Here's the 2010 highlight reel for you guys. (A bit lengthy, sorry :)
January included remodeling our downstairs bathroom. Basically everything but the toilet and cabinet. Also, our first tile job! There were a few mistakes, but we're awfully proud of it. We were thrilled to host the Walkers for a week, and even got a trip in to the coast.
Bathroom during
Bathroom after
Walkers on the coast
February was a rough month around here. I was laid off from my job (really a huge blessing in disguise) as an engineer (stupid economy). It did allow for more time to work on the house and get outside and enjoy the strangely nice winter we had. Also, Feburary brought the exciting news of Payton Hall, the first baby of the family. Proud parents Jenna and Kyle welcomed their little girl into the world on 2/27.
Bedroom mid-remodel
Bedroom after
Bear out for a hike
Baby Payton
March brought even more beautiful weather, home renovations and some other fun activities. March was also a special milestone in Chris military career. He celebrated his 10 year anniversary with the Army National Guard. Thanks Chris!
We all tried our hand at curling - it is waaay harder than it looks!
Tiled kitchen backsplash
Sunny days in Poulsbo
Our flowering cherry trees in the front yard
Grama and Grampa treated us to a hockey game for my birthday
And Chris and I spent the day in Bellingham to celebrate my 26th birthday
In April we celebrated our 1st wedding anniversary. It just blew our minds how fast the first year went. Chris had a work trip in Florida and I tagged along for a little bit of sunshine. We drove up to Georgia and his parents drove down from North Carolina so we could spend the weekend together. Although it doesn't seem like a big deal, another accomplishment of April, finally putting in some flowerbeds in front of our house. Only took us 2 1/2 years.
Front yard
Happy (cold) anniversary from Whidbey Island!
We even managed to get a trip to Eastern Washington in to visit our friends in Walla Walla.
Kayaking with the manatees in Florida
Walkers in South Carolina.
We even drank from the Fountain of Youth in historic St Augustine, FL. I would not recommend it, the water was disgusting.
May was pretty quiet. I think our only remarkable adventure was visiting Chelsea in Spokane.
June was a month of big news for Chris military career. After months of paperwork and waiting, waiting, waiting we got word that his transfer to the Air Force Reserves was accepted. Chris immediately began drilling at McChord in Tacoma as a C-17 Electrical and Environmental Maintenance Technician. All I know is he gets to play with big airplanes and comes home greasy and happy, works for me. The transfer means some tough separations coming up for us, but I think we'll reap some amazing benefits in the long run.
My grandparents came along when Chris was sworn in the the AF, my Grampa was once an Airman himself :)
Chris' new "office"
Nothing says "Happy Fathers Day" like a local beer fest.
July was another month marked by Walker visit (en route to Alaska those lucky ducks) and a vacation to San Fransisco to visit Eileen and Ben for 4th of July. And somehow we also managed to squeeze a trip out to my parents place on the coast.
We drove up to Rainier with Chris' parents and we found sunny weather!
Out with our lovely hosts in California
Bear in the field at my parents cabin.
Bear swimming in the Pacific Ocean.
August was a quiet one, we had to recover from July. I was mid-quarter with summer classes so laying low was essential. We did take a few nice hikes, this one out to a beach near our house.
September we took our big vacation of the year. We started at the Dave Matthews Band concert at the Gorge with some friends, then headed out to Montana and up into Alberta and British Columbia. Spectacular scenery and a wonderful trip (besides the car troubles... grrr...).
Started at the Gorge
Headed out to Glacier National Park, MT
Then up to Kookenay National Park, British Columbia
And finally to Banff, Alberta
All in the little teardrop trailer.
October must've been uneventful, apparently I have no photos from that month. I did get news that I was accepted into the Surgical Technology program at Renton Technical College. It was tough to get into and I was amazed that it had worked out. The surgical tech education is just a supplement to my career plan (I have a long range plan, but no need to bore everyone here) and will take me a year to complete. Yay for more school...
November was a tough month with the passing of Chris Grandmother. Under unfortunate circumstances we took a trip back to Maine. However, just as his Grandmother would've liked we did enjoy the company of family and Chris like getting back to his home state.
Height of the Land on the drive up to Chris' family's camp.
View from the back porch of camp.
Chris' Dad and I got up reeeeal early to go see if we could find some moose. Not many moose, but an amazing Maine sunrise.
The Walker family again.
December brought a lot of scary health news in my family, but everyone came out just fine. Reminds us all how special family is and just how fast things can change. We had a great Christmas with the family and managed to start back up on a few new home projects.
A new dishwasher! Merry Christmas to me!
Demolition phase of the master bath remodel.
Christmas pajamas will never get old (even though we do),
Strongest people I know!
So there you have it, what a year! Hopefully everyone had just as good of a year as we did!
