January - Z was gone a lot this year, and Dad Boxes, sent from on the road, were a highlight for everyone.
February - we finally got around to designing and building a coffee table to go with the sofa! I love it!!
Also, Buddy finally got over his fear of the car. (He now hops in, goes all the way to the third row, and refuses to acknowledge that you're even speaking to him until you've taken him for a spin around the courthouse!)
March -- John and James were both called out for the Order of the Arrow.
In April, we biked the Silver Comet, starting at the AL/GA boarder.
Oh, and took pottery. This was a pretty fantastic month.
John, his best bud, and I volunteered at a Spartan Race. (The plan was to use our credit to race in May, but that fell through. Still, this was a pretty fantastic experience.)
May - prom! Steampunk. Because that's awesome.
And we bought kayaks for the Littles. OH, why did we wait so long? This was huge fun!
And Chemistry. Every week, with two other families. The house is still standing. There were a few explosions. Semi-controlled, and outside. So that was nice. This was hard, and good, and I'm SO glad we did this.
Jacob got to go to Space Camp. He's hooked, he's got his eye on Mars, and is saving to go back for the next level in 2017.
June - James was selected as a model for the Alabama Fashion Alliance. This changed the trajectory of the entire rest of the year. So much to learn, but such an interesting industry. And he loves it.
And back to Colorado! It was hard - very hard - to come back that last time. And did I tell you we hiked the Manitou Incline? I only got 3/4 of the way up before the Littles mutinied, but James and John made it to the top. Also, we got lapped by an octogenarian who clearly runs it daily just because he can, but even that was encouraging.
July -- We tried Durian for the first time. Because how can you not?
And then Jacob's best bud came home and spent a week scrabbling about the rocks with us.
August -- *phew* This one was hard. (That's not me in the pictures - as far as I know, there are no photos of me doing this. But I did it!) For someone who has no depth perception, is uncoordinated and afraid of heights, this was a gigantic feat. Scouting is cool.
September -- James had his first runway show.
And his second...
October -- we were still out in the kayaks every chance we got this Summer. Er, and fall.
And James received the rank of Eagle Scout!
November -- there's been a lot of fiber art action going on, here. I love these little miniature felted critters that Em made.
A visit from friends from out West!
And a birthday outing! (Actually, a lot of the kids turned 18 this year. This has been bittersweet, but the excitement and anticipation win out because they are just. such. great. young men and women.)
December -- we made it. Full lap. Holy cow.
Here's to 2017 bringing us a time of learning, discernment, joy, growth, support (both given and received)...
Be encouraged!
~Dy