Goodbye 2010, Hello 2011

When I started this blog in January 2010, my goal was to post once a month. Even though I didn't quite reach the goal, I did enjoy blogging about the events of 2010 in the Sowards household. This post contains some of the highlights from August through December. In the first photo, the boys are obviously having mixed feelings about the first day of the 2010-2011 school year. We are very blessed to have some of the best teachers ever. Conner is in Mrs. Tucker's 5th grade class and Brady is in Mrs. Chavers' 3rd grade class.

Brady ready to help me make Piggie Pie with his class

Conner's class making Pilgrim hats from fudge stripe cookies and Reese's cups

Both of the boys also played soccer again this year and had a great time! They both made their respective all-star teams and played on the same day in two DIFFERENT towns. Hubble got to watch Conner in Andalusia and I got to travel with Brady to Eufala. After an exciting season, we decided to sit out for basketball this year. We have enjoyed getting to be home more at night, but are looking forward to baseball!

In November, I was very excited to see some dear, sweet friends. Kim Halstead's sister had a surprise 40th birthday party and invited me to Perry, GA to attend. I was able to catch up with Kim along with Shelly Snead (both friends from Auburn), Shelly's mom - Nelda (who lived in Auburn when we were all in school), and I got to meet Shelly's newly adopted daughter, Savannah! We all agreed that we should not wait nearly as long before we get together again!

This picture taken on Thanksgiving Day shows just how outnumbered I am around our house. Even our dog, Toby, is a boy! But just two days after this picture was made, I was the only one still smiling.....WAR EAGLE!

The children's choir at Carolina Baptist Church had its annual Christmas program on

December 5. The musical was called "The Birthday of a King" and all of the children were dressed as angels and shepherds except, of course, for Mary and Joseph. It was a simple, but refreshing way to begin the Christmas season.

Conner celebrated his 11th birthday on December 6. We invited family over after the Christmas program for soup, sandwiches and birthday cake! It's hard to believe how fast the past 11 years have gone by. Conner designed his Tron cake and asked to go see the movie for part of his birthday gift.

CHRISTMAS 2010

The next several pictures show our family and the many celebrations we enjoyed during this year's Christmas season:

Conner and Brady are ready for Santa!

Conner and Brady were asked to be in the wedding of a sweet couple - Courtney Paul and Kevin Johnson - on December 11. They were especially excited that Kevin has been drafted by the California Angels and that maybe this picture could one day be the proof that they knew him "back when!"

We celebrated Christmas at Grandmother's house on December 23rd. The picture above shows 8 of her 11 great-grandchildren. The picture below captures her as she told us over and over how blessed she was to have us all there. I feel very blessed to have celebrated with her. I know there are not a lot of people who can say they've celebrated Christmas with their grandmother at her home for 39 years in a row!!!

Hubble's brother Russell, Angela and Brynne

My "little brother" Micah, Kelley and their girls Allie and Amy

My "big brother" Brad, Becky, Peyton and Emory

My sister Sunny and her three girls: Katy, Aubry and Lydia

(and their newest family member - "Charlie" - the dog)

Hubble's brother Michael, Tabitha and their boys: Jackson and Dylan

Papa Pete, Mama Gin and their "crew"

Daddy Jim, Nana and their "bunch"

We also travelled to Nashville to see Hubble's daddy along with Jeanne, Ashley, Trevor and Delaney - but I forgot to take my camera.

I also noticed as I posted these pictures that somehow Blake managed to dodge the camera!

And this last picture shows why I am never ready for Christmas to end: I love having my tree up and my mantle decorated....Christmas makes my home feel so warm and cozy!

So.....until next year.....

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6.

May God bless you and your family in 2011!