No, it's not 2011 already? Here's looking back.

The year of 2010 has come and gone. Here are the best things of the year... or at least some of them.

The year began with some heavy snowfall. As most Logan winters do. We enjoyed it with some winter hikes and picnics. Anything to get outdoors.

The snow really is beautiful. When you are indoors. 

We ate good food. And lots of it. 

 

 Our first sushi making experience. And definitely not our last of the year. 

Smoking. Tons of smoking. 

Thanks Whitesides siblings for Ty's graduation gift. 

 

 We've had as many parties as possible.

  I love a reason to celebrate.

 Shower for baby Josie. Beautiful people and great times. 

 Surprise party for Ralph in Park City. Complete with a game of giant checkers. 

We spent a lot of vacation time in the sand. I really feel like a got around this summer. 

 The beach on the Outer Banks.

 

 

 Sand dunes at White Sands Natl. Monument.

We had some great vacations. It is wonderful to visit family far away.

 The summer treated us real good. 

The warmth of the weather makes for such a great times.

 Enjoying treats at Summerfest. One of Logan's greatest attractions.

The Greenehouse. Oh, this place is too good for words. We spend a few days there every other summer. Basking in the sun. Talking with family. Playing games into the night. Every time we leave I can't wait to go back. 

Finished and started another year of teaching. It feels good to have one year under my belt. Things truly get easier the second time around. 

 This was waiting for me after the first day of school. All my school supplies converted into candy. Ty knows me all to well. 

Fall never disappoints. 

We spent much time at the cabin, wishing the season wouldn't end. 

 

4-wheeling. A new hobby of my fathers. I can't complain. 

Fall in the mountains is truly a magnificent thing. I think I could frame this and look at it forever. 

Halloween was a great success.

 The gnome family. I can't wait to put them in my front yard when the weather warms up.

My dream of being a jelly fish came true. It was all I had hoped it would be. 

 Jack made an appearance. I love this alter ego. I hope he comes to say hi every year.

Being with family. 

This is what tops the year off every time. I hope it stays that way. 

Here are few highlights of some time spent with some people I happen to really like:

 

Feeding ravenous ducks with the Lund girls. I seriously have never seen creatures so hungry. They swarmed us as soon as they saw bread. I wasn't sure if I should be taking pictures, or shouting for help. I had really wished we were being filmed after it was all over.

It seems that most creatures struggle in the winter. Especially when your home freezes over. 

My mom's 1st birthday.

 

These guys. I think these 3 were meant to be like this. Together. Being crazy. All the time.

 McDonald Family Photos

 Christmas cookies with the Johnson's.

 I'd say they turned out pretty tasty. This was a great way to welcome Jolly Ol' St. Nick.

 

This year has been great. 

Just as we thought it couldn't get any better, this fall things got crazy. 

This guy (the one below) had some great things happen.

He's getting published! 

You say, "What does that mean?"

I asked myself the same thing. 

Ty signed a publishing contract with Shadow Mountain (think Fablehaven, Leven Thumps) for a multi-book deal. Scheduled to come out August 3rd. 

Great things are happening for this guy. I always knew they would, I just didn't expect them so soon. 

The whole publishing world is secretive and ambiguous. Quite intriguing, really. I have hesitated sharing too much out of fear of breaking some contract rule. When I know it is safe, I will tell all I can.

Thanks 2010 for being so nice to us. 

In return, we promise to do even more in 2011. 

More baking. More exercising. More talking to family. More reading. More traveling.

More picture taking (or at least stealing them from my sisters.) More learning.

More enjoying our lives.