noecker's one evening, where I saw everybody including all the Rothe and Pinkelman kids!  Per usual, it took me a while to warm up.  But after hanging out in their rocking chair (I discovered I really like chairs on this trip), and Tess being persistent and bringing me her toys to play, I finally warmed up.  Before long you couldn't get me to stop giving kisses to Norah & Tess...& Missy their dog!  : )  Unfortunately, as I have been this entire trip, I started to get mighty sleepy so I didn't get to stay all that long - mom took me home to spend some time with grandma and off to dreamland.  Which I was definitely ready for.

Giving Tess a hug.

Can you find my doll?  I turned my carriage into a catch all as we unpacked after getting home!

I'm trying to get in on Avery's claim to Evan.  I even gave
him a bear hug tonight.  I think he likes me, he even
has a pet name for me.  Millie.... I like it!

8. Today being New Years Eve (although you wouldn't know with the 60 degree weather!)  I got to get together with some friends to celebrate the upcoming New Year.  We just celebrated a few hours early, because really...who needs to stay up till midnight?  No matter what....when I wake up tomorrow it will be 2012!  Thanks to the Ungles for having us over for lots of fun!

Dad was really impressed with my ability to put together Mr. Potato Head

I made myself a chair out of the cooler!

All in all, I had lots of fun to add to my year of memories...but I am glad to be at home in my own bed and look forward to what 2012 has in store for me.  Thank you all for making 2011 a great one!  Amelia OUT!