2011...A Great Year!

Every New Year's Eve, we take time to reflect on the year's past (here's 2010) to think about the good, the bad, the big, the small...This is the first year in sometime that I don't have a baby to announce or a move across country or a job change.  Those are obvious top ten events and we have none of those for this year.  It was a very simple, no big deal year...and I LOVED it!  It was a great year for being together as a family, for building relationships, for travel both near and far.  We were healthy, happy, and content.  So while there may be no big events, there are plenty of memorable events and changes that we want to remember from 2011.  Here goes...
1.  Local travel...we are a homeschooling family, and while we've learned that life is most sane when we spend a good amount of time at home in a simple routine, we do get out for exciting day trips.  Thanks to homeschool discounts, we went to Sea World and Legoland twice!

We are fortunate to have memberships to the Discovery Science Center, the Santa Ana Zoo, and LA Natural History Museum (thanks Grandma). 

There were many fun days there.  And then there are the many visits to parks, nature centers, beaches and the lagoon!  There is so much to do that it's amazing we are ever home!

2.  Big Travels...Andrew traveled to Korea back in February/March for work.  This was his third trip in a year!  He enjoys the culture and his time there, although being there during the Japan earthquake was a bit unnerving for all of us!  Fortunately, it had no effect on him, South Korea, or his travels.  Praise God!

3.  Big Travel for the rest of us...Everyone but Andrew spent 5 weeks this summer in North Carolina!  It was an amazing vacation where the kids were able to spend time with all 19 cousins. 

We celebrated birthdays, attended VBS together, shot fireworks, and Jason got to go camping with Grandpa and Duncan.  We even traveled to Myrtle Beach and back to our home and friends in Georgia. 

Five weeks turned out to be a bit too long to be away from Daddy so I don't know that we'll do that again but the time we were able to share with our family was priceless!

4.  Our extended family experienced major events...Cyrus James was born to the Longs. 

The Elonens moved from Georgia to Idaho (now that they're on the same coast, we're hoping to see them next year!) 
And Great Grandma Mae turned 93.

It is such a blessing living closer to her and my parents and cousins and aunt and uncle...I am blessed with family!  Great Grandma even spent this Christmas at our house...priceless moments!

5.  We did experience a loss this year.  In fact, this was the first memorial service our children attended.  Our dear friend Ben Keenan passed away this summer from a battle with cancer. 

He was a father figure to me and a role model to all.  I am honored that he introduced me as one of his daughters, when he wasn't calling me Josh :)  He was a very special man, a servant of God, Grandpa Ben to my children, and a treasure that is greatly missed by all. 
2012 will miss your presence, Ben, but your legacy lives on in all the lives you touched around the globe!
6.  The other down moment this year...Jill broke her leg.  We knew when she first opened her eyes at birth that she has osteogenesis imperfecta like so many in my family.  Fortunately, she is coordinated, determined and strong.  Unfortunately, she is still mildly more fragile than your average spirited little girl and a strange twist on some wet leaves in the grass led to a spiral fracture. 

Thanks to a beautiful pink cast, she endured the experience well.  She even enjoyed a weekend at Myrtle Beach in that cast (fortunately, it came off the next week cuz it was a bit wet and sandy :)

7.  Duplos...What could be so memorable about Duplos?  It may seem silly but this was the year of the Duplo at our house.  We have this little alcove in our upstairs hall.  It is the perfect place to store Duplos.  The hall has now become the place where all four kids play with Duplos....every...single...day!  There may have been a day or two that were missed, and maybe not all four kids played every day, but those Duplos were played with so much more than I ever could have imagined. 

We've had battle scenes, castles, Angry Bird setups, planes, rockets...everything you can imagine has been created...this last year...in our hall...with Duplos!  You would be amazed what three square blocks can become in a child's imagination!  Occasionally the boys will play with Lego instead and maybe next year we'll graduate to Lego but maybe not...

8.  Jill grew-up...Ok, I know she's only 3 but what a year it was for her!  She gave up her pacifier (and naps!)  She was potty-trained...twice! Yes, thanks to her broken leg happening right after our first successful potty training session, we got to do it twice.

I know she has a lot of growing up left to go but no more baby in this house...

9.  Kid's activities...Jason finished his first year of piano.  We were disappointed that his teacher was no longer going to be giving lessons but Jason has continued practicing on his own this year, and he's planning to join the homeschool band in the next year or two...what instrument...that is still to be determined :)  Beth did not want to take piano and chose the alternative - violin.  She is loving it, and we are all enjoying learning about violin and string instruments.
Adam played soccer with me as his coach.  This was hilarious. 

I had no idea what I was doing but it was fun, I got my exercise, and despite me, Adam improved his skills.  He's really fast with a ball, and I'm hoping we can encourage him to play again, although he's not a fan of being in the spotlight.  Next year will be Jill's turn for activity as she starts ballet and tap this month.
10.  And last...ummm...sooo many to choose from.  There was our weekend in Big Bear where there wasn't quite enough snow and Jason ended up with stitches from jumping on the bed.  But there was also a visit from Papa and Anja, gymnastics, swim lessons, our neighborhood playdates, and what about the church Christmas Program with all four of my kids up on stage singing their hearts out!  How do I conclude such a great year?  With praises to God!  Because all of this says - I am truly blessed.  Glory to God for all of it, and here's to getting closer to God and sharing Jesus in 2012 through all that we do every day! 

Happy New Year from the Skelly Family!!!