This year has been pretty action packed for our little family. We were blessed to go on a variety of trips this year. James and I were fortunate enough to join in the celebrating of our friends, Eddy and Patricia’s, marriage down in sunny Las Vegas in April. In July, my sister took the girls on their first trip without me to Oregon for a week. They met a new friend and had a blast down there! In June, Chelsea, her mom Jeanie, the girls and I got to run away to La Push for a girls weekend. Chelsea, Jeanie and I went to La Push almost every year since we were 8-years-old and we absolutely loved it. We were so thrilled to share the experience with the girls. Later in June, James and I slipped away to wonderful hotel in Bellingham. We enjoyed the little town and its beaches. We learned how to make soap while there. In August, James and I took the girls for their first trip out of the country to Canada. We took the Victoria Clipper up there and enjoyed a double decker bus tour, a horse drawn carriage tour, an under water aquarium and our hotels huge swimming pool. In October we drove over to eastern Washington and had a great time visiting James Uncle Dave and Aunt Bonnie. Bonnie took us horseback riding and spoiled us with her amazing cooking. Dave got the girls their very own fishing poles and took us out fishing. And finally, in December, we got to go to beautiful Leavenworth with Chelsea for the lighting of the town and some sledding. Another yearly trip that Chelsea and I did growing up and were so excited to continue the tradition with the girls. In between all of this we also squeezed in four hiking trips, a day of kayaking, which was a first for all of us and the girls first Kids run.
James broke a sales record at work this year and also got Salesman-of-the-Month several times. Unfortunately, he did roll his jeep during an off roading trip but he has upgraded to a v8 Grand Cherokee and is now ready to break it in on the trails. We are glad he came home safe and injury free.
Kaeli is 8 and enjoying the 3rd grade this year. She continues to excel in her academics and just about everything else that she tries. She has a deep love for animals, an also loves to read, ride her bike and just about anything else active. When the weather improves we plan on training to run a 5k together.
Chloe started the year out by losing her first tooth. Chloe is 6 and is in the 1st grade this year and is improving her reading skills daily. She loves to draw and is very good at it. Chloe has really gotten in touch with her girly girl side this year and loves doing her hair, her nails, and is known to switch outfit various times throughout the day. That’s right; she is 6 going on 16.
As for me, I accomplished last year’s New Year’s resolution of doing a running event each month for a year. I also started school in September and after some adjustment feel very good about it and I am excited for the next quarter to start.
That only sums up half of the fun we had this year. We are so blessed with the wonderful family and friends that surround us. We are very grateful for our warm home, full tummies and our health. Cheers to 2011 and may 2012 be even better!
