Monday, January 4, 2010

What a year...Saying goodbye to 2009!


We have had some challenges during the past year (haven't we ALL) but we have also had some really great times. We weren't sure what the year would hold for us. We were hopeful that at some point during the year we would get "the call" but as the months passed... it was harder and harder to stay positive. BUT... we did the things we wanted to do... and tried to have a good attitude.. and then with only a month left in the year that call finally came. Here is a look back at what we will remember about 2009!

JANUARY: Still recovering from my knee surgery that I had on Christmas Eve 2008! Also traveled to AZ for the blessing of our newest nephew Preston!


FEBRUARY: Took a trip to Joshua Tree National Forest... Saw just as many trees on the way there as we did in the actual park!

 
 
MARCH: Dan was put into the Elder's Quorum at church and is still enjoying and thriving at his calling. 

APRIL: Went to Yosemite... Stayed the first night in a placed called "The Yosemite Bug"...worst place we have ever stayed... Switched hotels and the rest of the trip was great! 


MAY: Went to Monterey Bay for Memorial Day weekend... so did a bunch of other people. It was freezing and we were not quite ready for that since it was already 100 degrees here in Vegas. We had great seafood and paid for it...that is for sure!


JUNE: Dan and Brian decided they wanted to hike the Grand Canyon. They said it smelled like wet dog and there was poo all over the place... Said it was great and asked if I wanted to go next time?!! What?


JULY:Girls Camp was finally here. I had been planning, and planning and planning. It was worth it though. I had a great week and tons of fun. Hope the girls did too.


AUGUST: We decided it was time to get some new photos taken of just the two of us (after all it had been 7 years)... Karma decided to play a joke and we used these pictures for new adoption pass along cards which arrived the day we got the call regarding Blake!


SEPTEMBER:Our big trip was finally here... We headed overseas to England, Paris and Germany. This was a great trip and we have so many great memories from it. Really once in a lifetime.

Germany

Windsor

OCTOBER: We made the drive down to California again to go to Knott's Scary Farm.. This has become a tradition and is so much fun. Scares me out of my mind..but so much fun.


NOVEMBER: Besides the obvious of spending Thanksgiving with our family in AZ and my 29th birthday the biggest thing that happened in November was of course the arrival of our son Blake. We had been waiting for him for so long and are so glad he made his debut!


DECEMBER: Of course Christmas and spending it with Mike, Holly and my mom and dad as well as one extended family... but we also celebrated Blake's one month birthday too... These are all big things you know!


We don't know what the future holds or what 2010 will bring us but we are grateful for our families and our friends and for the love and support that they continually offer to us. We are so blessed to have each other, the Gospel in our lives and to be able to support ourselves in this unsure time. We look forward to the future and hope it brings us as much joy as we have been able to have in the past! 

6 comments:

Mike and Holly said...

Aranne, what a terrific countdown! Blake is our highlight of the year, too!

Meka said...

You guys seemed to have such a great year. It's good that you traveled a lot and tried to "take advantage" of the childless years. We tried to do that before too! So glad we both got our miracles this year!

JANEAL said...

2009 was a great year for babies :) I have to say Blake is just too cute!

Heidi said...

Congrats again Aranne and Dan. We so miss you guys and FSA -- apparently they don't need our help up here (we've tried to volunteer!).

Have a great year.

Rebecca and Co. said...

This sounds like a perfect year, actually! If Blake had been born earlier you couldn't have done all those wonderful, once-in-a-lifetime things. And now that he IS here, your life has changed in a miraculous way (and we are still thrilled for you).

Lisa said...

What an amazing year for your family! We are so excited to see you next weekend. Love you all!