2010 - A Year in Review

2010

Who, What, Where... Why?

At the beginning of the year, the boys built super amazing Pine Wood Derby cars and raced their little hearts out....

We attended Tulip Time in Holland, our favorite festival, with our dear friends and watched Lilly twirl until she was ready to puke up her elephant ear...

We were able to take a trip to the U.P. and snap this little pic for Topher's birthday invite.....

Christmas in July theme!

Topher was so happy to have his Great Grand Dad and Abuelita make the trip over to celebrate with him

...Lilly wasn't buying this whole 'holiday in the wrong month' gimmick...

thankfully a little jolly mischief with her Grandpa Ballard helped bring her around

Nathan was a great sport and even posed in the 'Christmas in July' holiday photo-op

In August we ventured out for our annual Ballard Family Camping trip, this year we went to Mackinac City.  

They grow their mosquitoes extra thirsty up that way {shudder} 

The boys started school - Nathan in 4th grade (big man on campus) and Topher in 3rd (almost but not quite big man on campus)

This is Nathan - he turned 10 this year - this is a picture from when he turned 9.  Why?  Clearly my photo organizational skills are top-notch, no?  I think he had a good one... I hope anyway

Christmas was very special and Lilly's very best-est wish came true, she received an American Girl Doll that looks just like her.  She named the doll Ashley, after her favorite pre-school teacher.

Lilly turned 5, despite her sassy stubbornness, by some miracle

In hindsight, perhaps having Hello Kitty smoking a big fat one in honor of Lilly's birthday was sending the wrong message....???

Let me translate that look - "I don't care if it is my birthday, I don't care if you have already put down a non-refundable deposit, I will not go out there looking cute and adorable with all of my princess themed friends and have fun - I am the birthday girl and will choose to stay in my grubby street clothes despite my fabulous up-do,  thank you very much!"

2010 was much busier than all of that, certainly, but an unending post doesn't make for good reading.  Besides, I have 2 whole years left to catch up on -   

Now if I could just remember where the 'super-safe, will not lose these ones' place I stashed 2011 photos for the next post are.... 

First Day of School: 2009

Here we go again!  Mom's most favorite time of year - the first day of school, oh yeah!

The boys became huge fans of the many Sonic the Hedgehog Wii games they found to rent during the summer so it was only fitting that their first day of school shirts displayed the little blue fella.

Nathan, the proud new 3rd grader, is sporting his new freckles from a bit too much sun in Mexico.

Once a ham, always a ham, Sir Topher - the 2nd grader!

The boys enjoyed returning to the same school for the second year, I did too because everyone was far more relaxed and comfortable with the new begining.  The boys are enjoying their teachers and having fun seeing old friends and making new ones.  It is hard to believe how fast they have grown but so exciting too!

Speaking of growing too fast... Lilly joined in on the first day fun with a super adorable new outfit!  We are trying out a great preschool/daycare down the road, which is what is in the background.  Wish us luck with that one - this girl is stubborn and morning is not her shiny time.