2009: The Year in Pictures

We tried to break a whole year down into just 12 pictures, one for each month. This has been a great year for visitors and though we'll mention them in their places, most do not show up in the pictures. This is not to say you weren't highlights!!

The year started with us in America. We got to celebrate New Year with family in KY. This picture was taken at the airport in Louisville in early January just before we headed back home. Its a great picture of Angie and sort of conveys the difficulty of saying goodbye and parting from our loved ones again.

In February we welcomed Wes and Kim and experienced our first Thaipusam which was kind of a really spooky Hindu festival that featured lots of chanting, people carrying milk offerings, and even some folks piercing their bodies. We did get free flowers, though.

March saw Bethany lose her training wheels and rocket off into freedom ... at least in the bike world. March also saw Judy accompany Amanda for the beginning of her three months with us.

We celebrated Easter in April with some friends who came from Ohio via Asia. The kids (and parents) loved having some friends here for the holiday.
Mother's Day in May was celebrated at the beach and our first real trip snorkeling. We haven't been the same since!
In June we made our first trip to Bali. Just a few short years ago someone told us we should move there. At that point we didn't even know where it was. This year we finally made it. Also that month Justin, Ricky, and James came to travel home with Amanda plus we had 10 other cool people from California.
Just a few short weeks after we got back from Bali, in July, 2Grandmas and Papaw (aka American Chopper) came for a visit.

We prepared a ton for our big neighborhood party that kicked off the month of August. A few people came to the house to meet the parents and celebrate Hudson's birthday which had just passed. When it was time for 2Grandmas and Papaw to leave, Ann Carla, and Carole Ann arrived ... literally two hours apart!!

In September we made no small trip. Literally a place where there was no where to go but up!
What a huge time in October as we traveled for some training for a couple of weeks and the kids had a bunch of extended time playing with some American friends! Plus we had our Georgia Angels (Ruth, Carolyn, and Mary) which was better than we ever imagined.
All year long Craig looked forward to going to the mountains for Thanksgiving in November. It didn't disappoint. Cool and cloudy with turkey and strawberries. Awesome!
December started with Dave, Nick, and Tom arriving to see us and carry Ann home. It ends with us counting down at midnight and believing our best years are still ahead of us.
Here's hoping you are blessed in ways you've never before imagined in 2010!! Happy New Year!