Andrew & Shannon are still working for The Dow Chemical Company, Emily is a sophomore at Dow High School, & we are very glad to report we still have our beloved, Kuvasz, Avalanche.
We have spent lots of time with dear friends & family (too many to list by name) who are both near & far in distance to us and new & old in the length of time we’ve known each other.
We have spent lots of time with dear friends & family (too many to list by name) who are both near & far in distance to us and new & old in the length of time we’ve known each other.
Starting the year off on a fun note, in February Andrew & Shannon went on an Ultimate Date Night that was put on by “Celebrate Your Marriage”. It was very crazy & they had a great time!
In May, we took our family vacation to the lovely Hawaiian island of Kauai! The place is truly paradise! We had a fabulous time there beach bumming, snorkeling, hiking, body boarding, taking a bout tour to view the lovely Na Pali Coast, going to waterfalls, shopping at the Coconut Market, going to a Luau, jumping off the top of the Kipu Waterfall into the pool below, viewing the Waimea Canyon, seeing the famous Bethany Hamilton, touring a Coffee Plantation, visiting the Kilauea Lighthouse & just exploring the many aspects of that gorgeous island. We saw a huge Sea Turtle while snorkeling one morning, & Spinner Dolphins on our boat tour, both were amazing! Here is our family photo this year. We are at the awesome Waimea Canyon.
In July, Andrew went to his favorite place in the world, yup you guessed it, Alaska! He went with his friend Vince & they explored, fished for Halibut & Salmon, sight-saw, hiked, camped, viewed the amazing Denali & had a terrific time! They saw tons of wildlife including: Grizzly Bears, Eagles, Whales, Moose, Walruses, Caribou, Puffins, Seals & much more! Here is 1 of Andrew’s favorite photos from that trip.
In August, Emily & Shannon took a long weekend to travel to the Muskegon area where they had a fun day at Michigan Adventures Amusement Park, swam in Lake Michigan & explored 2 lighthouses (1 in Muskegon & 1 in White River). Here is a photo of them at the top of the White River Lighthouse with Lake Michigan in the background!
We decided to paint Emily’s room this summer too. She chose Berry Pink & Sunshine Yellow. It took all 3 of us about 4 days to complete. It looks awesome now, but ½ way through we were wondering what we had gotten ourselves into. Painting turns out to be one of those things we do not think is fun after all. LOL!
In May, we took our family vacation to the lovely Hawaiian island of Kauai! The place is truly paradise! We had a fabulous time there beach bumming, snorkeling, hiking, body boarding, taking a bout tour to view the lovely Na Pali Coast, going to waterfalls, shopping at the Coconut Market, going to a Luau, jumping off the top of the Kipu Waterfall into the pool below, viewing the Waimea Canyon, seeing the famous Bethany Hamilton, touring a Coffee Plantation, visiting the Kilauea Lighthouse & just exploring the many aspects of that gorgeous island. We saw a huge Sea Turtle while snorkeling one morning, & Spinner Dolphins on our boat tour, both were amazing! Here is our family photo this year. We are at the awesome Waimea Canyon.
In July, Andrew went to his favorite place in the world, yup you guessed it, Alaska! He went with his friend Vince & they explored, fished for Halibut & Salmon, sight-saw, hiked, camped, viewed the amazing Denali & had a terrific time! They saw tons of wildlife including: Grizzly Bears, Eagles, Whales, Moose, Walruses, Caribou, Puffins, Seals & much more! Here is 1 of Andrew’s favorite photos from that trip.
In August, Emily & Shannon took a long weekend to travel to the Muskegon area where they had a fun day at Michigan Adventures Amusement Park, swam in Lake Michigan & explored 2 lighthouses (1 in Muskegon & 1 in White River). Here is a photo of them at the top of the White River Lighthouse with Lake Michigan in the background!
We decided to paint Emily’s room this summer too. She chose Berry Pink & Sunshine Yellow. It took all 3 of us about 4 days to complete. It looks awesome now, but ½ way through we were wondering what we had gotten ourselves into. Painting turns out to be one of those things we do not think is fun after all. LOL!
Some other family events we enjoyed this year were packing picnics & taking 2 separate day trips to Higgins Lake & Lake Huron to relax at the beach, attending a Rodeo, going to a handful of Loons Baseball Games, Kayaking and Geo-caching.
