A Year in Review: 2010

I hardly know where to begin in describing the blessings of the Lord this past year! As 2011 gets underway, I will try to give you a glimpse into our 2010, through a few of the many photos taken throughout the year. Enjoy!



2010 started off with several feet of snow. The kids used our sledding hill to its fullest!



In February, we enjoyed our annual “Superbowl” party. Clockwise from front: apples with caramel dip, strawberries and grapes, meat and cheese bouquet, chips and salsa, Grandma’s bambinis, pepperoni bread, football cakes, buffalo chicken wings, mozzarella sticks, carrots and celery (not pictured: Reuben appetizers and bacon cheddar cheese puffs.)



Celebrating the arrival of my new constant companion: my Canon Rebel XSi!



Our family toured the one and only “Jiffy” factory in Chelsea, MI for Josiah’s birthday in March.



In April and May, our family spent two weeks traveling beautiful Virginia. Our journey took us across Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, all over Virginia, and even into North Carolina.



Most of our family in front of Mary’s Diner in Virginia. My Dad ate at this restaurant when he was a boy and his family visited Virginia.



My siblings and I in front of the Governor’s Palace in Colonial Williamsburg.



Our knights in shining armor! Ben and Josiah try on armor at historic Jamestown.



Roma and Josiah lost in the grandeur of the Lincoln Memorial. We knew Abraham Lincoln was tall, but not tall enough to need stairs THAT big! J



Ben and I standing next to a chart that shows how much money we would be worth if we were measured with $100 bills. At that time, it appears we were about $1,537,800 tall!



Ben was especially excited to visit Ford’s Theatre. Here we pose with a statue of Abraham Lincoln.



This is probably as close as we’ll ever get to the White House! J



We enjoyed many flights with Dad throughout the year. Some of our stops were: Grayling, Houghton Lake, and Jackson, MI.



Many picnics with our church family throughout the spring and summer were a highlight!



Bianca and Daddy on a special outing with the youth group to celebrate those graduating from High School.



We enjoyed SO much produce from our organic garden this year! Bianca looks forward to improving their garden and making it even more fruitful in 2011!



Our organic garden. Left to right: three tomato varieties, cucumbers, zucchini, patty pan squash, and pumpkin (not pictured: pole beans.)



This is Lovey and her 5 kittens. Lovey “adopted” us when she showed up on our deck in July. She lived on our deck for about a month before a friend of ours took her into her home so that Lovey could give birth to her five little ones: Chloe, Iggy, Honey, Lola, and Winky. They have all been adopted into good homes! Praise the Lord!



Another highlight of this year was having Dad, Bianca, and Ben run together throughout the summer. They all competed at a racing festival in August. They look forward to continuing running together this year.



My beautiful grandparents celebrating my Grandfather’s birthday with a family party.



We adopted a yellow lab named Mikey this fall! He has been a good dog (generally speaking J) He still has lots of puppy energy, but he is excelling in training. He is such a lovable guy who knows how to pull off the “puppy face” REALLY well!



It isn’t truly fall until you’ve visited one of the many apple orchards in Michigan!



Turning all of the apples we picked at the orchard into applesauce, apple butter, and freezing apples for pies is a big job! It’s a good thing we all helped out.



Visiting the famed “Big Mac” bridge that connects Michigan’s lower and upper peninsulas.



“I may look nervous about my first half marathon, but I’m just freezing to death in these shorts! It’s the end of October for Pete’s sake!”



“Now this is more like it. My first half marathon is behind me, and I have a cozy fleece on. Muuuch better!”



Hard at work preparing shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child. This is one of our favorite Christmas traditions.



The finished boxes!



We enjoyed attending a “Messiah Sing” performed by a group from our community at a local church. It was very well done!



We immensely enjoyed attending the Northridge Christmas show! We highly recommend it for anyone who lives nearby.



One of our favorite family/advent traditions: driving around in pajamas looking at Christmas lights!



Meeting the musical group, “Selah” at a Christmas concert.



One of our family Christmas gifts was going to see the new Narnia movie together!

 

Christmas morning!



Enjoying a good movie at Abuela’s house.



We love our cousins!



More cousins!



And there you have it folks . . . 2010 in photos! We look forward to seeing how the Lord will work and bless in 2011!