Wednesday, December 31, 2008

2008 Revisited...

2008 went by in a blur.
  • We said a sad goodbye to our sweetest old friend Toby.
  • Ryann started Jr. High.
  • Bayli grew & grew & grew - started standing, walking, talking and changed from a tiny newborn into a busy, busy toddler.
  • Mike raced motorcycles.
  • I blogged.
  • Ryann swam for the Rocky Mountain Rapids.
  • Skye & Madi moved to a new elementary school.
  • Ryann danced and danced and danced - and joined the Jr. Ensemble.
  • Madi discovered the joy of reading.
  • Mike built things - a new shed, a scrapbook room and lots of shelves.
  • Madi became a member of the Pre-Jr. Ensemble.
  • Skye got brave at school.
  • Madi (finally) got her own room.
  • We got lucky and Grandma & Grandpa moved back to Colorado.
  • We got the most delicious Thai restaurant at our end of town (that delivers!).
  • My Squeester & I played lots of board games.
  • We had two fun visits from Eric, Erika & Alex.
  • We got a brand new baby niece.
  • I had another year's proof of just how lucky I am. I am blessed with this life, this family, this journey.
I am so looking forward to 2009 - time with my sweet family, watching my girls learning, growing, meeting new challenges and discovering new talents,
and having their Grandparents here for it all.
Happy New Year Everyone!!

Christmas Decorations



I really, really love my Christmasy house.

I love the glow of the lights, my Willow Tree nativity, the fun festive decorations and my Christmas card wall.

I can't help but feel sad when I know it all has to come down.
Sigh.
But I tell my girls that it wouldn't be special if we did it all year long.
So,
only 358 more days to go...


Sunday, December 28, 2008

Scrappin' Space!

Giving Madi her own room required not only some shed-building, but also some creative rearranging. My sweet hubby figured it all out to give me my very own scrapbooking room in the basement. We emptied out the storage room, painted, got new carpet installed and Mike built a work table and custom shelves.
I think it's beautiful & perfect.
I love to scrapbook with the tv on, so he gave me a flat-screen tv/dvd for Christmas. Now I'm totally set.
I am the luckiest girl!


Now I just need to find the time to use it...

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Early Christmas Morning

I love, love these pictures -
taken early Christmas morning...

as beautiful and peaceful as our quiet family Christmas.





Friday, December 26, 2008

Madi's Christmas

1st one up @ 7:30 am
so excited!
Taylor Swift cd
Old Navy gift card
yummy turkey dinner
so happy

Bayli's 2nd Christmas

sleepy head
so not into present-opening

happy, happy, happy

dancing to Away in a Manger that plays on her nativity set

loves homemade cranberry sauce

Skye's Christmas

still doesn't like the egg nog
new, chubby baby doll
sweetest Santa card for Bayli
my pumpkin pie lover
more cranberries than turkey
"crowd surfing" during Ryann's Guitar Hero-playing
(where does she learn these things?)
"I wish Christmas was every Friday."