Merry Christmas from the Balmer's

This has been a yet another good year with highs and lows, yet how would we know when we were on a hill top if we had never experienced a valley?

Some of our hilltops this year : 

We moved into our new home in January! We have a beautiful home that suits us perfectly. Often we just sit together and feel so much gratitude that we’ve been able to buy a house. I’ve never had my own house before! I still love going to my front door and welcoming people from the outside to come in to our little haven. 

We have also almost made it one whole year without internet or cable in our home!! Guess what? It can be done. Neither one of us has died yet ;) 

We did get to take many good people on workshops this year and see wonderful and beautiful places:

Christopher and Katie:

Africa

Sri Lanka

Alaska ( C-2, K-1)

Christopher also took a group to Brazil. He left me behind. Unfortunately once you go some where with your new husband and you out shoot him (aka get a better picture than he does causing instant envy) he doesn’t care so much about taking you back again. Guess I’ve got to reel in my mad photography skillz ;) 

I also think I win best wife award for sending Christopher off an a week long “Man-Date” with a couple of his good friends in Oregon. I came out on top though when we brought back the big box of VooDoo donuts (Thanks, Harold!) 

But then Christopher again wins the trophy when he generously offered up his hard earned sky miles (His first class trip to South Africa is that much further away now...) so Meg and I could visit Heidi in Nebraska for her birthday!!! WHAT?! So awesome we got to go see her. My only complaint is that our visit was much too short. 

All of Christopher’s 3 nieces and nephew took a turn visiting his parents this year. I loved the opportunity to meet more of his family and having them each come over for a home cooked meal (Christopher cooked of course). 

On August 29 I dragged Christopher to the Playmill’s production of Newsie’s with bribes of our favorite street tacos from the taco bus in West Yellowstone. He finally grudgingly agreed, though this didn’t stop him trying to back out every opportunity he could find. (BTW - he ended up liking it! He’s totally a musical-lover in denial). 

On our trip from the car to the play we passed a small photo/camera store going out of business. Christopher’s business mind snapped into action and he instantly had dreams of creating another camera store. Because Perfect Light just wasn’t enough to keep both of us busy. 

Christopher and I celebrated our FIRST anniversary!! For my present he bought me a store!… :-/ :-) The weekend of our anniversary we officially closed the deal on buying another business and The Yellowstone Camera Store began (Opening April 2019!). For better or worse I know I am truly the one responsible for this new crazy adventure.

We have truly been so blessed together and I am continuously grateful to be sharing my life with Christopher. I admitted before that I was scared to take that step.Yet the more time that goes on the more I know that I made the best decision. He helps me recognize many of my weaknesses and is always so patient with me ;) We are also so very blessed with our family and friends who are continually there offering their love and support. 

We wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy 2019!!