It's the end of 2011... and what a great year it has been at the Bird house! I haven't updated my blog since July (gulp!), so it's time before the year gets away from me!
Since July, we've had a few major events and changes in our lives, but mostly for the better. In August, we enjoyed a week in Branson, Missouri with the Tiedt side of our family. We had a GREAT time.
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| Ellery's first official boat ride |
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| Creighton and Ellery. It was HOT HOT HOT in Branson the week we were there, so the lake was the best place to be! |
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| Our family at the Landing |
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| Getting ready to board the Branson Belle |
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| Part of the reason for our extended family vacation was to celebrate Grandma and Grandpa Tiedt's 60th wedding anniversary. |
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| Enjoying our big bathtub! |
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| Creighton's first go-cart experience. LOVED it! |
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| Daddy loved it as much! |
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| Jessica, Grandma, and Samara. So funny! |
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| We attended a Kansas City Royals game on the way home. Fun! |
Creighton turned 3 in August and celebrated with a Toy Story party at our house. He had a great time celebrating with family and friends. Here are a few highlights!
The same week, Ellery turned 6 months old, and she was baptized. What a blessing that was for us!
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| Ellery and her Godmother, Tara. |
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| Ellery and Great-Grandma and Grandpa Ellison |
I took some pictures of the kids - for Creighton's 3rd birthday and Elle's 6 month birthday. They are still my favorite subjects!!
In August I was offered a full-time position at a local school in the education department. I love my job there. I was very sad to leave Clarinda Middle School, the staff, and the students, but the move benefited us on a number of levels. I can still look forward to having my summers off, and I will still work there in the summer as a substitute teacher for a little extra spending money. I've been able to tap into an entire new field - social service related - and I like it so much. The Academy opens door for me to use skills that I've put on the back shelf for a long time. I'm teaching lifetime skills to at-risk youth, and I'm in a support position in education, and it feels good to be needed there. I also have worked as a behavioral intervention specialist (individual counselor), and I enjoy that very much also. It's all good!
The fall came and went - it was a beautiful season that lasted well into November. What a blessing that was - to be able to get out and enjoy the leaves and the beauty of God's creation. I think it was the most beautiful fall I can remember. Halloween was a lot of fun this year...
The Christmas season was extra special this year - it really takes on a new meaning when your kids are old enough to understand. This is especially true for Creighton - he knew it was Jesus' birthday, and he also had fun because Santa really spoiled him this year.
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| Ellery - 8 months - before one of daddy's first basketball games |
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| Creighton at his church Christmas program |
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| Creighton - age 3 - celebrating Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa Milius' house. |
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| Creighton got a shaving kit from Grandpa & Grandma Tiedt for Christmas. He loves it! |
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| Ellery and mommy on Christmas Eve |
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| Our family after the Christmas Eve church service |
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| Ellery on a mission! |
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| Ellery and aunt Sierra on Creighton's new scooter |
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| Creighton asked for a train and a baseball... and Santa heard him! |
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| Ellery opening presents |
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| Christmas day 2011 |
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| Ellery 9 months |
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| Ellery is a joy - she's still such a happy little girl, although we are starting to see a little more spunk in her steps. She'll be walking soon... and is working on tooth numbers 5&6. It's pretty fun watching her grow up! |
This is a very quick summary of our last few months... and a great way to conclude 2011. As I type this, we are 20 minutes from 2012 and I have so much to be thankful for. I pray that 2012 is full of as many blessings for us. 2011 was a great year!
In closing, I'm not sure I've decided on a resolution for the new year, but here is something I want to remember in 2012:
Thank you, God, for blessing me with my husband & children. Lord, You called me to this job, and I thank you so very much for my most precious gifts. When things get hectic, remind me to be joyful. Remind me to nurture my family in a way that can only come from a personal and very real relationship with You. You are the vine. Amen.
Love this. Love you. Love your family. Your last paragraph is such a good thing to remember, it’s something that I aways need to hear. :)
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