Towner Family 2012

Folly Beach lighthouse, SC (July '12 vacation)

It's hard to believe it's already time to roll into another new year.  Where does the time go?!  We hope 2012 has been a good one for all of you and that you have all been enjoying your holiday season.  Our year has been a busy one, but a good one overall.  We have settled into life in Georgia and continue to meet great people.  As a family, some of this year's highlights have revolved around our travels.  Over Memorial Day weekend, we enjoyed a camping trip at Unicoi State Park near Helen, GA.  In July, we took a wonderful family vacation to Charleston and Myrtle Beach.  We spent several days camping near Charleston (hot!) enjoying the local sights, and then enjoyed 2 days with a hotel right on the ocean in Myrtle Beach.  Closer to home, we took advantage of our season passes to Six Flags Over Georgia by visiting the park once a month from April to October.  We had a blast exposing the kids to all kinds of amusement park rides, and we loved eating our way around the park over the course of the season.  We also enjoyed trips to NC to visit Cliff's parents when possible, and last week, we made the big trip to Chicago and Ohio (see previous posts).  Cliff and Gina also got a chance to get away to Savannah and Kennesaw, GA early in the year for some of Cliff's professional conventions.  We are already busy looking ahead to more travels for 2013!

Gina and Cliff at Forsyth Park, Savannah, GA (January '12)

Gina and Cliff's 10th anniversary! (March '12)

The first of many memorable trips to Six Flags Over Georgia (April '12)

Now, for some individual highlights!

CLIFF: Hiking near Helen, GA (May '12)

• Survived his first year as Director of Band Activities at Georgia College!
• Ran his first 5K, the Bobcat Ramble, in February.
• Ran his first set of Summer Music Camps at GC; he even got to experience dorm life again by staying on campus throughout each camp.
• Was chosen to be the new Music Director for the Atlanta Wind Symphony, a talented community band based in suburban Atlanta.  
• Was chosen to present at the upcoming GMEA conference in Savannah in January 2013!
• Continues to enjoy reading and playing with the kids whenever he can.

GINA: Celebrating another birthday! (August '12)

• Continued her volunteer role as the school store shopper for the PTA at Laura's school.
• Chaired the PTA committee for Teacher Appreciation Week at Laura's school.
• Continued to develop a network of "mommy friends"; the moms enjoy the playdates as much as the kids!
• Returned to the classroom for the first time in 5 years as an adjunct instructor of French at Georgia College; had a great group of students for FREN 2001 this fall.
• Became, at least for now, a homeschool mom, taking on the job of teaching Nathan preschool from home.
• Continues to enjoy reading and scrapbooking whenever time allows.

LAURA: The new Ken doll she bought with her own allowance money. (July '12)

• Finished first grade and successfully tested into her school's gifted program for second grade.
• Attended her first slumber party (for a friend in January) and hosted her first slumber party for her 7th birthday in September.
• Finished Ballet I by playing a flower in her spring recital; kicked off Ballet II by earning two roles (Bonbon and Polichinelle) in December's Nutcracker.
• Continued to progress in gymnastics and even did a week-long gymnastics camp in the summer.
• Took a water color camp through a local arts organization in July and discovered a new talent and hobby in painting.
• Was invited to join the Math Team at her school and won a ribbon at her first competition!
• Still loves her dolls and Barbies!
• Likes to write stories and loves math; she loves when Dad gives her tough multiplication problems to do at home.
• LOVES to play computer games, especially Fire Boy and Water Girl with Daddy!

At gymnastics camp (June '12)

First day of second grade! (August '12)

NATHAN: Trying on Daddy's Husker hat...and always smiling! (September '12)

• Turned the big '4' in March.
• Continued weekly gymnastics classes.
• Started a new activity in the fall....soccer!!  Had a blast playing with his fellow Soccer Wolves.
• Attended Tiny Act camp in June through the local arts school.  Had a great time playing instruments, singing music, and dressing as different characters on stage.
• Loves his weekly date with Mom at story time at the library.
• Started preschool at home with Mom in September!
• Continues to soak up the learning; loves to count, add numbers, learn to read new words, finger paint, do science experiments...and LOVES recess!
• Learning to ride a bike with training wheels.
• Still loves anything that involves cars or trucks and is developing a new hobby in Legos!

Nathan the dinosaur, Tiny Act camp. (June '12)

In action with the Soccer Wolves (September '12)

Life is busy, and there are days where we feel like we're living in high gear all day.  But at the end of the day, we feel very fortunate that we are all healthy, happy and have lots of good things going on to keep life interesting.  One thing is certain: with two small kids in the house, we are always entertained!

For those of you we don't see regularly, if you ever have a layover in the Atlanta airport, or you happen to be driving through GA, please let us know.  We would love to see you and catch up!

Much health and happiness to all of you in the New Year!

Cliff, Gina, Laura and Nathan