Well, as I'm sure you've noticed, our "Christmas" cards are just a wee bit late. That's what happens when you move, celebrate Christmas, and make two trips to California, all within three weeks.
We know that it's January -- but Merry Christmas from the Girards! It has been a rocky year for us, one filled with both rough challenges and immense blessings. Through it all, we have been so grateful to have the unending support of our family and friends.
We are blessed to count you amongst them and hope that you had a wonderful Christmas season.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Werner and Elizabeth
The year got off to a bit of a rough start when Werner's job teaching at Peoria High School was uncertain. Thankfully, he got to stay at his school and moved from teaching English to being the Theater teacher. His production of "Fools" was a hit and he has spent countless hours re-energizing and organizing the theater program. Werner is also the worship leader at our church and does a great job balancing family, work, and church.
Elizabeth has been mostly a stay-at-home mom and tries her best to keep Rand and Ella occupied, educated, and entertained. She has been working on growing her dog training and boarding business. She also began volunteering for a local Special Olympics Equestrian group, and has really enjoyed being involved with horses again.
We have been able to make several trips to California to visit family and friends, and also drove to Iowa for a wedding/Fisher family reunion. It was a great road trip experience and we hope to go on a new adventure next summer.
Most recently, we were very blessed and moved from our teeny condo into a 3400 square foot house on nearly 1.5 acres in Avondale. It is about 4 miles from our old home, but in a lovely rural subdivision. We are loving all of the space! The house is definitely a work in progress, but we have lots of plans and will put any visitors promptly to work.
With Rand in Iowa
Elizabeth has been mostly a stay-at-home mom and tries her best to keep Rand and Ella occupied, educated, and entertained. She has been working on growing her dog training and boarding business. She also began volunteering for a local Special Olympics Equestrian group, and has really enjoyed being involved with horses again.
We have been able to make several trips to California to visit family and friends, and also drove to Iowa for a wedding/Fisher family reunion. It was a great road trip experience and we hope to go on a new adventure next summer.
Most recently, we were very blessed and moved from our teeny condo into a 3400 square foot house on nearly 1.5 acres in Avondale. It is about 4 miles from our old home, but in a lovely rural subdivision. We are loving all of the space! The house is definitely a work in progress, but we have lots of plans and will put any visitors promptly to work.
Outside our new home
Ella's first pair of shoes
With Rand in Iowa
Easter Sunday
Rand
Rand is a delightful 4-year-old who constantly entertains and challenges us with his questions and deep thoughts. Rand is learning how to ride a bike and is starting to read on his own. He loves trains and is better than his Mom at Wii games. He took karate lessons this fall and excited about playing soccer in the spring.
At the local pumpkin patch's corn maze
Rand is a wonderful big brother!
Turning 4
Playing on rocks in Iowa
Friday, December 11, 2009
Ella
Our Ella has changed from this:
....to this! in 12 months.
Ella is now 17 months old, and is our fearless little monkey who loves to climb anything and everything. She has a fascination with phones and tries on any shoe that she finds lying around. Her vocabulary grows every day and she loves doing whatever Rand (or "Annnn!" in Ella language) is doing. She loves our dogs and yells, "HUSH!" at them whenever they bark.
First ponytail! At last!
We play a game called, "Where is the Ella now?"
First riverboat ride -- this was the smallest lifejacket they had.
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