2008 Year in Review

2008 was both a memorable and historic year in many ways.

Here are a few links that I thought summed up the year well:

MSNBC 2008 Year in Review

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28114960

The Year in News Pictures

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28192685

I also chose the photos that I thought best captured the year in the life of my family as well. While many view a new year as a chance for a new beginning, I believe it's important to remember that every day brings a new chance to start over. Looking back at 2008 and looking forward to 2009...here is my year in review:

January

The beginning of the year brought snowy weather!

Here are Katie and Josiah playing in our backyard.

Katie and her snowgirl, with rainbow buttons, of course!

Josiah, so proud of his 'snowman'.

February

And so it starts...

Katie on the playground of her school.

'Siah getting ready to ride to the playground with us.

Katie and Matt at the Father Daughter Dance
(photo courtesy of Studio Gagliano Photography)

March

Josiah and I on Easter Sunday.

Coloring Easter eggs...fun! :)

After Easter Sunday service the kids got to open thier Easter baskets.

April

Josiah on the beach in Winchester Bay, OR.

A picture is worth a thousand words...

Caught by a wave...

May

Facepainting at an Eastwood family event.

My flower girl...

Katie and Josiah after Eastwood Family Night.

Me and the kids goofing around on our front steps.

June

Birthday Boy



This was the first year that Katie was able to read her cards all by herself.

July

Me, of course. :)

Girls trip to Las Vegas, NV

Independence Day

Katie holding a sparkler, looking just like I did at that age!

My happy little guy!

Family love...

August

Me and my friend Carrie at my 10 Year High School Reunion Family Picnic.

Josiah and I at the picnic.

Cell phone shot...

September

Katie waited so long to do this: Lock of Love!

First day of 3rd Grade.

A Kindergartner at last!

Sedona, AZ

Thursday the 25th, OSU 27 ~ USC 21

October

High School Musical fun!

Saturday the 11th, UofO 31 ~ UCLA 21

Brosi Sugar Tree Farms

I am so tired in this picture...

Halloween: Transformer and Cheerleader :)

November

This was Katie's first year in ballet.

Our kitten Jackson Whiskers napping...

Katie and I at Eastwood Bingo Night, bunny ears courtesy of her friend Emmie :)

Darker, shorter hair for fall...

Me at home...

December

Katie on Christmas morning.

Josiah presenting Matt and I our gift...I loved it!

Josiah with Jackson.

Making a holiday treat, Katie could practically do this all by herself!

Winchester Bay

The weather this weekend was actually in the high 70's, so Matt and I made the best of it and took the kids to the beach. I haven't seen such a beautiful day on the Oregon Coast for quit some time, and these pictures don't quite do it justice. We read on the beach while the kids chased the waves and played in the sand. Such a fun, relaxing afternoon.

I took this picture of Matt and the kids shortly before dusk as we were getting ready to leave.

Remember playing at the beach as a kid...there's nothing like sand between your toes and icy cold water splashing at your ankles...:)

Katie searching for seashells on the beach.

Pure joy!

Katie reminded so much of my older sister at this age while we were living on Guam when I was a child. My mom has told me I learned to walk while we were on the island.

Josiah filling his truck with sand before he rolled it over and announced "Lunch is served!"