January 3, 2011

• Hello 2011

  Wanted to do a year in review, but kind of missed doing it by the end of the year… So, instead of goodbye 2010 — here we are, hello 2011!

   

  January 2010 started off with torrential rain.

   

   

  a Christian dance recital (Val’s doing hula here)

  

  
  

  a silly dress up

  

   

  And an attempt to recreate the past…

  

  
  

  
  

  February Val and Ellie threw a surprise party for their friend, Heather

  

   

  Val turned 17!

  

   

  she celebrated at lunch with her friend Hannah, who also turned 17 that day

  

   

  and then more celebrating at night with her best friend, Phoebe, who made her a cake

  

   

  We also had some nice weather – any chance to go to the beach!

  

   

  Julie babysat and cooked with Katherine and Elizabeth

  

   

  Val messed around with her new camera

  

  
  

  Julie played with static electricity!

  

   

  and Ellie straightened Dad’s hair…

  

   

  …for his role as “Biff Buffolini”, a mobster, in a Murder Mystery Night

  

   

  … accompanied by “Karen Cake”, the Wedding Coordinator

  

   

   

   

   In March Julie turned 15!…

  

   

  …and we surprised her with a party!

  

   

   

  In April we had visitors from the north, my sister, Marilyn….

  

   

  … and her daughter Natalie

  

   

  We got to ride in a fire engine

  

   

  witnessed the beauty of God’s hand

  

   

  had a photo shoot at the beach

   

  

   

  and dressed up for youth night wearing something that communicates a godly character qualities

  Julie was Joy, Val was purity, and we also had patience, honor, courage, peace, generosity, respectability, and maturity.

  

  
  

  Julie was well on her way to playing the bass

  

   

  we enjoyed Easter with cousin Alison

  

   

  Gracie entertained all with a song

  

   

  and we hung out with good friends…

  

   

  In May Ellie turned 19

  

   

  Valerie’s ballet class at the studio teaching 1 – 4 year olds grew…

   

   

  we said goodbye to the voice teacher, Bob Olinger, until the next school year

  

   

  Valerie’s other ballet class had an end of school recital…

  

   

  The Aslan yearbook team successfully produced the 2009-2010 yearbook!!

  

   

  and Mark got beat up at our kick-off-summer Memorial Day pool party

  

   

  In June we celebrated another year of promotions for our homeschool.

  Here Gracie sang, “I Quiet my soul”, accompanied by her sister.

  

   

  Julie and Emmet sung a duet

  

   

  And Elizabeth accompanied Valerie singing as well

  

   

  Grace was promoted to 8th grade

  

   

  Julie was promoted to 10th grade

  

   

  Valerie was promoted to 12th grade

  

   

  We enjoyed another camping trip with our homeschool group

  

   

  And made up songs to sing to the poor UPS man whose truck broke down in front of our house

  

   

  we played hide and seek with the cat, but she wasn’t very good at it

  ahahahahahahaha!!!

  

   

  and had some silly fun…

  

   

  July started with Gracie’s 13th Birthday

  

   

  and a birthday party

  

  

   

  a dinner out with the family

  

   

  a broken humerus from falling off the skate board

  

   

  welcomed baby Kaden Urbina

  

   

  enjoyed praising God, here in a worship night at our house

  

   

  Found a perfect spot at the San Onofre State Beach

  

   

  and witnessed amazing feats, like Smith fitting into the girls’ spring suit

  

  
  

   

  August rolled in as Valerie rolled off…

  

   

  enjoyed one of maybe 3 sunny days at the beach this summer

  

   

  Traveled to Nevada to celebrate my dad’s 75th birthday…

  

   

  …with our entire family

  

   

  had a cooling dip in the pool

  

   

  delighted in fresh picked blackberries

  

  
  

  went to an opening of the movie my nephew, Alex, and his family were in

  

  
  

  and celebrated the last beach day of summer with a bonfire

  

   

   

  September started with school pictures

  

   

  a fun free day at Disneyland and California Adventures…

  

   

  dragged Barbara on a ride she’s never been on

  

   

  made manicotti…

  

   

  …and then enjoyed the meal

  

   

  discovered Julie’s love for tools…

  

   

  and celebrated my 47th Birthday

  

   

  October started with Steve’s 53rd birthday

  

   

   

  Julie got her permit….

  

   

   … and enjoyed scaring me!!

  

   

  We played in the rain

  

  

   

  and went on another camping trip with our school group

  

   

  put up a tent

  

   

  as well as rented a motor home

  

   

  Val took some crazy spinning pictures

  

   

  Gracie carved a pumpkin

  

   

  The girls dressed up for Halloween

  

   

  and for a Halloween party

  

   

  November found us celebrating Thanksgiving with good friends

  

   

  and me 35 lbs thinner

  

  
  

  We also found out my sister has breast cancer…

   

  December we decked the halls and trimmed the tree

  

   

  delighted in a double rainbow

  

   

  Celebrated the Savior’s birthday

  

   

  Enjoyed giving and receiving gifts

  

   

   Especially the State (from my mom and dad) and City (from my brother) beach passes!!!

  

   

  appreciated a good Christmas dinner with family

  

  

   

  and enjoyed a harbor cruise in a duffy boat!

  

   

  

   

  This year also in March, Steve and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary!!

  Praise God for so many wonderful years and so many blessings!!
  

   

  Then and now

  

   

  So goodbye 2010 and hello 2011. Looking forward to all the adventure you will hold!!

  ~me
  

  • 1:17 pm
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