2010 in Review

As many of you may have realized, our Christmas card only went out to a few this year, so hopefully the rest of you will forgive me for using this open forum to keep in touch with you all.

Here is a review of the year 2010 from my, Janci's, point of view:

Although this event happened in 2009, I must start from there. Dec. 23rd, 2009 Tessa Rose Burns was born to complete the Jason Burns Family. She was born with a bit more hair than the rest of her siblings, but it, too, has a redish tint. Her oldest brother, Grant, instantly noticed their similarity and has had a special connection from her since the beginning. We were blessed to bring her home on Christmas Day. What a gift that was!

We started out the new year as a family of six, thankful for our Suburban that could transport us all from place to place. A couple of our favorite places that the Suburban took us was to Great Wolf Lodge in Washington (in Feb. & Nov.), to the Taylor's cabin in Ukiah (Memorial Day & Labor Day weekends), and to Neskowin on the Oregon coast with church friends.

Grant played coach pitch baseball in the spring, shot his first rifle and pistol at the Taylor's cabin, turned 9 years old with a rockin' dirt bike cake (made by Auntie Sarah), started reading The Box Car Children series, enrolled in the 3rd grade, played basketball for the Focus Heating & Construction team in the fall, and will be receiving the gift of his dreams (don't give the secret away) for Christmas, a DS (new to him, but gently used).

Lydia rode the waves at Great Wolf Lodge, enjoyed having a little sister and not being out numbered by boys, started 1st grade, participated in her first full session of dance (with recitals and all), turned 7 years old with a red carpet birthday bash, was chosen to sing with a group of her peers to sing The First Noel at her school Christmas program, and is truly saying, "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth".

Riley celebrated his 4th birthday at Great Wolf Lodge with his entire family and Granna & Poppa J, enjoyed camping with good friends, started Pre-K five days a week, played soccer for the Focus Heating & Construction team, and enjoyed cutting the Christmas tree with his dad (more about that story to come).

Tessa has gone from a newborn to a busy little beetle. Although she isn't quite walking yet (because she likes to bounce too much), she is very mobile on all fours. She has learned how to open drawers and empty them, give applause upon command, and is very attached to her daddy and her "Bertha" (pacifier). She is a very social little lady and is content to be held by most everyone. Poppa J is her special playmate and they are enjoying regular time together while mommy gets a break once in a while.

Jason invested much of his time and energy into wrestling with his children, playing with my hair to show me love, remodeling our home (almost completed the Australian Cypress flooring downstairs & finished the 1st floor bathroom), and getting the Focus Heating & Construction business name out into the community (as you probably noticed in the boys' sections). Having taken on the position of Head Deacon at our church, he is presented with many opportunities to show Christ's love to those in our church family. We are greatly blessed to have a man that loves God and loves his family.

I, Janci, am busy. As a mother of four amazing children, I get the privilege to love on, discipline, play with, chauffeur, and teach my children. In my spare time, I have had the opportunity to do the school portraits for SCS, photograph 1 month old twins, begin digital scrap booking, and was blessed to spend an amazing weekend away with my Lord.

As we were preparing for this holiday season, we decided to take an adventure into the snow and cut our own Christmas tree. What an adventure that was! Over the river and through the woods we went in search of the "perfect" tree. Just past Detroit, we came upon a wonderful white winterland. Jason continued to drive as I began to fret about the depth of the snow. Eventually, Jason decided we had ventured far enough and it was time to turn around. As quit our forward motion, we became stuck. Thankfully Jason had the foresight to bring a shovel.
He began removing the snow from behind the tires of the Suburban. I was then informed that we needed more weight in the back, so I stood on the back bumper and hung on for dear life. Eventually we were on our way again. When we paused to check out a tree on the roadside, we slid towards the bank and once again got stuck. This time more weight was required on the front of the vehicle, so I became the new hood ornament. There was nothing to hang onto and I was screaming for my dear life, but oh what memories we made. Thankfully we made it home with a tree (CharlieBrowninsh as it is) and will eventually find the time to put up our tree.

May the memories of 2010 bring smiles to your faces and may 2011 be full of occasions to smile all the more!

Love,

Janci & the Burns Clan