The best of 2011!

Last New Years I did my photographic year in review and while I liked doing a photo based round-up, I figured most of you don't really care what film I prefer or how many photo exhibits I cried my way through. Hah! So, this year I went for something a bit different and just thought I would post pics of my favorite 2011 trips, events and memories. 2011 has been the best year of my entire life and honestly if I tried to list all of the reasons for that, this blog would go on for days. So, here are a few of my favorite things. Enjoy!

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I know this is going to sound really dumb but... the Grand Canyon is HUGE!!!! I always thought that when standing at one end that you could a) see the bottom and b) see to the other side... but both of those assumptions are wrong. This is not just an ordinary hole... it's ginormous! If you haven't been then you need to get in your car and go RIGHT NOW!

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I left Charleston and relearned how to relax. I am definitely missing the friends that I left behind but I am really enjoying the slow pace of Sumter living. No traffic jams, no interstate pile-ups, no outrageous rent... it's wonderful. Yeah, yeah... there's traffic at the corner of Alice and Wise... I hear you Sumter people out there grumbling... only kidding! (but not really)

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We hunted for this arch for 2 hours! Totally worth every minute.

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What a wonderful addition to my (extended) family Simon has been! Not only did my mom and Mark gain a wonderful pet but Jack now has a best friend.

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How did I live for 26 years without an in-n-out burger? I didn't know what I was missing! Matthew and I have (on more than one occasion) tried to figure out how we could get a burger mailed to us. If you live on the West Coast and can help us with that then please email me at jennaleighbrown@gmail.com. Thanks!

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Mark and I ran in a 5k together and not only did I finish without dying but I won my division!! Go us!!

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I won two ADDY Awards this year making that a total of 3 wins in 2 years and I won't lie... winning is fun! I don't really consider most of my personal work to be something that the Advertising Federation would appreciate so it is such a huge honor when they do!

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I just love this baby! Kalea's life might have started out a bit rocky but she is finishing 2011 strong! I love watching her grow and I can't wait until she's old enough to hear the story of her birth and about how hard we prayed for her survival. She is a wonderful miracle and a blessing to everyone that knows her.

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I don't even need to explain this one... just look at that photo! Antelope Canyon is the most beautiful place on earth.

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This is my husband, HeyMatthew. In this photo he is standing in Nevada. It was day 1 of our wild west driving adventure. You know it's love when you can get in a teeny car, in the desert, in the summer, with no snacks or plans and have the best two weeks of your life. Go honeymoon!

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This is actually the first I've really mentioned getting married and for those of you who didn't know... SURPRISE! I GOT MARRIED!! Even though I post and tweet about so many parts of my life, I do have a very private side when it comes to certain things and my wedding was something that I wanted to hold close. I probably won't ever really go into much more detail but I will say that my wedding day was the best day of 2011 and because of that day, this has been the best year of my life. It was really special.

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I hope all of you had a wonderful 2011! I'm headed to Savannah for New Years and leaving Jack Attack with a precious friend from my church. I can't wait for 2012... I really feel like it's going to be a great year! -jb