Michelle & Nathan

Merry Christmas to our loved ones from every stage of life, we are thankful for your friendship!

2011 was a year filled with surprises and confirmations that God is guiding our steps and giving us more than we ever dreamed of.

In January we were quite fortunate enough to go to Tokyo, Japan for Nathan's work. We traveled extensively through the area, including Matsumoto and Kyoto! 


  (above) Tokyo goes as far as the eye can see in every direction.


(above) We spent a day biking through Kyoto, Japan, visiting many historic castles and shrines, including the Golden Castle, which is famously coated in real gold!

After our return, Nathan had the opportunity to join Square, an exciting start-up company here in San Francisco. He is now a Tech Lead overseeing the security engineering team. Square makes a small device that plugs into a cell phone and allows the user to accept credit card payments. We have heard from so many friends that they use it-- let us know if you are one of them and we'll get you some swag!
Another huge blessing for us was that the timing worked out PERFECTLY for us to travel with our church to Beijing, China, for a volunteer trip as Nathan was between jobs. Many of you know that China has been a big dream of ours. :)
 We worked at a non-government funded school for "immigrant children"- children whose families have changed districts within China, which is illegal. You can see there is no heat and the children wear their jackets inside (above). Still, they have enduring spirits and they LOVED the murals we painted in their hallways (below).

We also worked at The Starfish Project, a jewelry factory that offers jobs to women so that they can leave the sex industry. Here we led business classes, painted classrooms, got to know the girls, and used art therapy to create wall-size canvas murals. Many of the girls didn't think they could paint (it was drawn out and dotted with which colors went in which space), but with a little encouragement they conquered it!

 Nathan and friends from church learn how to make jewelry (above). It's harder than you think! :)
 Some of the teachers and volunteers sing us a song to thank us for our visit. It says, "There is no like you." (above)



We visited the world-reknowned arts district in Beijing called 798 where art is thriving!





 Just some normal hills like in San Francisco!

The next part of China travels took us to Xi'an, home of the famous Terracotta Warriors. An emperor knew he was going to die, so he built mass-graves to bury alive his army and wives with him to enter into the next life. The army found out about it and rebelled. The king compromised on the creation of thousands of warriors and horses made out of Terracotta to protect him. Thousands of his wives, concubines and children were still buried alive with him.



 Next, we biked the walls of Xi'an on a double bike.



 Of course we got lost, but some nice officers helped us find our way! Check out the subway entrance behind us! (below)

Other news! Our families finally visited us! Jess plays with Tiara at a park near our apartment (below).

Michelle's mom Susan and sister Jessica at the gate to Chinatown (above).

Nathan's family visited for Thanksgiving! Hiking our huge hill with Nathan's mom Dawn (below).


Some pics of a BEAUTIFUL hike in Pacifica, CA, just southwest of San Francisco.





 Michelle won a contest and her phrase was published on Taco Bell packets everywhere! :) It says, "We could all use a little squeeze now and then." I got a $100 gift card to Taco Bell... mmmmmmm!


In the summer we took friends visiting us from Scotland, Paris, Indiana, New Jersey and North Carolina to Napa. This winery is a castle (Castella de Amberosa), built with bricks shipped from Italy.
On a sad note, we both lost our Grandmothers this year. We are thankful for their long lives and love for their grandchildren.
Old picture of Nathan and all his cousins with his Grandma (above).
Michelle's Grandma and mom at our 2008 wedding (above).


 Come visit us!

In other news:
-This year Nathan's work also took him to China twice, Hong Kong and Macao! He certainly did a lot of travelling this year.
-Michelle was able to go to many conferences this year, most notably Intel's conference for influential women in social media!
-Nathan's sister Amber is graduating from her nursing program this month!
-BIG NEWS: In January we will start the process to become county-certified foster parents! We hope to care for children under 2 next year!
-We can't wait to see what's next for us in 2012!

Thanks for visiting! What happened in your 2011?