A Year in Review - 2010 - aka "the substitute Christmas letter"

Every year since we have been married (22 to be exact) I have sent out a Christmas letter with pictures, updates, etc. It's a great way to keep in touch with so many people we have met over the years. But this year, I just didn't have it in me. So, in an effort to still record our year for posterity, I decided to include a "Year in Review" for our blog. (Actually, I got the idea from Teresa at one of my favorite blogs!) In an effort to keep things managable and not bore you all to tears, I will keep it to one picture each month and try to keep things short and sweet. January brought us the musical! Lizzy had the lead in Guys & Dolls. Our whole family kind of centers around this for a while - it's a group effort, helping with cast meals, set building, photos, rehearsals and getting extended family members to and from performances.

February (and much of our 2010 winter) brought snow. And more snow. More snow than any of us have ever seen. Snow-mageddon as the media called it.

February also brought travel and auditions. Six colleges in 5 weekends, up and down the east coast. It was fun and exhausting all at the same time, but a neat way to preview schools with Lizzy.

March brought rest, a time to regroup a little as a family. Bill Jr. played with his school's guitar ensemble.

April brought baseball. Josh had a fun season, we caught a couple of Nationals games. It was good to be outside once again.

May brought friends from afar. We were thrilled to meet Kai & Jade - our blog friends (and part of our LuoHe connection.) Bill Sr. missed out on the fun during one of his trips to Afghanistan to check on our nations soldiers.

June brought graduation. And lots of parties, family & fun!

July brought travel and reunions. We met up with some of our travel group friends (and extended that to the Berter's since they were so close by) in Kentucky for a reunion with all our kiddo's. We also traveled back to SC for the Merritt family reunion and vacation time with family.

August brought still more travel. Cape Cod to see Grammy. Settling Lizzy into college life. Another trip back to the Middle East for Daddy.

September brought a princess pool party for a certain 4 year old. And it brought a new school year for us all. And 20 music students for Mommy. (Yikes!)

October brought a visit to Lizzy to see how she is doing with college life. She loves Duquesne, and we had fun visiting and seeing the sights in Pittsburgh.

November brought a beautiful Fall - one of the nicest I remember in a long time. It brought progress for all the family - Michelle doing well with preschool and speech therapy. (It's hard to believe we ever worried about her communicating - she is quite the chatter box.) Josh progressing with cello, Bill Jr. in guitar and beginning his college search.

December brought a new driver and 17 year old to our house. It also brought a 2 year Gotcha Day celebration. And a college student returning home for a nice long visit. And family. And a lovely Christmas.

Once again I am reminded how richly God has blessed our family in this past year. We wish you and your family a wonderful year in 2011.