Vines in the Mountains: Goodbye 2010, Hello 2011!

The years have been going by faster and faster since Gi was born in 2008 but this year in particular seems to have just flown by. It's probably because the pregnancy meant my body and outlook and then day-to-day life was changing with each month since January when I found out we were expecting again. Any year you bring a new life into being is bound to seem more important and more special, at least it is to me.

In 2010 we have seen our property complete an entire four seasons and we have decided we love it best in spring, full of blooming apple trees, buzzing bees and ripe blackberries perfect for staining our fingers purple and quite delightful made into jam. Gi underwent an adenoidectomy and ear tube surgery after many months of persistent ear infections and high fevers. We found out we were expecting our second child. We took our first family vacation to Hawaii and showed Gi the joys of hang loose beach life and shaved ice. We took many trips to the bay area to visit friends and family over the summer, alternately visiting the grand redwoods of Muir Woods, the picturesque coast near Pescadero, treating Gi to her first thrill rides at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk and listening to the sounds of the animal kingdom at the San Francisco zoo. By the end of the summer we were anxiously awaiting the arrival of our baby girl and in the first week of October she made her entrance to this world! We enjoyed a long visit with Ben's parents from France and took Gi trick-or-treating for the first time in the neighborhood. She still loves to parade around the house in her orange butterfly costume that her grandma helped make. The usual whirlwind of family and friends at Thanksgiving followed by a splendid first glimpse of snow at the house, a harbinger of the cold winter that greeted us as we counted down the days to Christmas. This year, Gi didn't cry when she saw Santa and even summoned the courage to talk to him a little, making sure to ask for lots of presents, so content with that she didn't think she needed to tell him what kind.

There are so many things to be thankful for this year. A new life. A growing, healthy family. All our family and friends who make such a special effort to stay in touch and visit often. But most of all, what I'm thankful for about 2010 is that my children, especially Gi after her surgery, have had no illness a little tlc and tylenol couldn't cure and we have every reason to believe 2011 will bring more of the same. Little Gi had a wonderful year. A first year of only minor colds and no trips to the doctor! That's all a mother could wish for.

Here's wishing you a healthy, happy new year in 2011. From our family to yours!

And now, here's a memoriam to 2010 in pictures: