2006 - A Year In Review
Every year we try to send out an annual Christmas letter to keep our family and friends updated on our lives in the passing year. This year we are not only sending out that letter but also posting a version of it here on the blog. We tried not to duplicate too much, so those who have kept up with our blog may not have gotten a letter w/ their card and some of the below may be a repeat. Here nor there, enjoy!
2006 - A Year In Review
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We hope this letter finds you and yours doing well this holiday season. It's hard to believe that this is our 3rd Christmas together and each year we’ve written our annual letter from a different home. This year we’re writing you from chilly Woodbridge, VA. Oh what a busy and exciting year it has been!
We started 2006 with a bang. Nathan received the long awaited new job he had been working towards. Surrounded by family and friends, we cheered him on at graduation from training! I, Alison, could not help but be proud to see all the effort pay off as he achieved his dream. It’s a tremendous accomplishment, though one that did not come without sacrifice and dedication from both of us. The day after graduation the snow came down while the moving trucks pulled up as we moved into our new home here in Woodbridge, VA. The day after that – work began and life continued.
In February, we celebrated our second anniversary together. In March, we had visits from our cousins Joey & Kim and Alison’s friend Jody from Charlotte. In April, Nate turned 30 and Alison spent “Spring Break” with her family at the lake house in Georgia. May arrived and we traveled to Athens, GA to see Stephen graduate from The University of Georgia. Go Dawgs! June quickly followed with a family vacation in Hilton Head Island, SC with the family. In July, we went and saw Jenna in Tennessee and Alison’s parents came up to DC for a visit. August brought another visitor as John, Nate’s little brother, flew up to see us. Labor Day was spent back in Georgia water skiing and playing at the lake house. Later in September, we went to Annapolis, MD for some Navy football and towards the end of the month we spent a long weekend in Philadelphia and New York City with our friends Hilary and Ben. In October, Nate ran the Army 10 miler, Alison journeyed with friends to Sweet Briar, VA for our churches Women’s Retreat and we had a blast at the Pumpkin Carving Party thrown by our Sunday School class. November brought the cooler weather and the Thanksgiving holiday. We were at Arlington Cemetery for Veterans Day and heard the President speak. We were in Philadelphia again the first weekend of December for the legendary Army Navy football game. Beat Army!
In July we were faced with devastating tragedy when a dear family friend, Jenny Ewing, was killed. I know when I look back on this year of my life that is what will stand out most and has had the most profound impact. Mrs. Ewing taught me so much about being a woman, about being a wife and about being a mother. She lived a life that reflected Christ with her tireless service to others, her love for her family and her generous spirit. She was taken from us too soon and her absence is deeply felt.
All in all, our life here in Virginia is good. Nate loves his job. It’s everything he hoped it would be. Alison joined the music ministry at our church as a member of the Praise Team that leads worship on Sunday mornings. She is enjoying singing again and serving in this capacity. We’ve both been blessed by the friends God has provided up here both new and old. Bailey, our sweet dog, loves his new digs here in VA. He is such a trooper and truly our biggest fan. He is looking forward to driving home with us at Christmas and seeing everyone.
We’ve had many visitors in 2006 and have also traveled a lot ourselves. We have really gotten to see DC and the surrounding area because of it. Thank you all for coming! We look forward to seeing you again and the friends who haven’t yet come in 2007. The door is always open!
We hope this Christmas season has filled you with much joy and peace despite the rush and demands that can cause distraction. We pray you find the true meaning of Christmas at the heart of all that you do and that God’s love is radiated to you through His gift to us, His Son.
Love,
Alison, Nathan & Bailey Dog
2006 - A Year In Review
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We hope this letter finds you and yours doing well this holiday season. It's hard to believe that this is our 3rd Christmas together and each year we’ve written our annual letter from a different home. This year we’re writing you from chilly Woodbridge, VA. Oh what a busy and exciting year it has been!
We started 2006 with a bang. Nathan received the long awaited new job he had been working towards. Surrounded by family and friends, we cheered him on at graduation from training! I, Alison, could not help but be proud to see all the effort pay off as he achieved his dream. It’s a tremendous accomplishment, though one that did not come without sacrifice and dedication from both of us. The day after graduation the snow came down while the moving trucks pulled up as we moved into our new home here in Woodbridge, VA. The day after that – work began and life continued.
In February, we celebrated our second anniversary together. In March, we had visits from our cousins Joey & Kim and Alison’s friend Jody from Charlotte. In April, Nate turned 30 and Alison spent “Spring Break” with her family at the lake house in Georgia. May arrived and we traveled to Athens, GA to see Stephen graduate from The University of Georgia. Go Dawgs! June quickly followed with a family vacation in Hilton Head Island, SC with the family. In July, we went and saw Jenna in Tennessee and Alison’s parents came up to DC for a visit. August brought another visitor as John, Nate’s little brother, flew up to see us. Labor Day was spent back in Georgia water skiing and playing at the lake house. Later in September, we went to Annapolis, MD for some Navy football and towards the end of the month we spent a long weekend in Philadelphia and New York City with our friends Hilary and Ben. In October, Nate ran the Army 10 miler, Alison journeyed with friends to Sweet Briar, VA for our churches Women’s Retreat and we had a blast at the Pumpkin Carving Party thrown by our Sunday School class. November brought the cooler weather and the Thanksgiving holiday. We were at Arlington Cemetery for Veterans Day and heard the President speak. We were in Philadelphia again the first weekend of December for the legendary Army Navy football game. Beat Army!
In July we were faced with devastating tragedy when a dear family friend, Jenny Ewing, was killed. I know when I look back on this year of my life that is what will stand out most and has had the most profound impact. Mrs. Ewing taught me so much about being a woman, about being a wife and about being a mother. She lived a life that reflected Christ with her tireless service to others, her love for her family and her generous spirit. She was taken from us too soon and her absence is deeply felt.
All in all, our life here in Virginia is good. Nate loves his job. It’s everything he hoped it would be. Alison joined the music ministry at our church as a member of the Praise Team that leads worship on Sunday mornings. She is enjoying singing again and serving in this capacity. We’ve both been blessed by the friends God has provided up here both new and old. Bailey, our sweet dog, loves his new digs here in VA. He is such a trooper and truly our biggest fan. He is looking forward to driving home with us at Christmas and seeing everyone.
We’ve had many visitors in 2006 and have also traveled a lot ourselves. We have really gotten to see DC and the surrounding area because of it. Thank you all for coming! We look forward to seeing you again and the friends who haven’t yet come in 2007. The door is always open!
We hope this Christmas season has filled you with much joy and peace despite the rush and demands that can cause distraction. We pray you find the true meaning of Christmas at the heart of all that you do and that God’s love is radiated to you through His gift to us, His Son.
Love,
Alison, Nathan & Bailey Dog
Comments