2008...a year in review

So Donavan did this post on her site so I had to copy her. Enjoy the snap shots of 2008!

January.....Kara's 3rd Birthday

February.....My mom and dad celebrate 35 years of marriage with a vow renewal ceremony and party

March....Kara's first dance recital

April...Wayne turns 30!

May...Michael turns 1!

June.....We celebrate 5 years of marriage and Kara has her 2nd (but 1st big) recital!

July...Summertime means swim lessons and the county fair

August......Picnics

September.......Billy gets married....Corinna and I are proud big sisters!

October.....Fall


November......The house goes on the market

December.......Christmas time!!!!

Well 2008 ends tonight and we welcome 2009 with hopes of bigger and better things to come. This past year has had many ups and downs for our family.....but I am confident that we will have a bright 2009!!

What a difference

a year makes.......

This was me playing Wii last year at Sally's house while holding Michael and....
this is me playing Wii this year at Sally's house while still holding Michael!

Christmas Day

We stopped by Wayne's grandparent's house on Christmas Eve to visit a bit and managed to get a picture of all of us.....Michael just didn't want to look at the camera.
Our tree Christmas morning..

My mom made Michael this WONDERFUL stick horse!! I love it!

My dad had to drink hot tea because I don't own a coffee maker.....the poor fella was all out of sorts because of this..

opening gifts

Michael with his hat that his cousin Chelsea knitted him...she is way too talented.

Oh and Auntie Corinna and Uncle Tim got him the Indiana Jones Mr. Potato Head.

Kara loved this gift...has been asking for it for months! Thanks grandma and papa

Kara and her hat from Chelsea

Yay!! She got her Sponge Bob fishing pole she wanted!!

Miss Fancy Nancy

Michael with his Tonka Dump Truck

such a cute doll house

We had such a wonderful Christmas. Everyone came to our house for dinner that day. The food was good and I do have to say that my stuffing came out very YUMMY!!

Christmas Pics

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. We made our rounds to see Wayne's family and mine. Here are a few pics leading up to Christmas and on Christmas Eve...

Michael's ornament

Kara's ornament
We let Kara put the angel on top of the tree this year. I remember taking turns putting up the tree topper with Corinna and Billy when we were growing up.

Wayne and the kids in front of the finished tree.
my cousin Katie

Angelina, Michael, and Kara waiting to open gifts at Granny's house

Corinna and Billy

Trevor, Scarlett, and Chelsea

TAG!!!

Photo Tag

Ok I've seen this done somewhere else, and I really thought it was neat to do, so EVERYONE has been offically tagged! NOW GO!!

1) Choose the 4th folder where you store your pictures on your computer

2) Select the 4th picture in the folder

3) Explain the picture

4) Tag 4 people to do the sameNO CHEATING! (cropping, editing, etc!)

This picture was taken right after Michael turned 1! This was the night that he had his first hair trimming. My mom was nice enough to trim Michael's hair...especially his bangs. I love his eyes in this picture....very very blue.....and his eye lashes are amazing too!

Ok. so I will tag...Sally, C.C, Juanita, and Donna

So not cool!!!

Tonight when I came out to my car after Kara's dance class I discovered that some inconsiderent low life decided to smash in my driver's side window!! All of a sudden I got a sick feeling in my stomach as I tried to juggle holding Michael in my arms, keeping an eye on Kara, and deciding on who to call first! After I called Wayne and then the police I started thinking of all the things I had in my car......Digital Camera, Christmas gifts in the trunk, diaper bag, and several other things. Luckily the camera was still there (I honestly think they didn't see it because it was dark), Christmas gifts in trunk still safe.....oh wait where is the diaper bag? The idiot stole my diaper bag. No big deal some might say, it's just a diaper bag. Well it's a BIG deal to me!! Not only were there expensive diapers in the bag, but Kara had a couple of sweat shirts, Michael had some PJS and his favorite blanket and his Bear rattle blanket!! I know it could have been far worse and that all those things can be replaced, but I am really heartbroken over Michael's rattle blanket and satin blanket. The satin blanket is the one he came home from the hospital in. The rattle blanket he slept with since he came home. It wasn't soft anymore like it started out but he loved it...couldn't sleep without it. There were several times I drove back to my mom's house or my dad brought it to my house after it was left behind. I can never get that back!! It was something I was going to keep forever and then pass on to him.

I know he will survive without those items and I will too.....it just stinks big time.

OH AND I AM REALLY UPSET ABOUT THE WINDOW!!! IT'S MY BRAND NEW CAR!!

Ok I'm done ranting and raving about this terrible experience for now, but I can't stand people who don't have a care in the world and have such a low disregard for others!

Sweet Kara...

Today after Kara ate her mini corn dogs for dinner she looked at me and gave me the biggest smile. I responded by telling her she was the BEST little girl ever!

She in turn put both hands on my face and looked me in the eyes and said....

You are the Best Mommy!!

Those words melted my heart and brought tears to my eyes!

She then got a worried look on her face because I was crying so I had to explain to her that some tears are HAPPY tears.

I am the luckiest mommy in the world to hear such sweet sentiments from my almost 4 year old daughter!

Today.....

my very very very good and dear friend Donavan took our family photos for our Christmas card. They turned out great and she did a wonderful job!! Here are some of the favorite shots of both mine and hers.....my sweet babies..
Family pic #1

This seriously brought tears to my eyes when I saw it. She did a great job editing it. A great father daughter moment!

Wayne was being silly and sat on my lap....hey it turned into a great photo!!

another great photo she got...love it!!

Family photo #2

Thanks again Donavan!! As always you did a wonderful job!!!!

Outside bubbly fun!!

A couple of weekends ago when the weather was so nice I spent some time outside with the kids. Kara was dying to blow some bubbles she scored at a birthday party for Ryan. We went out front and had a blast blowing bubbles and running around.

She loves to pose...well sometimes
My sweet Michael....

Hanging with Daddy

so relaxing...
He was saying "bubbles..."

she's beautiful!

darn tree stake....

I'm not sure why Kara is blowing bubbles at the For Sale sign.

We had to swing around in circles..

...and Michael had too also!! I was very dizzy afterwards but it was fun!

Life has been crazy and stressful lately and it was a nice break to let go for a bit and enjoy the warm sunshine with the kids.....they really make me happy!!