Considering the old and looking forward to the new, that’s how I’m ringing in the new year! I’m posting my Happy New Year greetings early and will see you all again in 2012!
Highlights of 2011!
Our son Josh opened his own Mortgage Office with his parent company in January and had an open house in February.
Katie and Andrew got married on March 11th in North Carolina before the Magistrate.
My 60th birthday celebrations in March were amazing with several well orchestrated surprises. I’ll never forget the fun and love I was showered with.
We had our first Sisters Weekend trip to Victoria, B.C. in April and we got to meet my new bloggy friend Pondside who treated us to a great tour of her island.
Our cookbook, Mennonite Girls Can Cook was published in May. We had a celebration dinner at Lovella’s and book signings at Lepp Farm Market and Winks. I am so thankful that God brought these beautiful ladies into my life through blogging. Wow! Who could have foreseen this blessing…
Katie traveled to Florida to spend several days with Andrew before he was deployed to Afghanistan with the Marines later in May.
I traveled to Washington D.C. in May with Dear on a business trip and enjoyed seeing so many wonderful historical sites.
In June I started to get serious about dropping some weight so I’d be a happier person when shopping for the Mother of the Bride dress.
We got to meet another bloggy friend in July when Jill came to stay with us and Katie, Jill and I traveled to the Lavender festival in Sequim.
Katie and I traveled to Southern California the end of July and had many fun times with our extended family, including a Bridal shower for Katie.
In August Josh and Laura celebrated their 10 year anniversary in Hawaii with my niece and her husband who also were married in 2001.
In late August Dear and I spent a couple days in Oregon traveling along the coast and inland visiting Multnomah Falls. We stayed at Salishan Spa and Bonneville Hot Springs.
Dan had the fun privilege of learning all about horses and horse back riding this summer. No surprise the horses really take to him. He even road a horse in his hometown parade.
In September we finally found our new church home and have been settling in at Northshore Baptist Church.
October was a very busy month with travels to Canada at the beginning of the month and the end of the month for book signings and cooking demonstrations at the Women’s show. I also traveled to Sacramento for a dear friends funeral.
In October we had the menu tasting for Katie and Andrew’s wedding. That was a very fun appointment tasting so many yummy dishes.
From March until October we enjoyed our season tickets for the Sounder’s Soccer Team! Another successful season, winning U.S. Cup for the 3rd time.
In November we had a Northwest Bridal Shower for Katie. It was so much fun to have so many old friends together again.
Thanksgiving came early for our immediate family with everyone here but Andrew.
Our very first and oldest niece had her first little baby, a girl, in November! A miracle and a great joy!
We traveled with Katie to North Carolina to get her settled into her and Andrew’s military housing in early December.
Andrew arrived safely home from his deployment in Afghanistan on Christmas morning.
God filled our cups in 2011!
What I am looking forward to in 2012!
Celebrating Josh and Dan’s birthdays in January.
Gatherings with the Mennonite Girls in the New Year.
Meeting our new Grand Niece.
Katie and Andrew’s wedding on their one year anniversary in Seattle in March.
Our nephew Levi’s and Kristin’s wedding in May in Southern California.
A new roof on this old house.
Being open to any new adventures and lessons God has in store for us.
Psalm 34:8 (ESV)
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
Psalm 34:8 ~The Message (MSG)
Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see—
how good God is.
Blessed are you who run to him.
Blessings on you in 2012!
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 
You have had a very full year of adventure and excitement! What blessings have been bestowed upon you..I will beat you to “61”..lol!
You had quite a wonderful year Ellen! Is this Jenna’s baby? I gave away the cookbook to Kathi Waldner so I need to order a new one. 2012 should be am even better year! Much love!
Oh my word….I had to stop reading for a bit to let the tears dry. That last picture…SO PRECIOUS!!!!! What a wonderful year. I’m praying God has a few GRAND surprises for you this year! Blessings of great favor to you and yours Ellen! Happy New Year!
What a wonderful, happy year you’ve had! May the next be full of blessings as well. Happy New Year, Ellen!
Okay, you’re messing with my theory that good Year in Reviews are only done by Canadians. ☺ These are so cool. I’ve really enjoyed reading through your year.
Wow, it has been an amazing year! This is a beautiful post, I love it!
So many memorable moments this past year for you and your family. Thank you for reviewing them with us. We praise God with you for Andrew’s safe return and all the happy times this past year. May 2012 bring many exciting times, contentment and joy.
ELLEN !!!! HAVE NO WORDS ,RIGHT NOW BUT HAVE A BLESSED NEW YEAR,TO ALL YOUR FAMILY.. JUST SO BEAUTIFUL :)<3
What a year! I know that many of us must have been praying for Andrew and rejoiced to read your brief message that he was home in Katie’s arms – I cried. It was such a treat to meet you this year, and I hope we’ll meet again one day. In the meantime I am blessed by knowing you in blogdom.
A banner year…so many things to be thankful for! It seems like I have shared much of the journey of 2011 with you…the birthday, the cookbook, and the prayer team for Katie and Andrew. Blessings to you and yours in 2012!
Nice year I’d say…
Looks like a great year and who knows what the future brings…but I know one thing…He is in control and we can make the best out of most things…Blessings to all of you for the New Year 2012. I especially love the photos of Kate.
Thank you for the reminder..to taste and see that the LORD is good! I needed that today.
What a great year 2011 was for you!
Wishing you as much goodness in 2012.
This was a wonderful retrospective, Ellen! You had a wonderful year full of blessings, and now so much to look forward to in the new year. Any diet tips for another future mother-in-law who will be dress shopping soon would be appreciated. I have not been a good girl around all the holiday sweet and treats, I’m afraid..lol
Wishing you and your family a very Happy & Healthy New Year!
Loved reading your recaps Ellen..it was a good year!
Blessings for 2012.
It was that photo of Katie and Andrew that brought tears of joy to my eyes. I have a similar photo with Mia and her Marine 🙂
You’ve had a great year! And here’s to a Happy New Year!
I’ve just enjoyed your year in review while babysitting. The little ones are sleeping.
I loved reading how you have been led. There are so many beautiful photos. It is a joy to be part of your story.
My favorite photo…the last one.
Happy new year dear Ellen.
A blessed year! I love the times that our paths crossed and the fact that communication nd fellwoship happen even without physically being together.
Love how you have your dream list for the new year. Wishing you a very special year ahead!
I love the year in pictures! Happy new year, friend!
Thanks for sharing your life and blessings with us. Have a Happy New Year, Ellen, to you and your family!
Wow….what a great year in review. 2011 has been quite the year for you and your dear ones. Blessings will be yours tenfold and more for 2012…I know it. Happy New Year.
What a year! Many blessings in 2012! I appreciate your friendship!
Happy New Year, Ellen, to you and Dear and your family. Your retrospective was wonderful to see…so many blessings, and 2012 is sure to be just as full of gifts from God’s hand, for He holds our future! Amen to that.
What a wonderful recapping of a wonderfully full and blessed year!
May the coming year be a special one for you and your family — May God grant your every heart’s desire !
What a wonderful recap of your 2011 year! Seems like we have a lot in common – as in turning 60 and a daughter’s upcoming wedding and much more I’m sure! Your pictures are stunning – thank you for sharing and God bless you and your dear ones! Looking forward to reading your blog in the coming year.
No kidding, that was a great year in review. You are such a blessing to so many, it’s no surprise that you were so blessed! May 2012 be another memory making year!