1. Our trip to California in March/April. 
This return home to visit family and friends was fabulous. 
We saw lots of people, enjoyed quality time just hanging out at the park, the beach, or in Great Grandma's living room, and Jocelyn happily survived flying with 4 children by herself! We hope to return in 2010 but only time will tell if that's gonna happen...
This return home to visit family and friends was fabulous. 
We saw lots of people, enjoyed quality time just hanging out at the park, the beach, or in Great Grandma's living room, and Jocelyn happily survived flying with 4 children by herself! We hope to return in 2010 but only time will tell if that's gonna happen...2. Jocelyn's Nana, Jeanne McCambridge, passed away.
This meant a trip to Ohio on Mother's Day where we had a great time celebrating her life and being together.3. The Elonen's moved to Georgia from Arizona. We thought
it would be years before we'd get to see them again but surprise, surprise...wanting to be closer to both sides of their family, they moved to Georgia. It's so nice having family nearby. We spent the 4th of July, Halloween, and Christmas together (not to mention plenty of your everyday playdates just hanging out!)
it would be years before we'd get to see them again but surprise, surprise...wanting to be closer to both sides of their family, they moved to Georgia. It's so nice having family nearby. We spent the 4th of July, Halloween, and Christmas together (not to mention plenty of your everyday playdates just hanging out!)4. We adopted Cocoa, a 3 month old puppy.
We were told she was a black lab mix. We've since decided she's part horse. She's huge! She's becoming a great dog if only she would stop chewing up wooden toys and stuffed animals and any food related item she finds...5. More travels...in August we drove to Erie, PA 
for a Skelly family gathering. We went to the Creation Museum, camped in Erie, spent a day at Niagara Falls, rode horses, picked zucchini, went to the lake, saw lots and lots of family. What a trip!
for a Skelly family gathering. We went to the Creation Museum, camped in Erie, spent a day at Niagara Falls, rode horses, picked zucchini, went to the lake, saw lots and lots of family. What a trip!6. The Longs came for an extra long visit as they prepared for their big move to North Carolina.
A year after moving to Georgia we get not one but two families relocated near us, woo hoo! Our kids couldn't be more thrilled to now have all 17 of their cousins living in the South.7. School! 
We've continued homeschooling but this was the first year we had to tell the government about it! It's official - Jason's a 1st grader - and we are required to turn in monthly attendance records now. Despite this red tape, we're loving homeschooling and will continue indefinitely.
We've continued homeschooling but this was the first year we had to tell the government about it! It's official - Jason's a 1st grader - and we are required to turn in monthly attendance records now. Despite this red tape, we're loving homeschooling and will continue indefinitely.8. Andrew's company, in order to downsize, let him go.
Just over a year since they relocated us across the country, they let him go. It was a shock but he's been ready for a change for awhile. We're excited for a new job, new challenges, and new experiences (we're just hoping with so much family now here that we don't have to leave the South for it!)9. Loving having daddy home full-time, we opted to travel a bit :) We spent Jill's 1st birthday in NC, 
then took a trip to DC in early November, and finally spent an extra long Thanksgiving back in NC. We're feeling a bit spoiled to have so much freedom but taking advantage while we can!
10. And finally, at 14 months Jill started walking. It's amazing how that instantly ages them out of babyhood!
then took a trip to DC in early November, and finally spent an extra long Thanksgiving back in NC. We're feeling a bit spoiled to have so much freedom but taking advantage while we can!10. And finally, at 14 months Jill started walking. It's amazing how that instantly ages them out of babyhood!
Really, all the kids had big advances this year. Jason and Beth both gave up training wheels 
while Adam perfected the tricycle and scooter. Jason's reading. Beth is learning to read quickly and becoming quite the artist. Adam - what a year - he gave up his pacifier, became potty trained and then took his first class this year at our homeschool co-op. I know it's cliche, but they grow up sooooo fast! Here's to savoring every moment in 2010!
while Adam perfected the tricycle and scooter. Jason's reading. Beth is learning to read quickly and becoming quite the artist. Adam - what a year - he gave up his pacifier, became potty trained and then took his first class this year at our homeschool co-op. I know it's cliche, but they grow up sooooo fast! Here's to savoring every moment in 2010! And looking forward to sharing it all right here :)
They've been rehearsing for weeks after church, and we've all been listening to the songs over and over (Andrew and I could understudy any role :) Fortunately, the songs are all scripture so if I have to get a song stuck in my head, at least it's the Word of God!
Beth was part of the halo express choir 
and a sheep...see her there under the white cloth? No, me either... 
They did a great job, all the kids in the show. There was a lot of talent to be seen that night. Best part...Jill slept on my lap the entire time so I could relax, sit back, and enjoy the show!
One problem - Jill does not wear hats! 
We tried and tried and tried and tried. 
We finally gave up...
met at someone's clubhouse, gave thanks, and ate! 
John deep fried one of the turkeys (we had three turkeys and a ham!)
What are you most thankful for? Everyone wrote on a post-it and put it on our wall posters. (See it there beyond Anja & Jill?) We had everything from my family to legos to I don't know! 
As for me, I'm thankful for my husband, my children and the peace of the Lord, Jesus Christ, which surpasses my understanding but gets me by day after day!
The leaves are beautiful on the trees and soooo fun as their falling and piling high! Capitalizing on their love, we spent some time learning about leaves and how to use them to ID trees. They now recognize maples, oaks, magnolias, and others (I must admit this was all new to me, too. In California I could only ID palm trees :) Together with some friends we visited a local nursery where we had a variety of trees to compare. 
We learned to use keys to identify the trees. 
We then did leaf rubbings, leaf collecting, pressed some leaves and created a leaf person. 
We even planted acorns we collected so we can grow our own oak trees!
And to finish, we're putting together a great tree notebook with all of our creations. Now we just have to patiently wait for spring so we can learn about flowers. I can't wait!
and voila...beautiful pumpkins! There were four pumpkins but Jill's didn't get carved so here's what we've got - 
Adam wanted a funny pumpkin and picked this face from a bunch of samples...
We showed him a youtube video of Jack Skellington after the pumpkin was carved...we couldn't believe he picked that face while wearing that shirt but he didn't really get it, he just liked his pumpkin. The irony was lost on a three year old.
Beth liked the dog face pumpkins and helped Andrew create a design that would look just like Cocoa...
It doesn't show up very well until you add the candlelight!
And here's Cocoa to show you just how much it looks like her - mostly in the ears :)
Jason couldn't find the design he wanted so he drew his own creation on paper - a one-eyed mean mouthed spiky nose jack-o-lantern. He got exactly what he drew. Yea, for independent creativity!!!
Pour Jill didn't get her own pumpkin since we were done after three but the candle in Adam's sure enticed her...
And then there's Jason...we didn't have the shirt but here he is at one year old.