It's hard to believe that another year, and another Christmas, has come and gone so quickly. The kids have really grown this year. Matthew started school and is loving it! After stressing about having to pack his lunch all summer, I've realized that it's not so bad, especially when you've got a boy who eats like Matthew. Not surprisingly, math and gym are his best subjects, and lunch is probably his favorite time of day when he gets to play with all his buddies. A lover of all sports so far, Matthew has played basketball, soccer, swimming, and hockey over the past few months and is having a blast! He also regularly whoops Grampy S. and Grampy B. at "garage hockey" and soccer :-)
Anna is our little diva, complete with charm and drama. She's very girly, and always wants to wear a dress at every opportunity. I've learned that there is no point in trying to reason with her as she is the most stubborn person in this family! She also loves for Nana and Grammie S. to put "pretties" in her hair and paint her nails. Anna participated in her first independent activity this fall when she started dance. It took 3 classes before she would get off the chair and join in, but she ended up really enjoying it and Chad and I were so proud watching her first receital in December.
Chad continues to busy with work and travels quite often. The outdoor industry suits him well as he's been completing 10 kms, half-marathons, and triathlons from spring-fall, and recently joined a basketball league for the winter. I'm trying to take a page from his book and hope to find a soccer team to play with in the spring. Work has also been busy for me and we are both fortunate to work with great co-workers and enjoy challenging employment! Now that the kids are a bit older, I'm also enjoying some relaxing time and have been reading lots a great books (highly recommend the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Game of Thrones series') and even attended two weekend scrapbooking retreats in 2011.
We were really lucky this year to take advantage of our vacation time (and some travel vouchers for all the times Chad's flights are late/cancelled or his bags lost). Chad and I went to Florida in March for the first time in 8 years. Highlights of our trip include drinking butter beer at Harry Potter World, driving through the Everglades, having a very close encounter with an alligator while on an airboat in the mangroves, and seeing a barracuda while snorkeling in Key Largo. We also spent time in PEI with the entire Barker clan and Matthew is insisting that we go back next year. Shining Waters, the beach, Avonlea Village and ice cream....doesn't get much better when you're 5! We had a great time in PEI and then headed to the Tobique to spend some time with Great Grampy B and relax at the camp. Our travels will take us to California this March to visit with Paul, Lauren, Owen, and new baby boy Barker - we're getting excited already!!
All in all, we've had a pretty good year! We're well settled into life on "The Lane" and enjoy regular bonfires, pot lucks, and fun evenings with the Lost Creek Gang! We live close to most of our family and the kids are very lucky to be spoiled by their grandparents frequently. They also love seeing their cousins, and this year saw the birth of another little Smith princess, with Baby Cate arriving in March. We cherish catching up with old friends at weddings, special outings, and of course, Halloween!
We never get to see everyone as much as we'd like, but feel so blessed to have so many family and friends in our lives. We hope this letter finds you all happy and well and wish everyone all the best in the New Year! Below are a few photos from this past year.
Much love from Mel, Chad, Matthew and Anna
Barker family in PEI
At Harry Potter World
Matthew at basketball
At Adam and Jill's wedding in PEI
The kids on the ferris wheel at Atlantic Playland
Anna at Rushtons Beach Provincial Park
Chad and Matthew at the Terry Fox Run
Me and my girl after Anna's dance receital, and the kids with Grammie and Grampy S at Upper Clements Park, below.
