As 2012 quickly approaches, I thought it would be a good idea to look back at 2011 in photos to see what the past year has been all about.  Enjoy!!

MSO Gala at MSU Riley Center in January where we ran into LB!

Getting cozy on Valentine's Day after a day trip to Vicksburg and Jackson in February.

Enjoying the Blue Angels at Wings Over Meridian in March.

Celebrating Easter with my family and my home church in April.

Celebrating Cinco de Mayo at San Marco's with Abby in May.

Our first self portrait picture after celebrating our two year dating anniversary at The Rustler in May.

Mom and I went to see Abby's big debut in Hairspray at MLT in May.

Father's day at Kemper County lake with dad's side of the family in June.

Sowell beach vacation in Florida the first part of June.

My surprise 30th birthday party at The Denney's the last part of June.

Fun times at Dalewood Lake with the Van Doren's during the 4th of July.

Celebrating Terry's birthday at Ross Bridge Resort in Birmingham in July.

A little reunion with amazing friends at The Veranda in Starkville in August.

Ran into Kate at the MSU vs. LSU at Starkville in September .

Eating at Diamond Jim's in Livingston with the Van Doren's in September.

Right before the classes of 91 & 92 reunion at Weidmann's with the Van Doren's in September.

Piper's 4th birthday party in Birmingham this past October.

At Rachel's art show in Meridian in November. 

The night we got engaged in Birmingham in December. Best night of my life... so far. =)

Can 2012 top 2011?  I have no doubt it will.  However, 2011 will be remembered forever as one of the best years of my life.  2012 comes with a wedding, a move and wonderful memories to be made.  Bring on the New Year!

A visit with Lindsey in Memphis

Today has been a long day, but a great day.  We got on the road early to head to Southaven to have lunch with our favorite news anchor and friend, Lindsey Brown.  You might remember Lindsey from some of my past posts and this late summer, she took a job with Action 5 News and moved to Memphis.

It's been five long months, but we finally got a chance to hug, chat and dine with our favorite news anchor today at Huey's!

While we were dining, she wanted to all the details of the night we got engaged and then surprised us with a gift for our wedding... champagne.  

We loved the atmosphere at Huey's...

After lunch we said our short lived goodbyes to take in some shopping in the area and a few hours later went to Action 5 News to watch LB's news cast, live!!

On the set with Jarvis and Lindsey.  They make a great team!

During a break... check out this set!!

Lindsey, we had a great time catching up and seeing your new office and teammates!  Everyone was so very nice and welcoming and we can finally give you the thumbs up for making the right decision to join their team!  We miss you, but we will see you again soon!  PS  — Terry said next time we want to ride in the chopper!!!  =)

Top 10 Recipes of 2011

These are new recipes that I tried in 2011 for the first time.  They are yummy and easy to make!

•Loaded Potato Soup 

    Perfect for those cold dreary nights where you need something to warm you up.

•Louisiana Chicken Pasta

    This spicy dish is always a hit in this house.

•Sweet Tea

    Sweet tea is a southern staple, but this saweet tea will have your "drinkers" talking for days!

•Baked Ziti

    Makes a lot and perfect warmed over the next day.

•White Chocolate Cheesecake

    This is homemade and better than The Cheesecake Factory.

•Tie Dye Cupcakes

    Perfect for a night of family fun in the kitchen and great for kid birthday parties.

•Toffee Topped Bars

    A sweet and easy treat for office parties or small get-togethers.

•Oven-fried Chicken

    You'll fall in love with these oven baked chicken fingers.  

•Garlic Butter Bread

    Why buy the expensive garlic bread in a box when you can make your own.

•Blueberry Pound Cake

    Dress up your normal pound cake with blueberries!

Any of these recipes are sure to be a pleaser with your family or guests.  Enjoy!!  

CHRISTMAS 2011

Is it just me, or does Christmas seem to come around quicker these days.  I'm pretty sure we just celebrated 12 months ago, right?

This year we celebrated like we have in years past.  We had Christmas Eve dinner at my parent's house with my mom's side of the family and opened gifts.

Then Christmas day we went to my papaw's house to celebrate with dad's side of the family for lunch.

Christmas night, we went to Terry's parents for dinner and Christmas fun.

That about sums up our Christmas festivities... Hope you and your family had the Merriest of all Christmases.  Enjoy the rest of 2011!!

The future Mrs. Sowell

December 17th started out like any other day — we slept in, had breakfast and decided to get ready to head out shopping.  We ate at Johnny Rocket's at the summit and then walked around stopping in and out of stores to see what was on sale, etc.  Terry called and made reservations earlier that day for us to have dinner at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse.  We had been wanting to try it, and Saturday was the day. 

The day was pretty much perfect.  It was just he and I all day.  He even let me listen to Christmas music (I should have known something was up) and was even willing to fight the masses of people and no parking spaces to take me to the Cheesecake Factory for lunch.  Of course, after seeing the wait line and the non existent parking spaces and the fact that I was starving, we went around the corner and shared a burger and cheesy fries at Johnny Rocket's.

The afternoon of shopping went by quickly and it was time to head to dinner.  Ruth's Chris was actually in a hotel and we were a few minutes early for our reservation.  They seated us right away in the middle of the hotel under trees and next to a waterfall.  (Yes, I now realize I should have taken a photo.) The food was yummy, but the company and conversation was the best part. 

During dinner, we talked about going to see a movie, but I was a little exhausted and suggested we stop at a redbox and get a movie to watch in our pjs curled up on the couch.  And being in Birmingham, we had no clue where a redbox was.  So after dinner as we were walking back to the truck, I was downloading the free redbox app to find a location near us.  He opened the door for me and as I was trying to find the closest redbox near the house, he was suppose to be getting me a "tooth picker."  Sexy, right?  LOL

The next thing I know, I'm starring at a stunning, sparkling, huge diamond ring.  My eyes met up with his and he said, "I want to know if you will spend forever with me?"  My eyes got watery as I told him YES!!  I'm pretty sure I've left out some things because I still feel like it's a dream, but as I sit here and stare at this amazing ring on my left ring figure — I know it's not a dream. 

The view from head on...

The side view...

I've been blessed to have the most amazing boyfriend for almost three years and now I can say without a doubt he is the most amazing fiancée, ever.  I can't wait to be Mrs. Terry Sowell for the rest of my life! 

Happy Birthday DARBY!!!

The year 2011 will be known for a lot of amazing memories for me, but one of those is meeting this chick here in blogland. 

This is Darby and her husband, Phil with "Santa."

Darby has one of those personalities that beams through her words, photos and recipes.  She has become one of those people who I love to share EVERYTHING with and I'm so thankful for her amazing friendship and advice as a married couple.  We share a lot of interests (in no particular order): loving our doggy babies, loving and caring for our men, a love for cooking, a love for our families, a love for photography and a love of the big man upstairs!  And we know one day we WILL meet!  =)

I hope today is full of everything wonderful and special for you on this day Darby!  May you be gifted with life's biggest joys and never-ending bliss.  After all, you yourself are a gift to earth, so you deserve the best!  Happy Birthday!!

Italian Night

Last night, we made it an Italian night.  The younger kids got to help with the homemade pizza.  We had homemade spaghetti sauce and noodles, homemade pepperoni pizza and breadsticks.

The Gingerbread House

Piper and I have been busy making Christmas goodies and working on her 1st gingerbread house of the season.  We bought the kit at Target and I guess you would say for the price, it held up to it's value.

As you can see, she took this decorating thing seriously.  And although it is partially falling apart, it's still pretty cute and a work of art by the little four year old herself!  Fun times!