Sunday, January 3, 2016

365Project.2016 | Week 1!

Welcome to 2016!

Last year was one of significant change for our family, and we are thankful for the Lord's grace and blessing throughout all of that. We are excited to see what He has in store for 2016--our first full year in NY.

I'm also excited to be launching the 5th year for my 365 Project! I never imagined it would continue this long ... but now I can hardly imagine not doing it. :) This was the picture that began it all ... January 1, 2012:


Thanks for joining us on our journey ... We'd love to have you leave a note to say hi!

2015 ...
Day 361. We went out for lunch, and Abby-girl was very excited to see the fish tank gracing the waiting area. :)

Day 362. A work trip took Daddy and Grandpa to Philadelphia, so rather than separating the family during Christmas vacation, we decided to pack everybody up and go along for the ride. :) Did you know that Philadelphia is the 5th largest US city?
Day 363. Grandma and Grandpa had a full day of business errands to keep them busy, but we were able to enjoy a family day together. After the craziness which was December, we were very glad for it. :)


We began by exploring the Franklin Institute.

 The "Train Depot" was definitely one of the favorite locations. :)



 So thankful this little lady caved in to sleep rather than fussiness as the day wore on! ♥


After exploring the Franklin Institute, we decided that navigating Philly on foot would be simpler than doing so by van. For the record, a mile is shorter in theory than actuality, but the kids were troopers, and walking truly was more enjoyable than driving. :)


 Our destination? The Liberty Bell. :)



And Independence Hall where it originally hung.
Just one of the many perks of walking ... donuts to fuel the journey! :)
Some pretty amazing views by the time we made it back it to our hotel! :)
Day 364. We were home again by mid-afternoon and enjoyed some evening games of Rummikub with Grandma and Grandpa. :)
Day 365. And Hannah and Grandma closed out our year with their annual snack buffet. :) Thanks, ladies! ♥


2016 ...
Day 1. What is that we see?? Snow!
The kids were very excited to be able to bring in the new year on sleds. :)
Day 2. Mommy's laundry amigo ♥
 Day 3. And this little lady is the very proud owner of a new doll stroller bought with her Christmas money from Great Grandma and Grandpa. ♥ Thanks, Great Grandma and Grandpa!

And thus begins 2016 ... it seems that NY has finally remembered that it's winter and brought in the new year with both cold and snow. It looks like our sleds will be seeing plenty of use! :)

365Project.2015 | Weeks 50–52

I'm back and finishing up 2015! :)
We made it through the crazy which was December, and we are all very thankful! :)

Day 340. Hannah and Grandma enjoyed a super special weekend together, with the climax being tickets to see The Nutcracker!



Day 341. The kids and I enjoyed putting up some Christmas decorations today. :)
Abby particularly enjoyed playing with the Nativity set ... she seemed to be of the opinion that there wasn't much room in the stable, either. ;)

Day 342. We thoroughly enjoyed decorating our snowman logs at homeschool group! It was so much fun to see how different each one was, even though everyone started with the same basic set of supplies.
 ♥


Day 343. The kids decided to add their own touches to our Christmas decorations, and each one created a nativity scene which we then used to decorate the doors throughout the main floor. :)


Day 344. Peter was pretty excited about the model train he found in operation at his piano teacher's house. :)

Day 345. Oh yes. My children were playing soccer in shirt-sleeves. In mid-December. In central NY. The weather this month was unbelievably beautiful!!
Day 346. We have discovered that Abby. Loves. Music. She loves directing it, dancing to it, bouncing to it ... ♥ This spot on the counter is definitely her happy place. :)


Day 347. A bit of a cold kept her home from church on Sunday though, so she and I worked on wrapping presents. Some things are definitely easier sans toddler. ;)

Day 348. We discovered the busy book that Grandma created for Hannah nearly ten years ago ... ♥


Day 349. More fun at homeschool group! :)
My crew's creations ...


Day 350. Abby loves Toby. Thankfully the feeling's mutual. ♥


Day 351. This young lady worked really hard this month to finish up a special gift for her baby cousin. ♥

Day 352. The older three memorized John 15:1-13 this semester, and today we videoed their recitations. Mommy decided to also snap Christmas tree pictures for each one. ♥




Day 353. Abby's "helping" wrap presents. Again.


Day 354. Mommy tried to get a Christmas tree picture of Abby. :)


We enjoyed a special time opening our gifts from our Michigan family this afternoon. ♥


The young man who's dog-eared the Deep Sea page of his Lego catalog was very excited by his gift from Grandma and Grandpa. ♥


And we're loving our new jammies! :)


Day 355. Abby and her Dolly have become nearly inseparable. ♥


Day 356. The fun of discovering mirrors!

Day 357. Time to make more gifts! :) We also enjoyed a special visit with Great Grandma and Grandpa today ... but I realized afterwards that I didn't take any pictures. :(


Day 358. And this was the only picture I took of our family Christmas with cousins! But it's a special one ... Hannah and her cousin Noella with the blanket Hannah knit for her. ♥ So thankful for special times with family ... and we thoroughly enjoyed our fellowship, sans cameras. ;)
 Ready for Christmas morning! ♥


Our annual Christmas Eve photo tradition continues! ♥


Day 359. Merry Christmas!

Traditions are good, and Family Favorite French Toast for Christmas breakfast is a very tasty one. :)

Hannah's pretty excited about her new Kindle Fire and beanbag chair. :) 

And Abby's loving the opportunity to make her own music!


Day 360. Matthew could hardly wait to get his kite in the air. :) Sadly, though, it only flew one other time as it is now stuck in the very top of the very tallest tree in our yard ...

And that finishes up the 52nd week of 2015. It's been a full year with many changes for our family, but we are thankful for the Lord's guidance and blessing throughout. Excited to look towards 2016!