2011 has come to a close. As I think of all the changes we have survived, I want to just sink into the couch and hold my head. However when I opened my folder of photos the idea that all this change is a weight on my shoulders evolves into the idea that my life is filled with so many good things. I am, as are the other beloved members of the Goldy clan incredibly blessed.
I look back and see all the fun we have had. It ranges from the small things like a short hike with a neighborhood friend around the Sawnee Mountain Preserve to the spectacular week at Disney World, from discovering the shoe store DSW to buying a stunningly beautiful new home but I think it is the time as a family celebrating birthdays, spending time together discovering our new surroundings and making our house into a home that puts the challenges in their place and rises the blessings to the forefront of my heart and mind.
I want to share with you some of our 2011 pictures which capture the memorable moments of the last year. Of course there are a few more of those moments that our cameras did not record. WARNING! I have posted close to 80 pictures so this is a detailed review!!
The year started off with the girls in high spirits, they are the most energetic passionate little girls. To welcome in the new year in a spirit of family and fun, the Bornac family came down from NC. We all went to our favorite spot in Atlanta, the Georgia Aquarium. It is a place of wonder, adults and children alike had a great time. Over the year we spent many hours wandering around in awe of sea creatures of all sizes.
My brother Royce and his wife Anine welcomed a beautiful little girl into their family. Her name is Taylor. We have yet to meet her but our love of her travels the miles across the sea.
Early 2011was very cold. In fact after the snow, which melted and iced Alpharetta over, we were locked in the apartment for an entire week. We did our best to stay entertained. Books are always our best friend!
Kerry turned 7 and had a fun pony party with some girls from school. There was lots of giggling and running around. She had a brilliant time! She has such a sweet joyful spirit and is growing into such a great little person.
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As proud parents we showed up at school with Scooby Doo cupcakes for all. |
Birthday cake, no matter whose it is always brings big smiles from everyone!
I hope this special bond that these 2 have will always be there and grow into a true forever friendship. I just love to eavesdrop on their games and listen to how they talk to one another. Their love and connection is so evident until of course the first moment of annoyance pops up.
We found ourselves a gorgeous new house. I still have to pinch myself when I look around at how beautiful it is. It is north of Atlanta in Cumming GA, not Tennessee despite what some people might think. It is still a bit rural up here and we see fields with horses and cows and even some goats. It is so quiet and peaceful. We are really enjoying getting settled and making this house our own.
Now that is a KITCHEN!
Just chillin' in the backyard. The girls have so much fun out there, kicking balls, digging holes, setting up obstacle courses and watching the birds from the wooded area behind the fence. We now have 2 hummingbird feeders up and it is not enough to feed all of them.
I know! I could hardly believe we got to meet Cinderella either!
One of the major highlights of the year was witnessing and celebrating Cousin Bobby's First Holy Communion. We were down in Florida with the Falkenberg family and had and really relished in spending time with family. Family came in from far and wide, Georgia, Nova Scotia, Maine and Chicago. When the 4 cousins are together we do not even see or hear them unless they are hungry. They play themselves into an exhausted stupor everyday (with the help of Blaze.)
Shannon graduated from her Georgia Pre-K program, it was a big day! She has such fantastic teachers, we were extremely fortunate and grateful. When asked what she planned to be when she grows up she announced, "A basketball player!"
Pre-K friends!
To celebrate Shannon's 5th birthday, we had a Batman cake at the mall, with a ride on the carousel and then went to Build-A-Bear. Shannon came home with a dalmatian called Dash and Kerry made herself a chocolate lab called Hot Chocolate.
In the summer there is always time for fun and silliness. We have been so fortunate to have Vaishali came and visit us many times during the year.
Panda Mania Vacation Bible School.
Cuddling with Granny B.
I took the girls back to Winston Salem for a summer camp, Camp Oonie Koonie Cha. It is the most awesome music camp. The girls learned so much and loved creating music with their voices and newly made instruments.
More birthday celebrating! This time we were off to the head of the Appalachian Trail to Amicalola Falls with the whole Goldy clan. We spend almost a week in the cabins up there. We ate many s'mores and shared a few glasses of wine, we hiked and panned for gold. Granny Liz was thrilled to be back in her old hunting grounds, wandering around the North Georgia Mountains.
