The new year is upon us in just a few days, and because I’ve only written a handful of entries this year, I’m going to use this opportunity to summarize 2010 David Letterman style, in “The Woodruff Family Top 10 Highlights of 2010”
10- Owen’s neighborhood “Friends”
Thanks to a super charged squirt gun from Grammy and Grandpa, Owen quickly made friends with some 5 year olds in our neighborhood. He would quiver with excitement at the thought of playing with his “friends”... Luke and I, not so much, mostly because the kids were quite a bit older then Owen and most of them could use a lesson in respect and sharing. However, funny to think that there are some waist-high people out there who know Luke and I as “Owen’s parents”.
9- New Orleans, trip away from Owen
The dental office that I work for made a trip to New Orleans last spring for a conference on implant dentistry. This was a first for me- visiting New Orleans and spending more then one night away from Owen. I enjoyed seeing a little bit of this historic city and Luke and Owen did great together while I was gone.
8- Summer hiking
We spent quite a few sunny saturdays hiking some of the trails around Juneau. Luke packed Owen in the backpack and I packed unborn Annabell. Many of the trails have cabins at the end, and Owen decided that when he gets bigger, he’s going to have a big slumber party at one of the cabins with all of his friends and dinos and toys and books and swimming pool and...
7- Owen - letters
Owen started showing interest in letters this year. It started out with a placemat that had the alphabet printed around the edges. From there, Owen learned how to spell his name and then started learning many of the letters. When Grammy and Grandpa visited last fall, Grandpa brought a movie with Owen that taught him the sounds that each letter makes. I think that next comes reading... 2011?
6- House projects- tile, shed, sunroom
Like everyone, Luke and I have had a list of house projects that we dream of doing. This fall, when my parents were visiting, my dad spearheaded a few of those projects. We now have a nice tile entryway, a porch and sunroom that are level with the rest of the house, and a fully enclosed shed!
5- Sockeye and Coho
Because Luke had a slower charter fishing season this year, we were able to do more personal fishing. We spent several saturdays on the boat, improving our trolling skills and stocking up on salmon.
4- Canadian camping trip
Also, because we had more free-time this summer, we got to take a 6 day camping trip to Canada. Although the weather wasn’t optimal, we had a great time riding the ferry, seeing a little bit of the yukon and dialing in the wall-tent set-up/take-down.
3- Owen potty trained
Thanks to Lela Paden, Owen spent the majority of 2010 wearing big boy pants. Yipee!
2- IBEW
After 13 years of guiding, Luke hung up his waders and has pledged allegiance to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Luke has been feeling the need for a change of occupation for a few years now, but nothing has worked out. However, in December, he started an 8000 hour (4-5 year) apprenticeship a position. So far, he’s been enjoying the work and learning a lot. Union YES! ;)
1- Annabell
...and the surprise #1 highlight of 2010 was the birth of our sweet Annabell Lee. She is a precious girl, 16 pounds at 2 1/2 months old. She’s a good nurser and sleeper, getting up to eat just once a night. She’s talking and smiling and kicking and we are all in love.
Happy New Year to you!!!
