To sum up this year, Twenty Twenty-Five,
We’ll dig through the photos in the old archive…
Again we started with subzero temps
While Levi & Gary went on a Honduras mission trip.
David turned a year older on Valentine’s Day.
Homeschool and co-op were full of learning and play.
Big Laurel Falls was our spring waterfall hike.
We enjoyed spending time with people we like.
Stephen graduated from biochemical college
with his shoes full of feet and his head full of knowledge.
Then we headed out west, new memories to make.
First stop ended up as Isaac’s 50th state.
Our childhood heroes were easily seen
in the Storybook Gardens of Abilene.
Next stop was Carlsbad, an underground wonderland.
Then trekked across miles of stunning white sand.
Next was Petrified Forest where trees turned to stone,
Sunset Crater Volcano, and an Indian home.
At the mighty Grand Canyon, we oohed and we aahed
over magnificent scenery sculpted by God.
Glen’s Horseshoe Bend boasted beautiful features
We crawled through Sand Cave like little Hobbit creatures.
We continued to crawl through Hobbit Hole Slot
in Zion where we found a great photo op.
In Bryce we hiked among many hoodoos.
The switchbacks nearly wore through all of our shoes.
We traveled the washboard on Hole-in-Rock Road
To explore Devil’s Garden, a sight to behold.
Capitol Reef connected us to Little Wild Horse,
a slot canyon much like an obstacle course.
After all that hiking, our knees started wobblin’.
So we rested our legs in the Valley of Goblins.
In Arches we saw an elephant line
Double, Delicate, Landscape, and Pine.
Canyonlands was a stop we wanted to repeat
Corona Arch trail we thought pretty neat.
On the way out of Utah, Forrest Gump Point
was an iconic view. It did not disappoint.
At Mesa Verde we explored Cliff Dwelling remains
In Durango we explored the Silverton train.
At Sand Dunes we stayed until the sun set its light.
At Salt Plains we dug up crystal selenite.
We dropped by Brandy’s sisters as we were on the way
back home where we celebrated some summer birthdays.
Other summer things? eXalt and KidZ Choir
and VBS where we crafted with hooks and some wire.
At Salt Lick we fished and we camped and we rowed.
This year’s HDS, we sang Westward Ho!
This time for Sukkot we camped once again.
We enjoyed time spent with family and friends.
To Cumberland Falls for fall-break family time
with Big South Fork Scenic Railway and Twin Arches to climb.
Unexpected changes also happened this fall
when fostering became our family’s new call.
A Tobymac concert and Levi’s birthday
finished out the year in a very special way.
At the David Movie Premiere, we all had a ball.
The boys nerded out with Wingfeather’s Chris Wall.
As we reflect on this year – new memories and things,
We consider this season and the hope that it brings.
We’re grateful to God for His blessings and care
For His salvation within us – His immense love to share.
With blessings and prayers from our family to yours,
Gary, Brandy, Stephen, David, Levi, Isaac, and Foster Baby #1