Jim started off our trip to the mountains with a fall through the ceiling from the attic. Crazy stunt and he came off 2nd best with a broken scapula. Ouch!! He did not get to go hiking much or have to cook or clean up, mostly he just vegged-out and recuperated.
A definite highlight of the trip was to go tubing down the Ocoee River. It was so relaxing and yet so fun! The girls were beside themselves with joy!
Popsicle tongue
July had us down to Piedmont Park for the Atlanta Jazz Fest. They had all kinds of booths, we threw some hoops, hit some tennis balls and heard some groovy music. We were lucky to be accompanied by Vaishali and Julia - old and new friends.
It would not have been summer without a trip to Florida. It was so hot we even managed to get Granny B and Aunty Kath in their bathers and splashing around in the pool. The girls were delighted to have playmates. It was such a great visit because it felt like a true holiday with nothing else to do but have fun and enjoy good food and company
No visit with Cousin Erika would be complete without spending time with her horse friends.
More beach time a little further south in Ormond Beach, Florida.
The Aquarium kept calling us back. Kerry is a lover of sea creatures and has an endless fascination with this whole place. Here the girls are with their friends, the Sisak boys.
One cannot live long in Atlanta without going to see the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field. The girls got to run the bases and earned a t-shirt. Shannon was in 7th heaven!
Bill and Laura came up for a visit. They taught the girls so much about space and how to heal animals - it is great to have friends who are a rocket scientist and a vet! Here they are posing with the Falcon's dolphin at...you guessed it, the Aquarium.
First day at their new school, Matt Elementary. We all love the school and are thrilled with our wonderful teachers. Kerry is thriving in 2nd Grade, she loves to read and learn all kinds of things. Shannon started Kindergarten...that was a tough day for Mommy! She too loves school and is determined to learn as much as she can as soon as she can in the hopes that she will catch up with her big sister.
Jim's mom came up to see us with Helen, Erika and Kathleen. We took a drive out to Burt's Pumpkin farm to get ready for the Fall. There were pumpkins of every shape size and color as far as the eye could see and at least 2 people for every pumpkin...still charming to embrace the full experience of Fall. We did also get some delicious apple bread.
Some of our favorite Atlantans, Richard and Eva.
Jim and I got box seats at the Georgia Dome to see the Atlanta Falcons play. That kind of set-up made football a tolerable experience. I think I might drag myself there again if the opportunity arises.
A hike in the Sawnee Mountain Park to experience the loveliness of the Fall.
Ready for trick-or-Treating
Another favorite spot, the Jacksonville Zoo, we made a visit there during the week of Thanksgiving. Do you see Shannon's eye? She had a dangerously close encounter with the nightstand as she rolled herself right out of the bed.
One of our traditions at the Zoo is a trunk picnic, the girls get the biggest kick out of it.
I could not help but sneak in another picture of sweet little Taylor..isn't she precious!
We are proud to now belong to the Girl Scouts. Below is our little Brownie preparing a poster for the Christmas Parade.
Our Daisy also did her bit.
Ho! Ho! Ho! Off we go spreading Christmas cheer.
We really miss our NC friends so hanging out with them even for a few hours reconnects us.
A million lights decorated the Botanical Gardens at Piedmont Park. It was a magical walk through the gardens. It was really great to spend time with some new friends, they are what is helping to make Atlanta start to feel like home. We stopped at the warm-up station for hot chocolate.
Look at those adorable dresses. They have fabric from the girls's favorite teams, the Miami Dolphins and Georgia Bulldogs. Thanks Granny Liz!
Merry Christmas!
We made our annual trip to see the Nutcracker Ballet at the Fabulous Fox Theater. It was a spectacular performance! The Fox was stunning all on its own!
Our little darlings at Christmas Mass.
So in review it has been a great year. Those we spend time with either in person, by email and phone or Facebook, we are so grateful to have you in our lives. Thanks for all the good wishes we received for Christmas and the New Year and we send those wishes back out to all.
May 2012 be all you hope it will be and more.
The Goldy's
Great post and LOVE all the pics!!
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