I realize that last year I wrote our Christmas letter on our blog and then said I would do family updates throughout the year. And that didn't really happen. It was a light blogging year. And again this year on our Christmas card I wrote to check the blog for family updates. New Years Resolution??
I digress as now is a time to reflect on 2011. Time to take a moment and look back before we look forward. My first inclination is to say, gee, we didn't really have much going on this past year. Maybe that is because compared to Nora's arrival in 2010 this year seems quiet. But it really was anything but quiet.
I guess I can start with Nora. She turned ONE on April 23rd! That first year and now another half a year since has gone by so fast. So many milestones happened in 2011. She is walking and talking and eating and growing. All the things she is supposed to be doing. She is a ham and a sweetie with a little bit of stubborn mixed in. I wouldn't have it any other way. She is just a love.
The best part of this year with Nora is seeing her love for her sister and vice versa. I just can never get enough of her saying "Anna". She is always looking for her or playing with her. Sometimes when I go into her room in the morning, the first thing out of her mouth is, "Anna?". I posted a video on Facebook a while back of Nora waiting for Anna to get dropped off by the bus at the end of the school day. It is my favorite time of the day. She stands at our house and screams her name over and over again as the bus arrives and then rushes in for a big hug when Anna gets home. Warms my heart every time. Here is another video that shows this fantastic sister love!
Anna is about to turn 8 in January and in 2nd grade. Talk about time going fast. How did this happen? It is so fun to continue to watch Anna grow into a beautiful, inside and out, young girl. She loves school and spending time with her friends and family. She loves her sister right back but also likes her alone time to read or play. Anna loves to read and especially enjoyed Charlotte's Web this year. So sweet for her to be reading some of my book favorites from that age too. She loves to draw and do crafts. She also enjoys swimming, basketball and piano.
Anna's summer was anything but quiet. She was so fortunate to spend two weeks with my parents in Estes Park, Colorado. Love that she will forever have those memories with them. She loved spending her summer in camp and also at Mary's with Nora!
Chad and I continue to be so thankful and feel so blessed. We both still are working in the same jobs. We had a great year just enjoying time with our family and our friends. We were also fortunate to do some traveling as a family this year. We spent time on the North Shore of Minnesota two times with friends, one in the winter and one in the fall. It is one of our favorite places to be. God's beauty can even be found in the dead of winter on Lake Superior, believe it or not! :) The fall trip to Temperance River State Park was even a camping one. So we got one trip in this year. Hoping that we can do more next year!
Chad and I continue to be so thankful and feel so blessed. We both still are working in the same jobs. We had a great year just enjoying time with our family and our friends. We were also fortunate to do some traveling as a family this year. We spent time on the North Shore of Minnesota two times with friends, one in the winter and one in the fall. It is one of our favorite places to be. God's beauty can even be found in the dead of winter on Lake Superior, believe it or not! :) The fall trip to Temperance River State Park was even a camping one. So we got one trip in this year. Hoping that we can do more next year!
Anna's trip to Colorado was a highlight for her but we also were able to travel as a family with my mom to California. I was attending a work conference that was just a meer 15 minutes from my brother David and his wife Emma. Was great to spend time with them and also a significant amount of time at Disneyland. We rode many many rides and introduced Nora to Disney.
2011 was a year of growth. Our family grows closer together every day. Our relationships with our immediate families experienced growth. And meaningful growth with our friends also continued. But most importantly our faith in God has experienced growth together with all of those close to us. God has provided so much to us and it has not gone unnoticed. We often stop to give thanks. If you are reading this Christmas letter, we have most likely given thanks for you in our lives. We pray that your year gone by has provided much to be thankful for and that we all can look ahead to 2012 with great anticipation!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Love from the Carstens Family!
Chad, Tina, Anna and Nora
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