A year in review

2010 was a fairly great year for us. Not really too many major challenges, not too big of hurdles, it was a pretty great year all in all. I loved it and hope for many years like it but now 2011 will bring many surprises and hopefully good changes. To recap, I'll be posting some of my favorite photos from the last year.

January:
We finally had time off for the first time just to enjoy our new house and as a new family before heading overseas. It was a pretty mild-mannered winter before we left so we got pretty lucky.

I took this picture just a little over 24 hours of arriving in the Philippines. It was Elliott's first time and my husband's 2nd time. E finally met my brother and his family. It was a much needed vacation.

February:

Town religious fiesta. My town celebrates it yearly the first 3 days of February. On the 2nd day, 25+ marching bands compete.

This is at my inherited coconut/coffee farm. I'm the 4th generation owner of these trees and sad to say this is the very last time they probably would have been photographed. Sad to say, they had to be cut down just weeks after we came back to the states.

March:

We played tourists in San Francisco--- a real rarity to locals like my husband, even to adopted natives like myself.

We learned to appreciate more the beauty that it is and got a bit homesick being away from it.

April:

Well, this is my little man's month. He turned 2 and my did those 2 years go by quick. Gone are the diapers and all the baby stuff. No more pacis or bottles and he's really starting to show who he is. 

May:

It was weird seeing our favorite pumpkin farm open in the spring sans pumpkins. It was a true test of motherhood that day and though my patience wore thin here and there, I was glad to witness true friendships.

Summer also decided to come extra early this year.

June:

Well, this is my fella's month. We've always had not just a birthday, but really, he gets the whole month. Instead of being cheated that father's day may sometimes fall on, before or after his birthday, we show him love the whole month.

Summer also officially made its known debut that weekend. It was a definite scorcher.

July:
Little did we know bowling will start to rule our lives. Don't be fooled by E's face. It's simply the look of impatience as to why I so demand to take a picture of him rather than bowling.

I also had personal accomplishments with making macarons. I cried and slaved and have actually made better looking macarons than these ones. Why I wanted to make nut-free ones is beyond me.

August:

It really was the summer I went a little too macaron crazy.

Also, since summer came early, it also left early. Lesson learned not to enroll in swim classes late in the summer. It was FREEZING! My baby did find love for swimming and we will do it again next year.

September:

We visited Monterey for our nephew's birthday, but it also doubled as bringing Elliott back to where we first got stationed, the place where we started our journey on our own feet. It's really odd knowing we can't claim it our residence anymore but it will always be home.

October:

Orange October 2010: The beginning of our son's love for the San Francisco Giants. Now he's one of us crazy folks that scream at the tv during the torture.

We visited family in LA and also stopped by the Elliott Smith wall. Elliott gave us this pose which will always be a great memory from this visit.

November:

Veteran's day: One thing I love about living up here is the community really makes us feel like we're doing something right. Makes the crazy schedules worth it.

I went to the treasure island music festival in October, and to the Yo Gabba Gabba live show in November. I think I can safely say that toddlers party a bit crazier, in a good way.

December:

Are we really already in the "my first bike" stage? 

And what really is December without a great Christmas. We had a great one this year and hope you did too. 

And there goes 2010 just like that. It's hard to believe it's already another year. I have my hands still clutching on tight to the past year. It was a fun one, but here we go 2011. I'm ready to tackle you and make the most out of it just like we did with the past year. May we be stronger and wiser with the coming adventures. Happy New Year everyone.