This year, 2009, has been a year of wonderful memories and a few changes too. First and foremost was the birth of our son, Zachary Michael Bellante, who has brought so much joy into our lives! Our daughter, Elisabeth is quickly becoming a little girl, and is filled with a joy for life. Keith was excited to celebrate his last class of the MBA program this month and looks forward to more nights at home with the family. Michelle has enjoyed getting dinners on the table almost every night since Zachary was two months old. Why it took two children in our home before it happened, I don’t know, but we have truly enjoyed our time together as a family around the kitchen table.
Other happenings this year… I guess the biggest was Keith’s international business trip for Westminster College to Dublin, Ireland and London, England in April. He was able to learn a lot about how business functions in other places as well as a little about the landmarks and culture’s there. Unfortunately he had to go by himself, so pregnant Michelle and almost big sister Elisabeth went home to California for a nice visit with Grandma’s, Grandpa’s, Aunts, Uncles and cousins. We also were able to visit again, this time as a whole family for a quick trip at Thanksgiving. This was the first time many family members were able to see Zachary.
The plane rides were much more fun and exciting this time because Elisabeth had her own seat, had lots of fun looking out the window, coloring and watching movies. She really is growing up so fast. She knows what she wants and can now mostly use her words to let us know, especially when she is excited about things. Maybe the “terrible twos” aren’t so terrible after all! We have been able to do more little trips this year, like going to the local Zoo and the Aquarium. It’s so much fun to see the enjoyment she gets from simple things and how much she remembers. Just a little Christmas train ride at the mall recently gave a priceless smile!
If you have had a chance to talk with us on the phone you might know that she loves to talk and sing—all the time—from the moment she wakes up to the moment she crashes in her bed at night. Zachary loves to talk too, with many loud screeches of happiness. He is very vocal. He says mommy when he’s sad and I think he says hi, hi, hi, when he’s happy. He’s normally an easy going baby who enjoys bouncing for hours and watching his sister dance and be silly. He’s already six months old and is now starting to interact more with the people and things in the world around him, including his sister. Right now, I am having a hard time typing because he is having fun pulling the table cloth off the table.
If there were a theme for this year, it would be “To Simplify”. 2009 has really been a year of reflecting on what is most important in life and making things simpler. Over the course of this year we have made some changes that have allowed us a little more time to enjoy those important things. It has really been a pleasure, in a way, to be limited in what we can do because of our two small children—we have to slow down, reevaluate and choose the things that will have a positive influence on our lives. Spending Christmas this year at home instead of traveling has been nice due to having more down time to play in the snow, look at the lights, enjoy the beautiful music, serve others, create family memories and read and ponder on the messages about the true reason for this holiday season.
Know that we are thinking about you and have enjoyed visiting and hearing from you. We wish you a joy-filled Christmas and a meaningful new year!
Love,
Michelle, Keith, Elisabeth and Zachary Bellante
Other happenings this year… I guess the biggest was Keith’s international business trip for Westminster College to Dublin, Ireland and London, England in April. He was able to learn a lot about how business functions in other places as well as a little about the landmarks and culture’s there. Unfortunately he had to go by himself, so pregnant Michelle and almost big sister Elisabeth went home to California for a nice visit with Grandma’s, Grandpa’s, Aunts, Uncles and cousins. We also were able to visit again, this time as a whole family for a quick trip at Thanksgiving. This was the first time many family members were able to see Zachary.
The plane rides were much more fun and exciting this time because Elisabeth had her own seat, had lots of fun looking out the window, coloring and watching movies. She really is growing up so fast. She knows what she wants and can now mostly use her words to let us know, especially when she is excited about things. Maybe the “terrible twos” aren’t so terrible after all! We have been able to do more little trips this year, like going to the local Zoo and the Aquarium. It’s so much fun to see the enjoyment she gets from simple things and how much she remembers. Just a little Christmas train ride at the mall recently gave a priceless smile!
If you have had a chance to talk with us on the phone you might know that she loves to talk and sing—all the time—from the moment she wakes up to the moment she crashes in her bed at night. Zachary loves to talk too, with many loud screeches of happiness. He is very vocal. He says mommy when he’s sad and I think he says hi, hi, hi, when he’s happy. He’s normally an easy going baby who enjoys bouncing for hours and watching his sister dance and be silly. He’s already six months old and is now starting to interact more with the people and things in the world around him, including his sister. Right now, I am having a hard time typing because he is having fun pulling the table cloth off the table.
If there were a theme for this year, it would be “To Simplify”. 2009 has really been a year of reflecting on what is most important in life and making things simpler. Over the course of this year we have made some changes that have allowed us a little more time to enjoy those important things. It has really been a pleasure, in a way, to be limited in what we can do because of our two small children—we have to slow down, reevaluate and choose the things that will have a positive influence on our lives. Spending Christmas this year at home instead of traveling has been nice due to having more down time to play in the snow, look at the lights, enjoy the beautiful music, serve others, create family memories and read and ponder on the messages about the true reason for this holiday season.
Know that we are thinking about you and have enjoyed visiting and hearing from you. We wish you a joy-filled Christmas and a meaningful new year!
Love,
Michelle, Keith, Elisabeth and Zachary Bellante
