The highlight of 2018 was time spent out west with Matt's family. We traveled to Grand Teton National Park (where we met up with Matt's parents & his brother) then toured the Tetons, Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks. Our country is so beautiful - to see it with his family made our trip & memories all the more special.
Other highlights included heading north to Canada to visit Banff & Jasper National Parks as well as taking a tour through Civil Rights history over Spring Break. The trip was heartbreaking but it was so important to teach the kids this ugly part of our American history. We also traveled to Cincinnati to watch the Cubs vs. Reds for a double header (we got to "Fly The W" for one of the games!) and to Michigan for the Hart Family Reunion in August.
Matt is in his 3rd year with Northwest Respiratory Services. He drives many miles but enjoys caring for his patients. He continues to serve at church on the security team and has weekly meetings with friends to study the bible / Hebrew. I am in my 8th year with Chick-fil-A! Hard to believe that it has been that long! Besides working, I love being involved in the kids' school activities (they keep me busy).
Kaitee - here's my 525,600 minutes in review. In January, I sat behind a steering wheel for the first time. Driving hasn't really become a major part of my life, not quite yet. This year I turned 16! My big birthday gift was quite possibly one of my favorite gifts/experiences of all time: I got to see the musical Hamilton in Chicago! Granted, the performance was two full months after my birthday, but it was still amazing to get to go to an actual theater to watch an actual performance of one of my favorite musicals, in person! Definitely a highlight of 2018. Other highlights included visiting the town of Rouleau ("Dog River" in the Canadian sitcom Corner Gas) during our big trip this summer, sitting down to read (whenever I could) and just hanging out with family and friends.
Alex - I am 14 years old and just started high school. I don't have a busy schedule like last year, but I am still active with things. In school, I am a part of pep band and jazz band (playing Flute & Tenor Saxophone), Bible study and I am taking French. In band, we have to audition for chair placements. I was placed in first chair (Flute) and am super excited that I get the opportunity to have solos. I started babysitting this year and am really enjoying it. It is also helpful that they live only a couple minutes (walking distance) away, so it is easy to go back and forth. I also still volunteer to watch the kids at church. I normally help two weekends a month and am really enjoying it.
Will - I am 12 (almost 13 in one month!). This fall I started 7th grade. I have been involved in Cross Country, First Lego League (we just had our annual competition), Chess Club and Band. I enjoy learning new music for Jazz Band and had my first experience with Marching Band. I still collect Legos and love building and rebuilding sets / creations. Dad & I started participating in Trail Life this last Spring and I really enjoy the things that we do as a troop (camping, fishing, projects, etc). I also am involved with Tech Team at church (that is one of my favorite things)!
Maddie - I am 12 years old and in 7th grade. This year I get to be involved in more clubs and more sports because I am a 7th grader. I decided to do Yearbook, Newspaper and the Musical. For the sports I wanted to do volleyball so I worked really hard to accomplish that. After surviving 2 days of try outs, I made the team (out of 40 girls)! By the end of the season I could play all around and I won the Hustle award! I just tried out for the winter volleyball league and made it! We start tournaments in January. This year has been really fun and exciting.
Matt & I enjoy a weekly date night while all four kids are at youth group. Usually involves dinner and errands, lol. As we look forward to 2019, we realize that all 4 kids will be teenagers! As is the case with teenagers, we are on the cusp of lots of driving lessons, late nights, new adventures, after school jobs, braces (Kaitee is now done! Alex, Will & Maddie are just starting!) and growing independence. Fun times, fun times!
We pray that your 2018 was full of joy and fun-filled memories and may 2019 bring more! Remember to take a moment to reflect on Jesus this Christmas, the Light of the World - come to bring us everlasting peace! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.
Much Love,
Matt & Becki Hart
Kaitee, Alex, Will & Maddie
www.hartx6.blogspot.com
No comments:
Post a Comment