Emily was delighted to join the Dow High Jr. Varsity Cheer Squad this year! She did a great job & showed lots of team spirit. Here is a photo of her and her friend Megan. We are very proud of her & enjoyed watching her cheer at her games. Go Dow High!
In addition to Cheer, Emily is involved with her Youth Group, is in a Discipleship Group, baby-sits & is thinking about joining the Key Club at school. It is hard to believe, but our Emily will be 16 on 12/26, time sure flies! Can you believe it? We barely can.
Shannon went to her 1st ever Women’s Conference in October. It was a lot of fun, she learned a lot & got to go horseback riding too!
In addition to working full-time, she takes Spanish lessons that she loves, participates in Bible Studies, & enjoys being home with her family & e-mailing friends.
Another exciting thing Andrew decided to do this year is to head back to school. He is currently attending Northwood University in pursuit of his Accounting degree & we could not be prouder of him!
In addition to Cheer, Emily is involved with her Youth Group, is in a Discipleship Group, baby-sits & is thinking about joining the Key Club at school. It is hard to believe, but our Emily will be 16 on 12/26, time sure flies! Can you believe it? We barely can.
Shannon went to her 1st ever Women’s Conference in October. It was a lot of fun, she learned a lot & got to go horseback riding too!
In addition to working full-time, she takes Spanish lessons that she loves, participates in Bible Studies, & enjoys being home with her family & e-mailing friends.
Another exciting thing Andrew decided to do this year is to head back to school. He is currently attending Northwood University in pursuit of his Accounting degree & we could not be prouder of him!
In addition to working, going to school, a little rock climbing, & hanging out at home & with friends, Andrew got a new show removal tool this year. Check it out! Shannon & Emily are thrilled to never have to lift a shovel again, as you can imagine! Andrew has already hit the trails with his Quad & is the only one in our family who is eagerly awaiting for more snow to fall, LOL!
Now to Avalanche. As you know our dog Avalanche has been an important & spoiled member of this family for over 9 years. He is such a hilarious & silly dog, we love him to pieces! He has been having some health problems lately. The Vet says it is kind of like “MS” for dogs & we were told our Avy has months verses years to live which we are extremely sad about, but are also thankful for each additional day we get with him. We are also very thankful that the Vet says he is not in any pain. Here is a photo that was taken this Summer of our special Kuvasz. Isn’t he adorable!!!
In November, the Ballet came to town! Emily really wanted to go so Shannon went along. The dancers, of Ballet Magnificat, were fantastic as they performed “The Scarlet Cord”! Emily & Shannon were thrilled they had decided to attend. What a great evening they had!
We are participating in the International Friends Program again this year. In this program an American family is matched with an International Student who is attending Northwood University and they get together once a month. This year we are excited to be matched with a sweet young lady, from China, named Crystal. We look forward to spending time with her and learning more about her & her culture & country in the remainder of this year & in 2009 as well.
So those are the highlights of our 2008. As you can see we have much to be grateful for, including
each of you & what you mean to us.
We encourage you to, along with us, enjoy this blessed Holiday Season & the real importance of it.
John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that He gave his One and only Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.”, which is the true reason for this wonderful season.
If you would like to read the Christmas story, you can find it in the Bible, in the book of Luke, Chapter 2. Merry CHRISTmas!
Merry Christmas to you & Happy 2009! We look forward to hearing from you soon & spending
time with you in 2009.
With much Love,
Andrew, Shannon, Emily & Avalanche Banks
We are participating in the International Friends Program again this year. In this program an American family is matched with an International Student who is attending Northwood University and they get together once a month. This year we are excited to be matched with a sweet young lady, from China, named Crystal. We look forward to spending time with her and learning more about her & her culture & country in the remainder of this year & in 2009 as well.
So those are the highlights of our 2008. As you can see we have much to be grateful for, including
each of you & what you mean to us.
We encourage you to, along with us, enjoy this blessed Holiday Season & the real importance of it.
John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that He gave his One and only Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.”, which is the true reason for this wonderful season.
If you would like to read the Christmas story, you can find it in the Bible, in the book of Luke, Chapter 2. Merry CHRISTmas!
Merry Christmas to you & Happy 2009! We look forward to hearing from you soon & spending
time with you in 2009.
With much Love,
Andrew, Shannon, Emily & Avalanche Banks
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