{D} Chronicles 2011 Edition

I have to say that this year Christmas has completely snuck up on us. I don’t know if it because we have been so busy with our almost-walking little boy, or because Great Falls has had a very warm December and we have yet to have any snow that is willing to stick around.  Nevertheless Christmas is a week away, and I could not be more thrilled.  This week has started off in stellar fashion with the birth of Penelope Kaydee yesterday (Dec 19) to our best friends Brian and Dana (mentioned often on this blog); I am happy to report both mom and baby are doing great!  I expect the rest of the week to continue in a similar manner.  Big plans include driving to Sandpoint, Idaho on Friday to spend Christmas with the Kelly/Cline side of the family and we can’t get going soon enough. Then, it’s back to Montana to meet up with Matthew’s parents to kick off the New Year.

2011 has been a rewarding year that has gone by in a blur. Good thing Laurel got us a camera last year so that we could capture as much of it as possible (not that I could get around to blogging most of that L ). Matthew has kept busy this year continuing to save the world from nuclear destruction one 24-hour alert at a time. He upgraded to commander which is a great way of saying more responsibility but at least he has a better sleep schedule.  He was also selected to go to Barksdale, LA to compete in the Global Strike Challenge against our other missile bases and brought back some hardware by winning the best Weapon System Operations trophy with his crew partner John as well as the best Operations Group trophy for the Malmstrom team by having the best combined team score.  To brag on him a little more, he is also working hard on his Master’s degree while being the best dad and husband of all time. Don’t know how he does it all, but he does.

Garrett has gone from being completely dependent on Mom and Dad to already wanting to do almost everything on his own in just ten short months. He is a new joy and a new challenge every day.  Just when I think he’s occupied with something, I look up to see that I need to be looking for him again.  Thank goodness I have women’s bible study at our church, the 490^th spouses club, and the local MOPS group to continue to encourage me, get parenting tricks, and remind me to savor every moment.  I am so thankful for the ladies here who I love to laugh, cry, and let my hair down with. 

This next year is the year of travel! We will be attending a couple of weddings across the country, not to mention a trip to England this summer for Matthew and I to visit some friends and maybe catch some of the Summer Olympics!!  There will also definitely be a trip to Denver in March for some much needed time back in Broncos Country.  So, my short Christmas letter turned into a long one, but I hope you feel completely up-to-date. You did choose to come to our blog on your own accord. J Many blessings to you and your family this Christmas and in 2012! 

“Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom” – Psalm 145:3