Year in review 2010

The first notable thing for me in 2010, as far as I remember it now anyways, was receiving my full time position at the Bulkley Lodge in January. It has been such a blessing to have a regular schedule and not have to rely on those early morning calls for shifts, and the uncertainties that came with being casual. Benefits are nice to have, too!
We also took a weekend trip to Terrace as a family, and at the end of the month, Curtis was hired to take photos of the Olympic Torch relay coming through Smithers.

In February my Dad turned 65 and retired from his job. It would have been nice to go down and celebrate his retirement and birthday with him, but it didn't work out. We signed Isaac up for gymnastics on Saturday afternoons, which he seemed to enjoy.

In March Curtis was busy preparing for his photo exhibition at the Smithers Art Gallery in April. Isaac continued with school and gymnastics. On the 31st, our newest nephew was born to Curtis' sister, to be given up for adoption to his brother's family. Welcome to the family, Nathanael!

April 1st brought Curtis' friend Dan for a weekend visit and Curtis' exhibition opening reception. On the 7th, I flew to Alberta to attend my friend Tracey's wedding, which was on the 10th. On the Tuesday evenings in April, I took a stained glass class, which I had won from Heartstrings earlier in the year. It was fun, and my 'masterpiece' now hangs in our bedroom window.

In May, Isaac started outdoor soccer. My parents came up the week of his birthday, and helped with his swimming party. At the end of that week, the 5 of us took a little trip to Prince Rupert, and stayed at a Bed and Breakfast there called T.all Trees. It was fun, and we enjoyed a walk in the park behind the B&B, among other things. That week went by all too fast, as it was so busy, with me working some of the mornings and planning Isaac's party. Next time they come to visit, I'll try to take more time off work!
For my birthday, Curtis and Isaac took me out for dinner the night before, and then Curtis threw me a surprise party the evening of. Thanks Curtis, that was fun! Then on the 26th I got to go out for dinner again, this time with my mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and a friend. Again, thanks!

In June we had fun with end of school activities, like Primary Games Day and a field trip, soccer tournaments, and the end of gymnastics.

July brought Vacation Bible School, swimming lessons, and Curtis' photo exhibition at the Museum of Northern BC in Prince Rupert. The opening reception was on the 16th, so we spent another night at Tall Trees, taking Curtis' Mom with us. Isaac enjoyed a few play dates with cousins and friends as well through the month.

At the beginning of August, Isaac took a little trip with Farmor and Papa (Curtis' parents) to Terrace in their motor home, which he quite enjoyed. The next week, our friends Keith and Cynthia came for a quick visit, on their way to the Queen Charlotte Islands for a camping trip. We took a couple of day trips to visit some local lakes - Doris, and Chapman - while I was on vacation, as well as heading back to Prince Rupert to take down Curtis' exhibition on the 16th. Some other friends who had planned to come for a visit that week were, in the end, unable to come, but we had Mike and Geralyn and their kids over for supper one night. Keith and Cynthia stopped by again on their way home, and showed us photos of their trip. I'd like to go to the Queen Charlottes someday, too.
Towards the end of August was our local Fall Fair, for which Curtis had helped design the prize book and pamphlets, and in which Isaac entered one of his LEGO creations, winning 3rd prize for his category. Curtis also took lots of photos at the fair. That week Isaac was also in a day camp through the town, and got to do lots of fun activities.

September meant back to school for Isaac, the start of Grade 2. We are thankful that he has the same teacher this year, being in a Grade 1/2 split class, and is doing well.

In October we celebrated Curtis' birthday with some friends and family, as well as Thanksgiving later in the month. Isaac didn't show much interest in getting dressed up for Halloween this year, so he and Curtis just hung out at home while I went to work that evening.

In November I went to Prince George on a shopping trip with my Mother-in law Carolyn and sister-in-law Geralyn the first weekend. We had a lot of fun. Isaac had a few playdates throughout the month with various friends, and we as a family enjoyed getting together with a couple of other families for dinner. I also participated in a baking swap again. It's fun to discover what kinds of baking other families do for Christmas time.

