Highlights of 2011 & Questions of 2012

Last year was, the most challenging, exhilarating, and adventurous year of our young lives. Here are the highlights:

1) The Hub Winter Camp

We went up to Buck Creek Camp in Enumclaw, Washington with a bunch of crazy junior high and high school students. We played four square and ate all the peanut M&M's our stomachs could stomach. Garrick and I each stayed with a cabin of students and got lots of sleep! ;) For me, it was the last retreat with all of my girls. Can't wait to come to The Hub when we're back in the states!



2) Mother's Day in Kirkland

My parents, Garrick and I had brunch at Anthony's Homeport on the Kirkland waterfront for Mother's Day. Breakfast is our favorite food and activity. Mostly because bacon, cheese, and potatoes rock. Paired with my parents, it's impossible not to have a good time. After brunch we walked around the marina and had a quick photo shoot. My dad and Garrick wanted to keep posing for more photos, but modeling isn't their strong point.


3) Biking Trip on Whidbey Island

For our 3rd Anniversary, we camped at South Whidbey State park and biked the hills, valleys, and coastline of the island. Although at one point I sat on the side of the road and threatened to call a cab, I am proud to say we did it! Garrick acquired quite the biker tan line and my legs have never looked better. Again with the our love of breakfast, we ate at the Kneed & Feed in Coupeville, home of the best cinnamon rolls! All in all, a yummy and butt-kicking anniversary.



 4) Baseball

Garrick and his friend Jefff (yes with 3 f's) Rodland coached for Bellevue Baseball Club's 13U team. To say that Garrick likes baseball is not true. He loves baseball. I got to sit in the stands and chat with the team moms. This is especially fun if Garrick corrects the player who's mom I'm sitting next to. Jefff has a lovely wife Lindsay, and we had fun cheering on the team and our husbands!

5) Family

Two little boys and a red Ford truck is a recipe for cuteness. Recently we've been able to Skype with the two in the photo and Brayden makes lots of funny faces and shows us his toys, and Ryan smiles, waves, and says, "oh!" We lived with Garrick's family, in his old bedroom, for the three months before we left, only 10 minutes away from my parents. And, once a month we ate dinner & corn with my grandparents. We miss our family!


6) Going Away Parties

From The Hub sharing funny stories about Garrick, to all of my great girlfriends, we often were overwhelmed by the love we felt before we left. Can't wait to see all of you later this year! Our time apart has made us realize you're not that bad. ;)

7) Hello, St Andrews. Nice to meet you!

By far, the night we arrived in St Andrews was one of the hardest we've had here. Garrick thought it was fun to camp out on our living room floor, and I soaked my sleeping bag with tears. Garrick said about a week later that he was impressed with how fast I recovered and says I have "emotional whiplash." Whether we're playing Euchre, listening to Mark speak at Trinity, or walking on the East Sands, St Andrews is quickly becoming a place we'll miss. Because this whole blog is about our move here, I'll leave it at that.

Just four months ago we planned, packed, and planned some more for our year abroad. Scotland was all we thought about. What would our life be like? Where would I work? Who would be our new friends? What church would we go to? Would we like Scotland?

Now that we've finally settled in, it's time to start thinking about next year already. We don't know where we'll be 9 months from now, but we know we'll be together. :)

I feel like I'm performing CPR on this blog every week. Ask us anything your dying to know and we'll write a response! We need active readers!!