2014 Recap

It takes the flu to knock me down for a couple of days to think about posting some pictures on my blog.  Seeing my last entry was 2 years ago,  I guess it's been pretty busy! Now that I have a high school and a middle school aged child, I'm finding that busy takes a whole new level...

But I have missed this, so I'd like to revisit it. Midst the busyness.  Even if my parents are the only ones that notice (thanks mom and dad!), I'm the one who probably enjoys it the most... looking back at God's grace in our lives.  Counting our blessings. I enjoy capturing bits of memories through photos...so that I don't forget!

Highlights of 2014-

December.

Merry Christmas in our remodeled kitchen.  So thankful.

February.

My most loving husband and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary and for my gift he send me to Florida for a week.  By myself (NEVER done that before). To take portrait drawing lessons with LEE HAMMOND.

It was in Naples, Florida. A wonderful time of year to be in Florida.  After I arrived, I noticed that that even the streets were paved with artwork...

Lee is a wonderful teacher.  I had such a fabulous time and I learned so much to bring home to my own art students.

The lady sitting next to me did not bring a portrait to draw, so she asked if she could use one of mine.  It was fun to see Judah's portrait progress each day.

Here is my portrait I was working on of Asher.

I couldn't quite get it finished in a week, so I end up completing this at home. Drawing for 5 days in a row for 8 hours = SUCH FUN.

In the evenings I could walk along the beach and spend time with my friend and her family.  

So thankful.


More Winter Shots:

 

Asher turned 2 and he moved out of the crib into a bed.

Asher, not Joshua.

Maria and Karol hosted a Colombian meal and presentation for our church family.

It was delicious.  Micah asked for this for his birthday meal.

We had the record breaking snow this year.  Lots of fun to be had by boys.

Sophia finished her 8th grade year at CC. She also joined Orchestra for the first time and went to NYC for a competition.  Meanwhile, she did a bedroom makeover.

From:

To:

Isn't she lovely? For CC, her class did a Mock Trial at the local Court House. Representing the defendant, she was assigned the psychologist.

Her dad took her with him to Boston, a week before her first day of high school. They had a great time together.  This is the closest she got to eating seafood that week.

Meanwhile this guy, Micah John, turned 12 and is trying to outgrow his sister. You'll see by the end of the year, he flies past her.  He's only 12 and his shoe size is men's 12.  Help!

He loves the little ones and is such a helper. Here's Micah and Asher at the Airforce Museum.

Meeting cousin Oliver:

He also was awarded CC Memory Master again.  That means he memorized all the memory work for that year 100 %.  Way to go, Micah!

He really has developed a passion for cello this year.  His 'chore' of practicing became a love and now I need to remind him to focus on other subjects too!  He joined his sister at orchestra in the fall.

His first Orchestra Concert in his handsome new suit.

Playing music with Aunt Nancy.

His first day of Jr High. CC Challenge A.

Joshua. 10 years old and full of life

And energy.

He's my guy that I need to stay on about getting school work accomplished. He'd rather do so many other things. He is so creative though.  The younger ones are always having great times with him building forts and whatnots.  Here's where I found them one day:

The roof of my van.  This was a happy sight for the homeschooling mom, though.

Because we have been involved mostly with music, organized sports has been on the back burner.  So, we decided to try to sign up the 3 boys for soccer. Well...we tried. The boys gave it a good shot, but they discovered they have to be really good to keep up with the boys that have played since... probably birth.

Judah James.  He turned 6 and is such a sweet spirited, affectionate little guy.

Sweet boy.

Asher Steven.  The caboose.  2 years old and loved (and mothered) by all.

We had the privilege of going to our favorite place...the beach.  Hilton Head, Lake Huron and Lake Michigan.

We go to HH with dear friends we've known for years.  We're so blessed by their friendship.  Such fun times.

My parents were able to join us at Hilton Head this time.  I think we convinced them it is a pretty marvelous place.

On our way home, my parents and Sophia and I stopped at the Biltmore Estate. It was my first time visiting. AMAZING.

I love my parents.  They are wonderful grandparents too.

Meanwhile, all the boys got home to very tall grass in our backyard, and look what they found?

Michigan.

Lake Huron was freezing cold.  But that didn't stop them.

We spent some time in Ludington.  The sand dunes were so much fun.  The boys loved jumping of the sand cliffs and rolling down the hills.

More fun memories with friends.

Mr. Dugan (he's like a second dad to me) came for a visit:

Rabbit Hash.

Sipping Sarsaparillas by the Ohio River.

Summers with lots of picnics and badminton.

Then there was Italy.  That will be a post by itself.  

Freedom Center Civil War Tour in December. 

 Notice Micah's height.  He's just beat my height now too.

During Festival of Lights this year, the kids tried to reenact the pose that was made in 2008.  They look slightly different!

More fun at the zoo with friends.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!