Christmas 2016

        

Merry Christmas from the Shirleys!!  Every year when I write our Christmas post, I enjoy looking back at what we have done throughout the year.  This year, I did notice that we took less pictures....I guess the boys got their way!

Other than the color of the walls in our house, (which we painted grey), the biggest change this year is that Dave became a full time professor at MUSC College of Pharmacy!  This became official in July after a year of being part time.  Along with this job change, he also received Professor of the Year during his part time year.

Dave continues to enjoy hunting and fishing; and he and Amy have also started teaching the 11th and 12th grade Sunday School class at their church.  (Nathan is thrilled!)

Amy continues to work as a pediatric Speech Language Pathologist, and although she did not participate in any races in 2016, she is currently training for her third marathon in January 2017.  (As she writes this, her legs are in a massager!)

Nathan is halfway finished with high school, has visited two colleges so far, ordered his class ring, and is making good progress with beginning his Senior Thesis!  Time is flying!  He played baseball for his high school and a travel team, went on his youth mission trip this summer, volunteered at a camp for children with severe disabilities,  and has started taking on more of a leadership role in his youth group.  He decided to join his school football team this year, and was having fun and doing well until he suffered from a broken collar bone.  Short football season, although he plans on playing next year.  He also turned 16 this year and we were able to buy him a car.  Good year for him!

We actually surprised Nathan with a party for his 16th birthday!

Camden started the 4th grade this year and is doing well in school.  Over the past year, he was Michael in his school production of Peter Pan; played soccer; and ran cross country.  He also has been busy in AWANA, playing piano, and performing in two church plays.  He keeps busy!

Nathan agreed to do a duet with his former piano teacher during Camden's Spring piano recital.

Nathan and Camden were both in the children's choir Christmas drama production.  They played the older and younger version of a shepherd named Nathaniel!

Throughout the year, Amy and Nathan were able to go on the youth ski trip in January.

Nathan visited CA to see family during Spring Break and was able to go skiing during that visit.

Amy and Camden took a road trip during Spring Break to St. Louis and Springfield.

Amy was able to take a girls' weekend with her mom and sister to Gatlinburg over Mother's Day Weekend.

The boys had a fun summer with both going to camp at Look up Lodge and having a fun week at Grammie Camp.

We all were able to go to Annapolis in order for Nathan to visit the Naval Academy.  During this quick weekend trip, we were able to go to an Orioles baseball game at Camden Yards and visit Jamestown, VA on the way home.

Charleston experienced Hurricane Matthew this year, and although Dave stayed home, Amy and the boys decided to take an evacu-cation and go to Columbia.  From there, we took two day trips to visit North Greenville University and the mountains.

One highlight of this year was Camden confirming his salvation at camp and then getting baptized again.  He was so excited about this and had a strong peace after this decision.

This Christmas our prayer is that you too will know Christ and have assurance of your salvation.  In an uncertain world, God sent us Jesus to be our Savior and give us peace.  As the angels proclaimed the night of Jesus' birth, Peace on earth and good will to all mankind!

Dave, Amy, Nathan, and Camden Shirley