Monday, January 2, 2017

My Year In Pictures




     This year was full of amazing moments and several sad ones as well. But I wish to do as the hymn writer Johnson Oatman said: "Count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your blessings see what God has done." 
     So crack your knuckles and prepare your index finger for a lot of scrolling!




January


We got 23" of snow.




February


Snow is still melting.




March


Starting to see signs of Spring.


Practicing my Spanish and art skills.



April


I learned how to make a cloak and my brother and I had a blast taking pictures.
Epic








Yay, spring!!!




We were visited by a Ring-Necked Pheasant.



May


Spring in full bloom.


I love the texture of this moss!



Got lots of rain.





Went fishing and caught this 25" bass.

He was pretty tasty.



June


Graduated high school. WOOOHH!!!
Thanks Mom and Dad for being the best teachers I could ever hope to have.



Explored the woods with my brother.







Tried my hand at moon photography. Think I need a better camera.



July


My sister had a birthday this month. But she doesn't like pictures being taken of her.

Aside from that, not much happened.

:)



August


Did some more fishing.


Dad caught a nice catfish.


Went to the beach.

The seagulls were rather skittish.


Hosted Bible Bee locals. These are from the celebration ceremony.





September


We did a lot of fishing during the summer.

A mist hung over the river.

Hello Mr. Deer!

Señor Heron, how wonderful to see you!

Adios!

Love this view.


I'm convinced September is the month of sunsets.




October


Did a little painting.

It's fall-time!



November


Leaves, leaves, and more leaves!

Our most prominent member of the CIA (Cat Investigation Agency) is on the prowl!
Hmmm... 

What is this large, obtrusive, red thing? 

sniff, sniff  This smells funny...


The most memorable event that occurred during November was
BIBLE BEE NATIONALS!!!!!
We weren't there this year but we watched via livestream and I took a TON of screenshots, so prepare yourself for an onslaught!

Primary nationalists.

Junior nationalists.

Senior nationalists.

The Senior semi-finalists. From left to right:
Alethea Leonard, Katherine Hurlin, Taylor Bontrager, Jonathan Harbor, Noah McKay, Denver Bontrager, Carissa Pentimone, Danika Puhek, Emily Cox, Rachel Miller, Ethan Carlson,
Courtney Minica, Holly Carver, Hannah DelToro, and Emily Hamilton.

The moderators.
Ray Comfort, Hannah Leary, and the Benham twins.


Interviewing audience members.

Kerestel Leonard.

Mr. Bontrager

The Puhek family

Rafael Cruz (father of Ted Cruz)

Ken Ham

The Primary finalists:
Anastasia Brown (5th place)

Olivia Cox (4th place)

Alethia Diener (3rd place)

Ellie Pentimone (2nd place)

Corbin Otts (1st place)
Congrats Corbin!

Junior finalists from left to right:
Jessica Manley (3rd place), Elizabeth Che (2nd place), Hudson Bontrager (4th place),
Rebekah Che (5th place), Olivia Davis (1st place), and Elizabeth Chen (6th place).

Congrats Olivia!

Senior finalists:
(drum roll please)
:)

Hannah DelToro (5th place)

Emily Cox (4th place)

Denver Bontrager (3rd place)

 Danika Puhek (2nd place)

Taylor Bontrager (1st place)
Congrats Taylor!!!!

The Shelby Kennedy award winner was Joanna Tang.

The Host of the Year award went to Isabella Morganthal.

The Chairman's Oratory Award went to Noah McKay.

Congrats to all who participated in Bible Bee!!!



December


It's Christmastime!

Setting up the train track.

The kids who come to our Bible study absolutely love it.


The tree is a big hit too.

Never forget the reason for the season.

Luke 1:30-33


     It's hard to believe that 2017 is already upon us! What were your favorite moments from 2016? 
Do you have any plans or resolutions for this next year?






10 comments:

  1. You seem to have had a wonderful year, Gloria.:) It was fun scrolling through your pictures.
    Do you have any resolutions for this new year? I have a couple....:D
    Happy New Year!

    Blessings,
    Ashley

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    Replies
    1. It was definitely very full! I actually don't have any resolutions this year. Maybe you could give me some ideas. :D
      Happy New Year to you as well!

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  2. Thanks for all the pictures! Loved seeing them all! I missed seeing you all at nationals but I'm glad you got to watch it!!!!

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    Replies
    1. Glad you enjoyed them all! Yeah, we missed going too, but we were happy to watch it online.

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  3. Love the photos! Aww I wish I had snow where I live! What state do you live in? Thanks for sharing your photos with us! <3 Kaitlyn

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    Replies
    1. Glad you liked them! I wish we didn't have snow where we live. :P The grass is always greener on the other side is it not? We're in MD. :)

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  4. Love the pictures. :)
    Yay, you put up a train track for Christmas decoration too! :D

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    Replies
    1. Thanks!
      Yup, we decided to add something new this year. :)

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  5. I really enjoyed the photos! Thanks so much for sharing.

    I knew the Bontragers were good, but I didn't realize they were that good! I've heard them sing a couple times and in 2015 went to the Turning Hearts Festival at their farm.

    Also, neat to see the CIA at work...and love the train!

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    Replies
    1. The Bontragers really are an amazing family!

      Hehe, yes the CIA gives us many humorous moments! :D The train was a huge hit this year. We'll probably put it up again next year.

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