Looking Back at 2010

I just wanted to take a few minutes to look back at 2010...2010 was a whirlwind of a year for our family...In this past year...

• Chris started his own company, C + K architecture, which has had grown in ways only God could have planned!! Chris is hard at work to continue the growth of the company!
• Keagan had many firsts: tooth, solid foods, crawling and finally on Christmas eve his first steps!
• Malachi joined his first basketball team & art class...He has shown a huge interest in coloring, drawing, painting or any type of art in general!
• I began my 2010 with a goal of losing weight and getting in shape for myself & my family...to date I have lost a total of 75lbs....I also started my business My Sugar Satisfaction, and have enjoyed making some custom cakes!
• God has done some amazing things in our lives as a family...things we did not see coming: He has brought us to a new church family Second Place Church...Chris has taken the position of accounts payable, and I have been teaching the K-5th grade children. It has been a joy to be part of such a great church family, we have met so many new people and families, we thank God each and every day for bringing them into our lives! We are excited to see what God has in store for us at Second Place!

Moving on to 2011! I have so many personal goals that I would love to start working on, but from experience, taking small steps will help me reach my goals quicker! Here are a few steps I'd like to start taking:

• Doing a daily devotional time with Chris
• Planning & preparing healthy meals for my family
• Organizing & staying organized!
• Stay up to date with my blogs!

These are just a few of my goals for the coming year...I know that God has much more planned for my family this coming year, and I pray that He will lead Chris & I on the path He has for us!

Catching up some more...July 2010

Just a glimpse of what we did in July:

Keagan's 9month pictures!

First night in his crib!

First night in his Chicago Bulls room, downstairs!

Relaxing with Grandma Krestel!

Sailing the Tall Ships!

Just a typical picture of Keagan, with spit up all over!

Kiddie Park, roller coaster!

Fourth of July!

Having fun at Ignite Chicago!

Toasting Marshmallows w/ Christian, Kayleigh & Kendra!

Cousins goofing off at the Children's Museum!

Out of the mouth of babes...

Malachi is getting to the age where he picks up sayings very quickly...they are sometimes used out of content, but so hilarious! It's also interesting to hear the phrases I use most often...Here are some of my favorites:

• "That's Impressive!"
• "You've GOT to be kidding me!"
• "If you want to!"

The latest remark came as we were leaving Lifetime Fitness...he says to me, "We can go to Jamba Juice...if you want to!" TOO cute....he's a sly boy, must get that from his mom!!

I just can't get enough of my big boy!!!

June 2010 in a glance...

I've decided to catch up a bit...In June, our nephews and neice came to visit from Jeanette, Pennsylvania. We had a great time with Joshua, Savannah & Jeremiah. We made a trip to Neosho, Missouri to visit Papa Jim & Grandma Kathie. Also, my college friend, Tammy Tetford visited from Pennsylvania. We had a great time with friends and family, here are some pictures we captured!!!

A quick trip to Indianapolis!

Enjoying a trip to the Brookfield zoo with Odin & Graham!

Malachi & Graham are like brothers, it's a love/hate relationship!!! They aren't yet at the age where they play together, they like their space, but we were able to get some great pictures of them hanging out together!

Cousin's hanging out in the back yard!

When I saw this hat, I just couldn't resist!!! Tammy did a mini-photo shoot in our backyard!

Visiting with Tammy! We went to the Old Plank Trail Family Fun Day!!!

Malachi enjoying his first trip to Lambert's Home of the Throwed Rolls!

Playing in the Lake in Missouri!

Looking for crayfish in the creek!

Exploring the caves in Noel, MO

This was at the Monee Reservoir, Malachi's pants were too big and falling off of him. Everyone was laughing and singing "Pants on the Ground". Needless to say, by the end of the day, he was soaked from playing in the water & covered in sand from the sandbox, so he went home naked!! (well, we put a blanket around him) This day also marked his first trip to the emergency room. He was holding hands with daddy, and turned to run and ended up pulling his elbow out of the socket! He was such a trooper, and as soon as the doctor popped it in, he was fine!

...His mother treasured all these things in her heart!

Life at the Krestel household has been flying by, and I want to be able to treasure all of these moments in my heart! Part of this treasuring is starting a blog. I want to be able to recall the little day to day things that happen...the little comments, the memorable moments, and so on.
I hope you enjoy your peek inside of the Krestel home!!!


You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them.
~Desmond Tutu