Merry Christmas to all our family and friends!
What a joy to share this busy year of challenges and celebrations with you. For the most part, I think you are probably aware of the things we have going on but just in case we are not in touch quite as much as we would prefer, here is a recap:
(Click here for A year in photos)
January - We celebrated the New Year with Amy, Omar, Dylan, Stephanie and Noella in a relaxing, fun filled night and had a blast. It was the perfect way to ring in the New Year.
Soon after that, Evelyn tripped while carrying her dish to the sink after dinner and lacerated her finger requiring stitches. She is our frequent flyer at the the ER and that evening we discussed which beds in the ER she had and had not used.
The winter was trying with lots of days off from school due to frequent snow storms. It was cold, too, and when we finally emerged in the spring, EVERYONE was ready for sun and warmth.
February - We had a wonderful visit from Jason's cousin Jessica and her two daughters, Autumn and Kaitlyn. The kids all got along so well and were looking forward to the next visit immediately.
Mira celebrated her 6th birthday with a party at the local ice rink. Even Memaw and Grandad joined in the fun and skated along side the young whipper snappers.
March - My parents treated us to a crazy day at the Circus. The kids loved the acrobats, the animals, the magic and the clowns. It was a very fun time.
April - We celebrated Easter at my parents' after church at The Presbyterian Church of Havre de Grace. Later in April, I worked again with community partners to host the 4th Clear Your Clutter Day. The next day, we enjoyed a fantastic visit from Carsten & Sandra Oehme and their son, Ferdinand. Carsten had been the German foreign exchange student while I was in high school and his visit brought out a few old friends that we hadn't seen in quite a long time.
May - The pace really started picking up in May just as school was winding down. We attended the dedication of our youngest niece, Molli, and also celebrated Mother's Day.
Our friends and Evelyn's Godparents, Reagan & David Charney along with their two children, Selene and Colton were in town visiting. We spent a whirlwind three days together before they headed back down south.
Our faithful dog, Jack, passed close to the end of the month.
I left for a trip to Arizona to present at the National conference for NAPO (National Association of Professional Organizers). It was an honor to be in the company of other well established, professional organizers. Two highlights of the trip were a hike in the Sonoran Desert and a visit with family friend, Am Switzer, whom I had corresponded with in letters but never met before.
I returned in time to see Josh perform in his spring piano recital. He did an outstanding job.
June - Evelyn graduated preschool at the beginning of June and Dylan, our nephew, graduated from high school the same week. We were so blessed to find the excellent Harford Jewish Center Preschool to follow our fantastic experience at Harford Community College where all three children attended for the past 5 years prior to this one.
Then, something terrible happened, we lost my cousin Kurt Vasbinder to esophageal cancer. It was a shock and from diagnosis to when it overcame him was only months. We think of him often. But, we are so very thankful that we were all able to see him before he passed. Those are moments I will hold onto.
Immediately following, we met again with my father's side of the family and all of the extended cousins for a family reunion in Fredericksburg, VA. We had never explored Fredericksburg and were surprised at all the wonderful things it had to offer. I would encourage you to go.
July - brought Gabriela to the US. Although she is not a 'new' niece we had not yet met her since grew up in Honduras. Gaby is my brother in law, Omar's, daughter. She is a beautiful, bright 16 (now 17 y.o.) and we are so glad to have her here.
The majority of our July was spent on an exciting trip out west. We started out in Las Vegas at Jason's cousin, Tyler's 21st birthday. We stayed at his Aunt Cheryl's house and then made our way to California. Before leaving Vegas we explored Red Rock Canyon, which we loved, and while in California we again had many outdoor adventures. The kids were happy we made it, as a family, to Disneyland. Jason and I were happy to be able to spend time with his parents enjoying their company (and the kids enjoying the pool!) we saw so many friends and family again. There is too much to cover but you are welcome to check our our photos on Flickr (http://flickr.com/gp/jlowens/M9z543)
August - The girls enjoyed a week at summer camp with the Harford Jewish Center while Josh and I enjoyed a few adventures of our own: A bike ride in the rain and horseback riding. Josh continued and Mira started soccer with the rec. council. They both loved it, Josh really grew into the sport this year. We celebrated Evelyn's 5th birthday at a local State Park. It was a fun afternoon.
All the children got on the bus this August with Evelyn in kindergarten, Mira in 1st grade and Josh in 3rd. They are all doing so well and thriving in their grade level. Josh began in Gifted and Talented this year and that program has been a great asset to his education.
September - Jason and I celebrated 13 years of marriage. My parents had the children for a visit and we relaxed at a local BnB. We also took a LONG bike ride to test our out new bike rack. It seems bike riding is something our whole family is enjoying now that Evie and Mira are officially off of training wheels.
I traveled again, this time to Nashville, TN. I sat for my peer review for the program I had been working on for 18 mos. I passed and am now a Certified Professional Organizer in Chronic Disorganization. It is an certification I am very proud of that few organizers achieve.
October - We escaped for a quick weekend getaway camping, kayaking trip to Harper's Ferry, WV. This was the first time the girls had been kayaking and it was well received even if the weekend was a bit cold! Josh turned 9 the following week and we celebrated then and again a little later in the month because...
The next weekend, just Jason and I, enjoyed a long getaway to Boerne and San Antonio, TX to see our friends, Richard and Monica, get married. We really needed that couple time and enjoyed every single minute!
November - Josh and Mira's soccer wrapped up the first weekend in November. It was cold and raining but they were troopers! Mira's team even made it to 2nd place in her league.
In the middle of November, I was honored to celebrate 10 years in business as friends, family, current and past employees gathered for one memorable night. My Aunt Jo, Uncle George and cousin Stephanie even made the trek into town.
Because all those guests were in town, we celebrated a big family Thanksgiving that same weekend. The actual day was a little smaller but equally nice. We love how much the cousins can get together and play. The love to be together.
December - Here we are in December! Mira and Evie will be invested as Girl Scouts tomorrow evening and Christmas is right around the corner. Jason is working hard on his PhD and aiming for a 2015 completion (but I don't recommend you ask about it). The children are anticipating gifts, cookies, time with cousins and time off from school.
If you have gotten this far in the letter, thank you for sharing in our year with us. I hope our paths will cross again very soon.
Wishing you a lovely, prosperous New Year!
Nettie, Jason
Josh, Mira & Evelyn
