2012 has seen many changes in our household! Here are some of our highlights:
We enjoyed last winter, with some chances to go sledding and skating with the kids.
At the beginning of March, Michelle went back to work, getting hired back on the sub list with the school board, working a few mornings a week while Lewis was in kindergarten. Matt was able to either work from home in the mornings or pick Lewis up over his lunch break and stay with him until Michelle returned. Life got a bit busier but it was nice to get back into working a bit (and to see that paycheque again)!
In the spring, Matt's parents came back from Arizona and we visited Lethbridge for Easter and to celebrate family birthdays along with his brother and family. Both kids played in our community spring soccer league, which they loved. Matt again volunteered as a coach for the U6 team.
May was a busy month, with our annual fundraising garage sale and participating in the Taber Relay for Life again. Thanks to all who supported us! We raised almost $15 000 this year, thanks to Steve's fundraising dinner the weekend before, the garage sale, and the efforts of all our team members. May also saw Jaina finish Brownies and advance on to Guides (and Michelle too, by default!).
In June, Michelle and Jaina were off to Brownie camp. Michelle finished off the school year with a two week full time contract covering a maternity leave at her old school.
The kids and Michelle were happy to see summer arrive! We started off with some down time and fun in the sun around home. Jaina went off to summer camp for a week, along with a friend, and had a fantastic time. Then the kids got to spend a week with their grandparents while Michelle and Matt got to take off to Mexico for Shane and Andie's wedding. Everyone had a great week!
When we came home the kids had a couple more weeks of summer playtime and also bike camp and swimming lessons. Then we were off again this summer to the Okanagan, where we enjoyed a week of camping and visiting with some cousins and their family. Then this year we continued farther west to Delta, where we were able to join in the celebration of Matt's aunt and uncle's 50th wedding anniversary with family.
At the end of August it was back home to get ready to head back to school. We celebrated Lewis' 6th birthday here, and again with family at a nice picnic in Lethbridge. And then, the kids and Michelle got ready to start school again! Lewis started Grade 1 so he is adjusting to a full day at school instead of just mornings. Jaina started Grade 4 which in our community is at the middle school, so it is a new school for her to adjust to. Although it is much bigger and there is always a lot going on, she is loving it and is feeling very grown up. Michelle also got a part time contract teaching Grade 5, back at her old school again, for this school year. She is working 3 or 4 afternoons a week and is enjoying it for the most part - just maybe not the homework/report cards/etc that go along with it!! The kids attend an after school program at one of their schools until one of us gets home. So it has made for some longer, busier days and has been an adjustment for us all! We are fortunate that Matt's job at Shaw remains flexible and he is able to work from home or take some days off when necessary.
Lewis returned to Beavers this fall. Jaina is now in Guides, along with Michelle as a leader. It has been lots of fun so far, this year we have already been to Drumheller to have a sleepover at the Tyrrel Museum under the dinosaur skeletons! Both kids have been doing gymnastics again too.
October was as always busy for us too. We popped down to Lethbridge to see some family for Thanksgiving. We celebrated Jaina's 9th birthday the week before Halloween. Halloween was colder this year than the past few, but that didn't stop people from their trick-or-treating in our neighborhood! There is still some candy to be found around our house...
In November we celebrated Matt's birthday and also enjoyed the Christmas party that Shaw puts on for their employees. Michelle survived report cards, conferences and a few special events at school. We were proud of both kids' report cards and what their teachers had to say at their conferences too. In December we are looking forward to Shaw's children's Christmas party and are busy getting ready for Christmas here at home. We are all looking forward to seeing family and friends, and spending lots of time together during the holidays.
Thank you for taking the time to read our letter and look at our photos. All of our family and friends, you are so important to us and we love all of you! We especially enjoy receiving your cards and greetings and reading about what you and yours have been up to all year too, so keep in touch! Wishing everyone joyous times with your family this holiday season, and health and happiness in the New Year!
Lots of love,
Michelle, Matt and family