In December, there were craft sales to check out, concerts to attend (my favorite being Michael W. Smith's Christmas concert in Abbotsford, which I attended with my sister) and our pre-Christmas trip to the Lower Mainland to spend a few days with my family and a few friends. Great times! We returned home on the 22nd, and celebrated Christmas dinner with Curtis' family (except his sister, who was unable to make it) on the 23rd, as I had to work Christmas weekend. We did go to Mike and Geralyn's Christmas morning for breakfast and to open stockings, as I didn't have to start work until 2:30.

So that pretty much sums up 2010 for our family, although there were other events and blessings scattered throughout the year that we are grateful for. We are thankful for enough work for both Curtis and myself, time spent with those we love, and God's grace to help us through the difficult times that come along from time to time.

I wish you all a blessed year in 2011!

New Family Photo

My dad called tonight to ask if we could send him a family photo. He had a letter that he wanted to send to a friend back in Alberta along with photos of Michael's family as well as ours. So we got cleaned up and managed to get a few good images. This one's the best.

Happy New Year!

It's a New Year, and time to be making resolutions, if one is inclined to do so. One resolution I would like to make is to get back to blogging, at least a little more often, about our lives. In the next few days I will try to recap some of the highlights of 2010, since I realized I haven't contributed since August!

For now, let me wish all of our beloved family and friends a very Blessed New Year.

Getting Out in the New Year

While Bonnie was working today, Isaac and I went out for a walk. We've all been sick with colds since coming back from Langley for Christmas, but we're getting sick of being in the house. So runny noses or not, we got out for half an hour and enjoyed the not-so-cold weather. I can't remember how many times I got hit in the back with Isaac's snowy projectiles.

In between dodging the snow, I was also trying out my birthday gift from Bonnie this past October. She bought me a pair of Urban Walking Poles that are supposed to be quite good for ones health and fitness. Even from a few minutes of walking I can sure see how they'll help make it more of an upper body workout than ever before.

Some much needed R&R

After a busy day at work on Wednesday, I was quite happy to realize that I was starting my vacation for the next week and a half. I celebrated by taking Isaac out for a burger that evening.

Yesterday found us getting a few things done around home, and I also went for a bike ride with some of the ladies from Curves in the evening.

Today we decided to spend the afternoon at one of the local lakes. We found a very quiet one called Doris lake - we only saw one other couple, who set out in their canoe for a few hours, and other than traffic going by on the road occasionally, the only sounds we heard were a few birds (including a loon or two) and buzzing insects. Oh, and Isaac splashing in the water. I'll try and post a few photos in the next day or two. Unfortunately, I forgot to put on sunscreen, and am now feeling the effects in certain areas. Thankfully it's been a long time since I was this sunburned.

Tomorrow will find us at our local Farmer's Market in the morning, trying to sell some of Curtis' photo cards, and perhaps interest people in booking some portrait photography. Isaac also has some cards to sell of some of his LEGO creations. We were at the Market 2 weeks ago, and 6 of his cards sold, which made him quite happy. In the afternoon, Curtis is booked to do some family portraits.

Sunday will find us at church in the morning, and then heading to Prince Rupert to pick up the exhibit pieces that Curtis had on display for the last month at the Museum of Northern BC.

Crater Lake

This afternoon I hiked up to Crater Lake by myself. Bonnie still was feeling the effects of the bit of a flu bug she had, and so she decided to stay home with Isaac. It was a glorious day and so the exercise did me good. Except to say that my knees are KILLING me. Anyways, here's some of the photos from my hike.

If you look at the photo above, along the waterfront you'll see two patches of snow. If you go straight up from the left-most one to the top of the snow at the top of the cliff face, that is where I was seated for the next photo.

This is the type of treacherous surface I had to walk on at the top. 

 

Another view from the top.

 

Panoramic view from the top.

Near the shore of the lake.

Isaac's Swimming Lessons