2011 the Highlights in Pictures

Jacob turned 5. He looks underwhelmed by it all.

Sam and Joshua played basketball.

We celebrated Valentine's Day.

Space laundry came to our house.

We made the whole house a Star Wars set.

We took a Saturday field trip with favorite friends.

L to R: GiGi, Maggie, Brigid, Jen, Nick, Sam

We spent Spring Break with Granddaddy and Grandmama.

We played checkers at the Marbles Kids Museum in Raleigh.

We decorated a garden bed.

We recycled!

Joshua and I went on a date to the symphony and heard classical guitarists from Barcelona!

We saw Rio, and Jacob pretended to be Blu for weeks on end.

Abuelito gave Jacob a percussion lesson.

Abuelita helped the boys decorate eggs.

We whacked a pinata--the perfect activity for a family of boys!

We ate raspas (Mexican snowcones) in Brownsville.

Here is Jacob enoying a raspa with his beautiful tia.

I launched a new blog! It was a very, tiny launch.

Jacob graduated from preschool.

I got a new camera for Mother's Day. I dream of learning to use it.

We planted a garden, which would be in focus if I knew how to use my camera.

We went to Chattanooga and visited the aquarium.

How gorgeous are these men of mine? Somebody fan me.

We celebrated Daniel's birthday with a surprise weekend visit from friends. We went swimming, grilled out, heard live music at Centennial Park, and ate at a Brazilian steak house, yet we have only this photo of the boys playing with Legos. 

We had Anne Ortlund in our home when she visited our discipleship group one week.What a privilege! I took a picture.

We played laser tag.

Sam turned 11 and celebrated with his friends.

I enjoyed a luxurious girls' night at the Opryland Hotel as we celebrated my BFF Stephanie's birthday! 

Jessica, Stephanie, Jen

Joshua turned 9!

There was swimming to be done.

And candles to be blown. And birthday hats to be worn.

We went to the beach.

We took a picture with an ice cream cone. Because why wouldn't you? It's a huge ice cream cone. 

 We took a beach family photo. (My mom is cute.)

We had all of our wood floors redone, and then nine days later the water line to our refrigerator exploded. It was awesome.

Jacob started kindergarten, and Joshua returned to our local school 

as a fourth grader after two years of homeschooling.

Sam started his third year of homeschooling. I can't believe he's in fifth grade.

We took a field trip to Safe Haven Family Shelter.

We watched tadpoles become teeny, tiny little frogs. 

(Thank you Jessica and GiGi!)

We attended an award ceremony when Jacob and Joshua were both selected from their class to receive a character award for exemplifying "Respect." We are so proud of them! 

I spoke at our women's retreat and was refreshed by the time away and the fabulous women of Immanuel Church.

Joshua performed "Ghost of John" at his Halloween play-in.

We lived at the Residence Inn for a week while our floors were refinished. Again.

We celebrated Halloween with friends.

L to R: Joshua, Mathilde, Andy, Jacob, Ethan, Sam, Nick

I hiked for the homeless with Cora, Brigid, Liz, and Barbara!

We celebrated Mom's birthday in N.C. with my brother Scott and my niece Heather.

(Hi Skip! Hi Heather!)

We gave thanks for this turkey at Mom's. It was gooooooooood.

We also gave thanks for family.

Mom, Terri (my sister), Scott

Dad got a Macbook Pro and e-mailed his first digital photo. 

This is my dad (L) and my Uncle Charlie, who still skydives and base jumps. For real.

We welcomed another Christmas season and decorated another tree.

We spiced up our Mexican nativity sets with Lego figures.

Joshua read and twisted his hair while the rest of us decorated the tree.

I didn't mind.

SMOOCH! SMOOCH! SMOOCH!

The Cortezes arrived from Texas with suitcases full of food.

I took photos so you could see for yourself.

Tio Milo helped the boys build model airplanes. Joshua tried a new hairdo.

Santa came!

He brought books, as always.

Okay, okay. He also brought video games.

Jacob showed off his yoga poses for Tia Claudia.

Our Christmas Amaryllis bloomed. And it's a new year.

Happy New Year!