2010 A Look Back and A Lot to be Thankful For

If I didn't have a camera, I don't think I would remember half the stuff that happens throughout the year. I spent some time scrolling through iphoto and was reminded what a busy and fun year 2010 was. We did more than I thought we did! I picked some of my favorite and monumental events from the year to reflect on. Here is two thousand and ten in review...

Last January, I was working on reupholstering my love seat. Would I do it again? Next time, I think I'll buy new furniture. But it was a challenging project that I'm proud of.

In March, my sweet husband took me on a birthday date to Simply Crepes in Canandaigua and we stopped to admire the lake.

Our biggest project of 2009-2010 (and our lives) was our full bathroom remodel. Andrew and I learned how to drywall, tile, grout, run electrical and plumbing, with the help of our friend Jesse. We are thrilled with how it turned out!

In April, we celebrated Easter in Pennsylvania. We also visited Valley Forge National Historical Park, and appreciated some American history.

I went indoor rock climbing for the first time!

In May, Andrew's brother David graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology, with a degree in Photography. Andrew's parents and sister, Laura came to celebrate.

My nephew Elijah graduated from middle school and started high school. I can not believe he is in high school.

Our blow up pool survived another summer (with some patching) much to our amazement.

We celebrated 5 years of marriage on July 9th! I made a Cake Boss inspired mini replica wedding cake for our special day and we visited Sonnenberg Gardens.

We went on vacation with Andrew's family in Hazleton, PA. We had a great time, especially with our nieces Sydney and Morgan.

At the end of August, my Mom and Dad came to visit us from Arizona. My Uncle Bob also came for a visit. We were blessed to spend time together and catch up with some dear friends.

I finally got to see Rascal Flatts in concert at the New York State Fair in September!

Zack and Maura got married in September.

Aaron and Michele got married in October.

We threw a baby shower for my beautiful friend Christy.

Who had a beautiful little girl named Madelyn, in November. She is growing so fast!

We celebrated Thanksgiving a few days early at Nana and Pop-Pop's house in Pennsylvania. 

And celebrated Thanksgiving Day at my sister Lisa's house.

Christmas at our house, just a few days ago.

What a year! We have so much to look back on with great memories and thankful hearts. Here's to 2011 and looking forward to all it holds! Happy New Year!

Pop-Pop

As joyful as our Christmas was, it was also panged with sadness, as my husband's Grandpa, Pop-Pop, went to be with Jesus. We are comforted by knowing he is with the Lord, and he will no longer have to fight against cancer. He will be terribly missed by all of us. I am thankful I got to know Donald Ohl Sr. and have a Grandpa in my life again.

When Andrew and I got married, we took a few trips to spend time with Nana and Pop-Pop at their trailer in the mountains, their favorite place to be. That was the first time Pop told me the story of Blitzer, the goat who ran away. And about my husbands infamous childhood line, "Uh oh Spaghetti-O!" We got ice cream at the little shop in town, rode 4-wheelers, picked berries, shot at targets, played horse-shoes, roasted hot dogs and marshmallows, and played cards. Pop-Pop told funny stories and talked about the ways of the Pennsylvania Dutch. He loved the outdoors, hunting and building things with his own two hands.

He was the Father of 5 children, 12 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. I only knew Pop-Pop for the last 5 years, but I know that he loved God and he loved his family very much. Pop-Pop's oldest son Dennis, my father-in-law, is a wonderful father and husband. Dennis and Marilyn raised two wonderful sons, one of whom is my amazing husband, Andrew, and a beautiful daughter, Laura, with a family of her own. It is a rare blessing to see family values and godly morals carried down through 4 generations. I am blessed to part of this family. It won't be the same without Pop-Pop but I know we will see him again one day.

Maybe he's riding a 4-wheeler beside heaven's sea of glass right now.

Christmas 2010

It's hard to believe that 2011 is just a few hours away and that Christmas was almost a week ago! Where did 2010 go? Where did the last decade go for that matter? I spent this morning taking down the Christmas decorations and putting them away. As much as I love getting out the Christmas decorations and enjoying them, there's nothing I dread more than putting them away.

We had a very nice Christmas, celebrating the birth of our Savior, with family. Andrew's Dad, Mom and brother spent the weekend at our house. We played games (Scrabble, Bananagrams, and Balderdash), watched movies, ate good food and just relaxed. It was splendid.

It was my pleasure hosting this year. I got to plan our menu and use the fancy china. I really like entertaining. It was nice waking up at our house and having family there.

We also visited our family in Buffalo. I got to see my baby cousin, Lucy. What a doll! And her big brother Carmelo. They are such cuties.

My cousin Kristen and her husband Carmelo (an amazing chef) prepared a delicious lunch for all of us. If you're ever in Lewiston, NY, and looking for authentic Italian cuisine, you should check out Carmelo's Restaurant. It is outstanding. 

  

Cousins :)

And we can't forget these two crazy felines that are with us all year long. Lacey and Chancho. This may need to be our Christmas card next year.

I hope your Christmas was filled with much joy and the love of family and friends. Most of all, that you found the true meaning of Christmas, the greatest gift of all, Jesus Christ.

^"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16