Goodbye 2010!

It seems I've started a new tradition. I am always so wrapped up in the Christmas holidays (parties, gifts, baking etc.) that I just don't think to do Christmas cards until after Christmas. It seems the right time. I can feel the closing of the year, the urge to thank all my family and friends for all that they have done for us in the waning year, to wish everyone a wonderful new start to the next. So I'm sticking with it. In the serene quiet of my house before the girls wake in the last couple of days of the year I can reflect in peace over how great this year has been, how blessed we are.

This year we had many firsts and lasts, moving from Colorado to Dallas. We had our last session with Workshop, which has been a staple in our homeschooling for years. We were very sad about that, but we are thankful for all the wonderful memories and opportunities we had to grow with the friends we have there.

We had our last bike ride to downtown Denver to enjoy ice cream with friends at Little Man Ice Cream. We had our last stroll through the garden we planted, our last visit to Bear Creek with all of our dear friends there, our last hike through Matthews/Winters park. Well, we do hope to go back to some of those things, but it was the last time it would be there calling it home.

We had our first homeschooling experience in Texas with a wonderful group called Homeschoolers East, which we have been so fortunate to find. In many ways it is what I had envisioned many years ago when I considered what a homeschool 'group' should be. The people have been wonderfully kind and wonderfully consistent, encouraging and talented. We are grateful to have found such a group.

2010 Highlights include:
The 3rd annual (for us) 2010 Evergreen Plunge (and dinner at Beau Jo's afterward!)

Our largest ever Easter Day Scavenger Hunt, which grows more and more elaborate every year.

Our own bees swarming, which was quite an adventure.

Many many fun times with our Workshop group and our friends in Colorado.

A spring trip to Texas, where Zana rescued a turtle.

David's mother and sister visiting Colorado the week that we moved. Fun times!! (Remember the trip to Woody's in Golden?)

Moving to Texas

Britton visiting us and getting to spend time with Pop-pop, Kelly, the boys and their family out in the 'sticks'. :)

Lots of fun park days with Homeschoolers East.

Piling all the cousins we could get into the car and heading down to Brownwood to see 'Annie'.

Several fun trips with Dad! We went to Lubbock, Austin and Wichita Falls several times and stayed at the hotel, swam, ate, played and learned!! And OH, that trip to Austin. *sigh* Loved it.

Barton Springs!! Say no more!

Manaw and Poppy got us a membership to the Fort Worth Museum of S&N that can also be used all over the nation!! We've been using it lots!! What a gift!

Alan & Doty visiting us and visiting them in Coleman. (Alan and Doty RULE!)

Hopping in the car and heading down to Houston for Josh's birthday!

Several trips to Coleman and Abilene to visit. One great day visiting my aunt Judia.

Camping with HSE!! That was pure Grade A 100% fun, can't wait to do it again in April.

A super wonderful awesome Thanksgiving. The best one ever. I got to be home with my momma and whats better than that??

The play, OH the play. 'Alice in Wonderland' was a wonder to behold!!

Waking the girls up at 2am and making a cozy bed in the grass so that we could lay down and watch the Winter Solstice eclipse. THAT was amazing.

Several impromptu visits with Stef & Tyson, Grandma and Poppop, Jach & Yvonne (&kids), Brian and Amy, Dad and Kelly, Manaw & Poppy, Camille & Joy, Nana & Jasmine, the Kemper Cousins, Mat&Amy&Erin, countless friends and family. Each one was a highlight! We have missed everyone so much and it has been so nice to get these special little visits and to see all the kids growing up.

There have been so many things happen this year, as they do every year. We can only hope that the next year brings more marvelous things into our lives and more of those moments that make life SO worth living!! :)

Happy New Year everyone!

Love from the Jones family.