i was going to quickly choose one photo from every month of 2011 but ohhhh - i got lost in those photos for hours and hours, remembering and feeling and being in awe of what a full year we experienced. it wasn't an easy year for our family (nor for many people, i realise) - especially not with mumma on an emotional rollercoaster, yikes! but looking back on this year in pictures was happy and healing. we did a lot of living and a lot of loving. and thats good. good good good.
*january we were slapped in the face with the reality of how harshly different this climate is! we literally could not believe the snow! shock and awe and more shock. my dad came for a visit and we all loved having him around...
*february it was cold. we still didn't know what we were doing or how to dress ourselves warmly! we learned (sort-of) to ice-skate, and tried to appreciate the snow for the beautiful thing that it can be...
*march was still bloody cold. and miserable. i was over it! tried to sew my way to happiness...but didn't get far with a little boy who liked to press all the buttons on my machine...
*april - i have never been so thrilled to see the ground again! snow began to melt and some cold play outside was had. i turned 32...
*may came and so did our aussie fam! unky phill, aunty jane and cousin eli...we had been counting down the months to have them with us! so so good to have our people here...we had lots of fun times, including a road trip to niagara falls and montreal...
*june suddenly gave us some heat! warmth! bare feet! strawberry picking! the lake! at this point i began to feel like i could DO THIS. i can live here :) the kids and i started venturing out and discovering so much beauty around us...it felt like a different world almost...uncovering all these treasures we hadn't found before...
*july was jam packed. we had dear friends from california visit, spent every day at the lake or the park, ate watermelon galore, stayed up late and went on a little camping trip in NY to see our bina race her bike...
*august was deliciously warm and we enjoyed a bounty of goodness from our csa farm, sang banjo's song "yay, lake!" on our constant trips to swim, enjoyed daddy being home after a month away, went to the state fair, and camped by the beach in maine...
*september bina came to stay, school went back (boo!), apple picking season began (yay!), we packed up our house in the burbs and moved to the countryside...
*october i had grand plans of getting the house all unpacked and lovely but they soon fell to the wayside as we spent as much time outside as possible, soaked up every minute of my mum being here for 2 weeks, and got to know our new surroundings...just in time as we got a freaky amount of snow right before halloween...
*november was spent sewing like crazy for a craft market, locating snow gear and playing in the snow, enjoying being 'just the 5 of us' after so many visitors coming and going, and a fun fun little trip to NYC to meet our loves the whitneys...
*december was its usual busy craftinglikecrazy-while-trying-to-bring-christmas-cheer! we were so happy to be having a cosy christmas in our new place...snow came and went, the temperatures dropped, we had many bonfires and made an effort to invite new friends over...it was a busy, happy month...
and now, 2012 - what shall you bring to us? heres hoping for lots of love, health, happiness and simple living for one and all...
happy new year :)
Wow, what a busy year 2011 was for you! Wishing you and your little family a happy, healthy, creative, cosy 2012 :-)
Posted by: Anne-Marie | January 01, 2012 at 08:32 PM
You made it! One year through and what a year! This winter will be different for you, better, because you will have the memories of the sun shine, the ground under the blanket of snow and all that offers. You will know that spring will come, the sun will shine and summer fun will be abundant. Rest your way through Jan and Feb while you prepare for the summer fun you love! It can be rejuvenating, that forced rest :) Happy New Year to you and yours x
Posted by: Annwen | January 01, 2012 at 11:18 PM
great year! happy new year to you all!
Posted by: Krulik - Anna | January 02, 2012 at 02:57 AM
Your year looks wonderful! I'm sure it was hard, but looking back like this ii seems lovely. I guess you are in a good place now and that's why you have looked back with fondness. Happy 2012 to you and yours!!!
Posted by: Kris | January 02, 2012 at 03:06 AM
Like the pioneers of old, you forged into a new land and made it through! Hoping this year lets you discover even more wonderful things about your new home and that winter is kind. http://amysreallife.wordpress.com
Posted by: Amy | January 02, 2012 at 04:42 AM
Happy New Year Falconbridge Family!! XO
Posted by: Sherri P eh | January 02, 2012 at 05:36 AM
Hello lovely you always make me LAUGH. yep 2011 was INTENSE (insert aussie slang) BLOODY INTENSE!! Looks like you and the fam are into the groove of the new land and your new pad (so exciting). We are still talking of you here and might see you in 2012 maybe...? whilst you are in town for a family wedding?? here's to a calm and peaceful 2012 im hoping... lots of love to your gorgeous clan. ♥ Em & Co in perth xxxx (finally learnt the love hearts ..yeah for that!) ♥♥♥
Posted by: Emma | January 02, 2012 at 06:27 AM
Awesome re-cap Em, I think I might have to do something similar on my blog...I love having it all in one place like you did here and being able to reflect back. I am knee deep in editing photos from 2011 right now too so I figure now is a good time!
Posted by: Faith | January 02, 2012 at 07:53 AM
love reading your blog, watching your crafting and photos of your cuties! Thanks for blogging and sharing!
Posted by: mustardseed | January 02, 2012 at 08:09 AM
Wonderful year-in-review. You have grown so much and learned some valuable lessons during the past year and you will be able to take that in to 2012 and create a wonderful year for you and your family. Bountiful blessings for the new year!
Posted by: Beth | January 02, 2012 at 10:56 AM
LOVE your year in pictures! Super excited to see what you have in store for journaling - I am going to need some motivation for sure! Big hugs from CA!
Posted by: kristen Van Dyke | January 02, 2012 at 01:43 PM
Happy New Year to you all Emma.
Posted by: Miriam | January 02, 2012 at 02:09 PM
your post just made me cry! what a glorious reflection of your year with your family, I am hoping to move areas this year and hope to be able to show 2012 in pictures as beautifully at the end of it - thank you for your inspiration x
Posted by: Beverley | January 02, 2012 at 02:30 PM
Happy New Year! I haven't found it yet in blogland, until tonight-I too was born in April '79!
Posted by: Heidi Jo the Artist | January 06, 2012 at 07:39 PM
SO beautiful. You have inspired me to do one of the same. I am so glad we were part of your year. I can't wait to see what we get up to in 2012. I love you so much.
Posted by: tara | January 06, 2012 at 09:56 PM
I love your 2011. I am inspired to make my 2012, just as picturesque. Miss you.
Posted by: Shayna Proctor | January 08, 2012 at 10:29 PM