our year in photos...

So I have to admit...I love watching all of the countdown shows that are on this time of the year. The Top 10 news stories of the year, the Top 25 songs of the year...It doesn't surprise me. I love reminiscing about life in general. So, to roll in the New Year, I thought I'd make my own list-my Top 12 memories of the year (one for each month):

January:

Keaton turns 6! To celebrate her birthday, we took her and her two best friends to Alvin and the Chipmunks, The Squeakuel, followed by a trip to Dairy Queen. These 3 together are just the best. They crack me up and I can't wait to see them continue to grow up together!

February:

Me and my best friend, Angie. About every 3 months or so, I go to Colorado and we spend a weekend scrapbooking, watching movies, eating, shopping (though mostly scrapbooking). On this particular trip, we decided to take some pictures for a little 'break'. Some of us two, but mostly of her, Rich and their dog Baxter. I cherish these weekends!!!

March:

The Hastings Children Museum. I love this place and so do the girls. My mom and I took the girls for an afternoon of playtime. Love watching their imaginations at work!

April:

Wow. April was a busy month...we went to the zoo in Omaha, celebrated Easter with lots of family, celebrated my birthday...but the photo I picked was from Mallory's birthday party. She turned the big 3 this year! (And is as cute as ever!)

May:

Love her or hate her, I am still proud of the fact that on May 1st, I went to a conference in Kansas City where I got to meet and take a photo with Sarah Palin. I also got to see Fred and Jeri Thompson, JC Watts, Kris Kobach and many others. It was a great experience!

June:

Finally! It is done!!! We had our Open House for our studios! We had been working hard since October of '09, cleaning and renovating to get ready for this day. So fulfilling and so proud!

July:

Celebrating our freedom in this amazing country with my family (extended family too!) was definetely a highlight of July 2010. 4th of July in Blue Hill is always such a great time...so many fun activities and traditional celebrations to enjoy.

August:

Keaton's first day of 1st grade. She was so excited!!!

September:

Mally's first day of Preschool...she was so excited and so ready!
(PS-I could do an entire post on Mally's injuries this particular month...notice her slightly black eye...)

October:

October was blessed with the two cutest little witches in all of the land...8 ) (Don't worry, those aren't marks on your screen, they are itty bitty worts, lol)

November:
See here for my favorite November memories in photos (sorry, my photos are on my other computer!)...

December:

Celebrating Christ's birth (thank you Lord!) and....watching Mally hula hoop. It is seriously the cutest and funniest thing ever. A Christmas present from Aunt Jodi (her godmother). So blessed this Christmas.

Whew! That was harder than I thought...we made so many great memories this year, many that I wanted to include! Soccer games, VBS and school programs, dance recitals, weekend trips, date nights, book club and Bible studies, crops and classes, midterm elections (smile), visits from extended families, holidays....the list could go on and on but rest assured-they are documented. Well. 8 )

Oh-one last photo. One of my absolute faves of this year (yes, I am cheating).



Happy New Year!!!! God bless you in 2011!!!