something else that caught me by surprise

Is how much fun it is to watch your kids be parents.

They tend to be better at it than we were--their expectations are definitely more realistic. Maybe that's a good thing about having little brothers and sisters?  They came into parenthood already knowing kids are nuts?

I don't know.

But the year is nearly over, and it's actually been a very fine year so far.

He was so delighted with that one inch of snow we had a couple weeks ago.

And this little peanut for 2011, what a girl she is.

I hope 2012 will be just as fabulous as 2011 has been.

I know you already know this, but we love you. love, MOM and DAD