A look back at 2008...

January 1, 2009. WOW, I can't believe it's already 2009. Last year (2008) was an interesting year for us. Below are a few things (month-by-month) that happened in our family. Again, this is just a glimpse of 2008. Hope you enjoy!

January: I was winding down my 18 year career at the newspaper. It was a hard time for me, leaving good friends and a history behind. Sierra revealed that she was told there was no Santa. She was sad, but relieved that she told us. Celebrated our 2 year anniversary in our house.

February: Last day at the paper - celebrated with co-workers. Spent an awesome Valentine's Day with my husband (limo, The Mantle, priceless...). Spent time with our Life Group (which we hosted at our house). Celebrated my mom's birthday.

March: Easter with Kids, Spring Break (first one ever home with kids). Went to Arizona with Brett on his annual President's Club trip. Stayed at a golf resort in Tucson and had a blast!











April: Went to Long Beach, CA with Brett for a medical conference. Beautiful scenery and great time together. Megan got married April 19th.












May: Had a wonderful Mother's Day with family. Brandon got engaged. Some of our dearest friends brought home their baby girl Shiloh from Guatemala. Spent Memorial Day with family honoring our loved ones that have passed. HUDSON'S BIRTHDAY!! Hudson turned 1 years old on May 29th. Celebrated with a Backyardigan's party in Megan's backyard.

















June: Celebrated my ?? birthday :) As always, my husband makes it a special day for me. Pierce learned to ride a bike and swim all in the month of June! Celebrated Father's Day with the special men in our lives. Community Pool opened, opened our pool and spent hours, upon hours outside swimming!






























July: Started playing golf with Brett. My new favorite sport and we are playing every chance we get! Sierra went to the lake with a friend over 4th of July so we just had Pierce. Had a fun 4th with neighbors and shot fireworks in our neighborhood (oops). Four years of wedding bliss. We celebrated our four year wedding anniversary (will take annual anniversary trip in September). Celebrated Brett's dads birthday










August: Celebrated Brett's birthday. Took a trip to Great Wolf Lodge with the kids. It was a quick trip, but we didn't waste a minute! Watched the Summer Olympics and watched Micheal Phelps make history. Sierra started 3rd grade, Pierce started kindergarten. Celebrated Megan's 22nd birthday!!! Sierra started playing softball.

























































September: Spent 7 days at the Adventura Spa & Resort in Mexico. Attended a friend's wedding, and also celebrated our 4 year anniversary. Was a beautiful place with about 35 people attending the wedding. We had a great time! Worked in the yard a lot. Still swimming... OU FOOTBALL




















October: Hudson is growing like a weed and as cute as ever! Lots of birthdays in October...Brandon turned 25, My grandmother turned 91, Brett's mom had a birthday (age ?) and Sierra turned 9 years old. Kids enjoyed playing outside (weather still really warm). We are still working in the yard and trying to prepare for fall. Fall break spent a lot of time with the kids (park, picnic, etc). Hudson found his shadow :) Halloween - took the kids to the Pumpkin Patch (Megan & Hudson included).


















































































































November: Our first black president was elected. Our beautiful grandson is STILL growing!! Spending more time inside...but enjoying our firepit outside on chilly nights. Thanksgiving and Pierce's birthday - both on the same day! Pierce turned 6 years old Thanksgiving day. We celebrated with a party, and also spent the night at the Retreat Center with Brett's family.



























December: And finally...December. Shopping...lots of shopping. Took Sierra, Pierce, Megan & Hudson to the Festival of Lights in Chickasha. Took a horse and buggy ride and enjoyed the lights. The entire family came down with a stomach virus...not fun! Pierce pulled his two front teeth. Sierra lost her 10th tooth. Brandon graduated from college (YAY!), Megan got a promotion at work and we had a wonderful Christmas with family.


























































































































Well, as I said it is just a glimpse. I'm sure there are monumental things I am leaving out, but seemed like the year flew by! Maybe it was the fact that I wasn't working - and felt busier than ever. Or maybe it is just that with each passing day, each experience seems better than the last so you tend to forget the old. That is the beauty of computers (blogs). If you really want a glimpse of our life...go back to January 1, 2008 and start reading. I am going to try and do better job in 2009 capturing our lives on our blog. Not only to keep everyone up-to-date...but so when I am sitting here at my computer on January 1, 2010 I won't have a brain-freeze and forget what we did over the year :)

I am truly looking forward to 2009. I feel closer to God, my husband and my entire family...and just know it is going to be a good year.

Here's wishing you and your family a blessed and prosperous 2009!