2010 In A Nutshell

A year in the life of the Wilcox family. Feel free to click on the links (highlighted word/s) to see the original posts and pictures.

Blake (8): Blake's biggest successes this year came from sports. He managed to run 80 miles last school year, ran a couple 5k's and even got the rest of us to join in the running fun...even though he seems now to have gotten it all out of his system. Or maybe he just realized that he prefers other sports. Like swimming, soccer (his team was undefeated!), hiking, zip-lining, and archery. When he's not creating his own homework for fun, you can find him examining his coin collection or searching for unique rocks to categorize...and sell. And he's recently discovered geo-caching (the perfect activity for a want-to-be geologist). He has become a dedicated Cub Scout as well. Blake is still very sweet (when he's not sassy), an old soul, and an amazing big brother to his siblings.

Garrett (6): Garrett continues to amaze us with his creativity. When he's not drawing and writing, he's totally and completely fixated on Legos, Star Wars, and Star Wars Legos. He has been known to build his own "scenes" from the movies, build his own ships (and write the directions to go with them) and saves every last penny from his allowance for his next Lego set (...or candy). Garrett has also been participating in the running club this year at school and has already racked up over 20 miles! This year Garrett was able to join a swim team and hopefully by next summer he'll be ready for competitive swim. He's still the family comedian, has met his goal to make it all the way across the monkey bars and has discovered a love of letting loose on the dance floor. Most importantly, Garrett's kidney issues look to be manageable without further surgery!

Chase (2): One of the most fascinating things about having twins is seeing how alike- and different- they are from each other and their other siblings. Like Garrett when he was two, Chase often becomes fixated on cars and dinosaurs, loves drawing and getting lost in a good picture book, and can't resist a cute animal. He's also got a signature dance move. Like Blake, Chase feels the need to close any open door, is especially sensitive to noises and texture and is progressing a bit slower with his speech (although not for lack of trying). Unlike Ella, Chase will usually share when asked, has a definite sweet tooth, and will laugh uncontrollably when provoked. What makes Chase Chase is his endearing charm, his sensitive heart and his excitement about everything.

Ella (2): Ella, it seems, is her own person in more ways that one. She resembles Garrett physically and shares his sneaky and mischievous side. And although she is usually serious and profoundly mature like Blake, she also knows how to crack jokes and get attention when she wants it (much like Garrett). And she is totally content to be in charge. You can have an entire conversation with her and she not only understands you, but remembers. She expresses her creativity in her multiple costume changes throughout the day and would rather be Superman than Cinderella. Ella has a uniqueness that is hard to put into words. And although she is not as closely aligned with her brothers' character traits, she does resemble one person more than any other (at two years old)....her mama (or so I'm told). If I wasn't convinced before that parenthood is payback, I am now.

Brian: Brian has weathered another year in public accounting. When he's not crunching numbers, he's managed to drop close to 50 pounds as part of our pledge to make 2010 the year we get healthy as a family. In the process he participated in the Solana Beach Sprint Triathlon and the Silver Strand Half Marathon, and even more is planned for the next year. Brian has also taken on the responsibility of Den Leader for Garrett's Tiger Cub den and Co-Leader of Blake's Wolf Cub den. But as hard as he works at all those things, he works the hardest at being a great father and loving husband (LUCKY US!). This was also the year that we traveled to Washington DC with the older boys to experience some of our country's great history- a highlight, no doubt, for a political-minded patriot.

Aimee: For me, the year has been, more than anything, about keeping up with life. The twins keep me especially busy with their ever-increasing freedom and curiosity, and the boys' activities and sports keep us on the move. Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa, I am able to volunteer in the classroom once a week and lead a table this year for the MomsNext group. I have taken up running again and am enjoying the benefits of being healthy (who knew it was even possible to weigh less than your driver's license after 4 kids?). Exercise continues to provide me with a much-needed outlet for life's daily craziness. Other highlights for me have been finding a church home for our family, taking the family pictures we've been talking about for years...and keeping up on the blog to record all the highlights!

We wish you the Merriest of Christmases and the Happiest of New Years! Thanks for visiting...come back soon!

The Wilcox Family