Sunday, January 2, 2011

Happy 2011--













Welcome to the new year! 2010 had some amazing highlights but 2011 promises to be a year of incredible firsts and new things.

Memories from 2010 included:

* enjoying the Fremantle lifestyle with a cat-sit at Edmund St, just a short walk from the beach and our new church home at St Pauls.
* Hiking the Overland Track in Tasmania--wow, what an experience!
* Celebrating my dad's birthday in January--still missing him terribly.
* Mike's visit to Australia in March--complete with Aussie BBQ, big game fishing, a trip to the outback and some prospecting and LOTS of photos.

*Loren & LoRae's visit in April--with a visit to Margaret River, a dive on the wreck HMAS Swan (much deeper than Nathan was supposed to dive!), and a glimpse of our ideal retirement.
* Singing the Hallelujah Chorus with the St Paul's choir for Easter, and Nathan's "surprise" trumpet solo for Joshua Fit the Battle at the St Paul's Consecration.
*saying goodbye to Nathan's grandma, Ethel Mannix online while Kristin recovered from surgery in May.
* moving to the 'burbs (Secret Harbour) to take care of a house and 2 red setters, giving up Foxtel, and being pregnant in 3 weeks!

* Catching up with friends at Kristin's 20 year HS reunion
*Kristin's long visit back to the US to spend time with family & Nathan's rushed visit just in time to see his mom break her shoulder!
* Discovering we were were 10 weeks pregnant just in time for our 14th wedding anniversary.
*Kristin acting as guest musical director for Band of Angel's Gospel Choir for 6 weeks, culminating in 2 performances (one for the Fremantle City Council at Christmas).
* Co-Hosting an orphan's thanksgiving for the North American students with Emily & Justin
* Finding Advent and Christmas sermons take on new meaning and relevance when you are waiting for a baby, too.
* Singing for Christmas at St Pauls, enjoying Christmas dinner with the Gwynnes & Michael & Jen.

We are looking forward to 2011 with the many new experiences that it will bring:
* A baby boy on April 1, 2011 (no foolin'!)
* 15 years of marriage (and 20 years together)
* visits to Australia from Deb, Tim & Caitlyn, Bonnie (Kris' mum) and Gretchen (Nathan's mum)
* a visit home in June/July for a christening/Nathan's 20 year reunion (?)
* Kristin's year-long maternity leave (thank you, Murdoch!)
* moving to a new home & buying a new "baby-friendly" car
* getting Australian citizenship (we aren't giving up our US citizenship, just want to have a passport that matches our son's!)
* first everythings--cries, laughs, poos, words, haircuts, teeth and more!

We'd love you to be a part of it--come for a visit, keep in touch! We promise to talk about something other than baby stuff.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Nathan & Kristin

5 comments:

Mary Ann Solmonson said...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to both of you. What a wonderful year you have ahead of you. We are very excited for the arrival of little boy Mannix!! Seems like boys are becoming the domiate sex in the Halvorson family these past few years. How fun to have so much company to look forward to. Blessings to you know, even though many of us are far from you, our love is close to your hearts!!
Mary Ann and Al

Loren said...

Thanks for the update and all the news and future plans. A boy? That is great and always like new news.

We are hoping Todd and Steph are coming for the class reunion and you are welcome as well. We will make room for all five of you. As we have said we do babysit and cook. You may have to help clean but then class reunions you may not be around much anyway.

So please, when making plans, put Juneau on your list. We would welcome you all with open arms.

Love, Loren and LaRae

Unknown said...

I was also thinking that the Halvorson's have been having a rash of boy babies...Your life has been full this past year, and 2011 doesn't look too calm. You are going to have such funI am so looking forward to seeing you all - (I know it's probably because of hockey, Nathan- but I always like you in a beard...) Love, Mom/Gretchen

Reb said...

Oh My gosh! I just was catching up on your blog! So excited to hear you are going to have a baby! And soon!

I would love to come and visit you guys. However, I just got back from hawaii and realized that is the halfway point to Oz... Maybe someday!

Think of you both often and wishing you well. Love, Rebecca

Reb said...

Drop me a note sometime if you have time. The best email to reach me is rkarbon@qbp.com

Rebecca