Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Merry Christmas!


Merry Christmas family and friends!  Here is a collection of pictures for those who are interested.  A  little glimpse into our year. 

JANUARY
Deliveries of big boxes were a frequent occurrence in January.  Lots of equipment for our upcoming church launch in February! (The kids loved the boxes!)

A little time with Grandpa and Grandma.  And the cousins.  :)

FEBRUARY
The biggest highlight in February was (of course) the launch of Ignite Church! 
After many months (well, years, actually) of preparation, we were so excited to see this happen  :)  (Fun fact: Ignite's launch date was also Steve's 30th birthday!)

MARCH
After browsing for over a year, we finally got serious about house hunting.  Eventually we bought this one!  A great fit for our family (and minutes from the church).

The kids learned so much in school.  We had a lot of fun too.  Here they are counting one hundred "things on strings".

APRIL
 
 After the snow melted, Haddie finally became confidant enough to ride her little bike without anyone holding on.  ;)  This made bike rides a more frequent occurrence!

On April 10th Seth turned 6 years old!  It's amazing how the time has flown.  We love his enthusiasm, creativity, and zest for life.  He is so special to us!

Easter morning.  :)

This is just a picture to show you how frazzled my brain was at about this time.  Long days, short nights, trying to figure out how to grow a church, and packing to move again.   ...Yep.  Poured orange juice on Haddie's cereal.
(Don't worry, she got a new bowl.)  ;)

MAY
Seth (orange shirt) finished up his first year at Children's Music Academy!

JUNE
June 8th our little Haddie turned 4 years old!  She is such a sweetie, so joyful, and always a big helper.  We can't imagine life without her!

Spending time with cousin Scarlet!

JULY
Though the year was very challenging and stressful, we found plenty of times to laugh and be silly.  ;)

Enjoyed a visit with Aunt Marian from Alaska!

 Summer isn't complete without a little fun at the farm.  Here's Seth and Hidalgo.




Haddie twirling.  :)

                                                             Exploring the bean field.

Steve spoke at a Bible camp this summer, and they were kind enough to take us tubing during free time!

AUGUST
Seth earned his first stripe in his belt for Tae Kwon Do in August.  He's the little one in the second/third row.  ;)

SEPTEMBER
First day of school, action shot.

Ignite hosted a fall kick-off at a local park.  We were excited to serve a meal to about 300 people (and 112 of them returned for church the next day!)

OCTOBER
 Straw bale maze at a nearby pumpkin patch! 

We thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful fall weather this year.  Here are the kids on a day we took a hike. Cooling off in the river - in October!  

NOVEMBER/ DECEMBER
Special time with Great-Grandpa Dufour

Welcoming cousin Owen!

Early Christmas celebration at Grandpa and Grandma's house.


As we look back at the year, we have so much to be thankful for.  We are humbled by the blessings of good health, a home, our marriage of 8 and 1/2 years, two very special children, great family and friends, the amazing people at Ignite church, and especially God's presence and guidance with us through a challenging year of new things.  He is so faithful!  To him be the glory for all that transpired in 2011 and may he be glorified in all we do in 2012.