archived postings
Merry Christmas and a Joyous New Year From the Kellers 2009
This year we decided to save money by not printing out a newsletter but using this blog instead. Besides you get to look at more pictures if you want to. I haven’t been very faithful in updating this blog since my last entry was May. That entry covered our trip to Atlanta with Barbara & Larry. We had a great time and were back in time for Michael, my brother's oldest son, and Jen’s wedding. It was a beautiful outdoor wedding and a fun reception.
The next big event in our lives was Annabelle’s 1st Birthday on June 25th and dedication. She is growing up so fast and we thank God we are here to watch her grow and change. She will be 18 months on Christmas Day and if anyone asks about her, I always have lots of stories about what she is doing and her newest "trick". We are still trying to see her once a week. Matt and Jill sold their townhouse and moved into a single-family home in October. Matt is still within 20 minutes of his office so he still has a great commute each day but they have lots of more space now and the new neighborhood is great! They have fixed up a wonderful playroom for Annie and the only child I know that has a blow-up bounce house in a space bedroom. Jill is kept very busy with Annie as she is on the go 24/7 but Jill is also balancing her work with her travel agency Keller Travel.
Wendy and Greg have been busy for months redecorating their home. We even got to help some with painting and repairs. They are official finished and it looks great. They are still both commuting to DC every day to their jobs and balance their lives with lots of running and volleyball after work. Roger and I were able to baby-sit their cats while they took trips to Greece and Italy in the spring, and to Steamboat, Springs Colorado this fall. Roger and I are getting good at this "babysitting" thing!
Also thought I would share also some of our July 4th pictures. We had games, swimming, and grilling, then we all went to my brother Don’s house, to have homemade ice cream and walk a short distance to see the Manassas’s firework display. It was great time yet again this year!
In the middle of all that, we did manage to take some more trips this fall. In September we went to the Pocono’s and tried to find as many waterfalls as we could, did a lot of hiking, but also a lot of "can we stop & rest a bit". The Christmas card picture was taken there. We had such a good time, that I think we will go back sometime soon. Later in the month we headed off to Duck NC with Barbara and Larry. The resort had an indoor pool which Barbara and I really enjoyed, we even did swim aerobics almost every day. Come on ladies, work those hips! We balanced all that exercise off with some wonderful seafood!
In October we had our annual applebutter day where about 45 of family and friends get together to stir all day the 30 gallon copper kettle full of applebutter to make the greatest applesauce around. It rained again (this is the 3rd straight year) and one time it rained so hard it almost put out the open fire under the kettle. But we didn’t hear any complaints; we still had a great time of fellowship and catching-up on all the news and of course eating.
November brings Thanksgiving and we got together again and ate and ate....do you see a pattern here? Our family loves to eat! I love having the family all together and love hosting everyone. We are so thankful that we currently have the space to do it. Also in November we took a trip to Newport, RI. To get there it took ten and half hours by car mostly in the rain! So that was not fun but rest of the week was great—so many shops and restaurants in walking distance. We took the cliffwalk (more hiking! my, we almost need trail names by now) and it was such a beautiful "walk". Also enjoyed going through five of the "cottages" that were built as summer homes for the very wealthy.
Roger and I both are still busy with church volunteering and are so thankful for such a full and blessed life! My prayer is that you enjoy each and every day that God gives us.