Year End Note 2017

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UPDATED:

As we sit down to reflect our year, it’s hard to believe how quickly it has gone and how full it was. 2017 brought many happy adventures and memories. Over the course of the year, we traveled to: Gettysburg (a spark for Izzy, who is now very interested in traveling to other National parks); we had our annual memorial hike at McAfee’s knob (Izzy hiked her longest trail, going nearly 6 miles and Ellie hiked about 2 miles—big accomplishments!); Emily went to California to visit a close friend and her new baby (this was her first trip to the West coast and she loved it); Travis and Emily went to Austin for a weekend getaway (finding it to be a city they’d be happy going to again); and our yearly trip to OBX (everyone fell in love with Stand-Up Paddleboarding, including both girls- Izzy now has her own).  We also chased the total solar eclipse and found ourselves in Lexington, SC where we had totality (this was truly an experience for all involved--can't wait to chase another) .

• Other events:
• 2 weddings (Izzy and Ellie were flower girls in one)
• 5^th annual Pittsburgh Congenital Heart Walk
• OVO Cirque de Soleil
• Girls On The Run 6^th season – Emily coached her last season until the girls get old enough
•  Concerts – Travis won the local rock stations summer concert pass (14 concerts this summer)
• Ascend slackline workshops—Travis up-ed his slackline passion with his group of slackliners, hosting several active learning nights.

Isabelle is now 5 and loves pre-K. Some of her favorite things to do are art (of any variety), being outside (she went to 2 summer nature camps this year), and baking (saying she wants to be on Master Chef one day). Eleanor is now 2 and has just started preschool. She is certainly blazing her own trail and is confident in what she likes: tutu dresses, rainboots and playing outside, and reading. Charles is a wonderful addition to our family this year. He is a great little newborn who sleeps well, eats well, and is already showing a lot of personality and strength (strong head control, putting all his weight on his feet, and starting to coo).

Emily continues to work hard raising little humans (and loving it), working as an executive recruiter, selling Norwex and dabbling in business development consulting. There is never a dull moment, but the organized chaos is what fills her heart. Travis recently found himself in a position where the world is his oyster, after a company restructuring in mid-November. We are firm believers in finding the silver lining and with this news – a long paternity leave and his opportunity to spend quality time with his family over the holidays. 2018 will naturally bring new adventures as he navigates where his career goes next and as our family continues to grow together.