So long 2009...

Tonight we say goodbye to 2009. Has it really been 10 years since the year 2000! Time sure does fly and this sure has been a crazy year. As I look back, it has been full of so many good times and bad. We have struggled with finances (as have so many in this economy) and we dealt with Joe's chronic illness...it sure hasn't been easy. Along with that though, we are so blessed with the family we have. Our kids are happy and healthy, and a complete joy to be around; we are employed; and we are surrounded by the best family and friends that we could ever ask for. We are hopeful for the new year!

Happy New Year! Bring on 2010!

Sea World

Another fun day...Grandma sure is keeping us busy! We met up with her down at Sea World for a wonderful day.

We had a wonderful time petting the dolphins, picking up sea cucumbers and sea stars (they are not called star fish, in case you didn't know!), feeding the sting rays, seeing the manatees and beluga whales, and watching the Shamu show, the sea lion and otter show, and the pets rule show! We weren't quite prepared for how cold it was going to be, and we even got rained on a bit. It sure was fun though!

(Zoe trying Jax's ribs for lunch...she loved them!)

Thanks for another great day Grandma!

more boarding fun...

Another day up in the mountains, I just love it up there! There is nothing like seeing lots of snow and pine trees with the cold air on your face. This time I tried to bring my camera up to the top so I could get some action shots of the kids (Zoe, Cooper and Jax). It wasn't easy, and I didn't get many good ones, but at least there are some.



It is fun to watch them go, and see what their differences are. Cooper and Jax spend almost all of their time looking for the next jump and rail, and trying to hit all of their landings. Zoe enjoys that too, but is mostly interested in going down the steepest slopes she can find. There were plenty of falls today, but interspersed with some amazing runs.


Getting ready to head down the last run of the day...

The blessings of Christmas....

What a day! There is nothing like the feeling of waking up on Christmas morning. Cooper and Jax woke up at the crack of dawn! They couldn't wait to run downstairs to see what Santa had brought.Unfortunately, we made them wait a little longer until Zoe and Cole woke up!
They were ready to go...
Cooper got the Pocket Rocket motorcycle and Guitar Hero he had asked for!
Zoe got the WaveBoard she asked for!
Jax got the surfboard he had asked for!

Everyone got lots of fun things including video games, craft kids, jewelry, sports jerseys, clothes and shoes! Joe and I were spoiled too. Grandma, Grandpa, Poppe, and Santa outdid themselves again!

On to stockings...
After a quick breakfast, everyone headed outside to play with some of their new toys.
After playing and eating, it was time to head back home to see what Santa had brought to our house and for the kids to open their gifts from us! Boy that Santa is busy!

Santa brought Cooper a new skateboard and a baseball bat and gloves.Zoe got the Wii Outdoor Challenge game and a pair of gold minnie mouse earrings.
They got a new tetherball, a few more games, some books, hats, etc. Joe got the back massager he had been wanting and even the dogs got their stockings and presents!


It was a wonderful couple days full of family, gifts, and food. We are so blessed to have the life that we do. Even though things aren't always perfect, we are reminded how lucky we really are. Unfortunately, Sonya and Martin weren't able to be with us today. Martin was with his girlfriend and her family, and Sonya had come down with an awful flu. Hopefully next year!

Whew...I'm beat! Off to start putting away all of the fun gifts!

Christmas Eve...

The kids woke up on Christmas Eve so excited that the day was finally here. First, it's time to move their advent countdown calendars...two wall ones, and their traditional chocolate ones.

Next come a few gifts. The kids always buy each other presents, so we let them open them this morning. Zoe received some Littlest Pet Shop animals and Cooper got a new Tech Deck Skate ramp...they were both happy little kids.
We also always buy the kids their own ornament each year. We usually buy something that represents their year somehow, but this year I found some cute "cookie" ornaments in their initials and I loved them.
The kids got to open up a couple more gifts that were sent from Uncle Mike and Owens. Cooper couldn't have been happier in his new Steelers gear, and Zoe was thrilled with her craft kits.
After a great morning, we spent the rest of the day hanging out, playing games, packing for Grandma's and watching a few more Christmas shows. We set out cookies and milk for Santa, then it was off to church for a beautiful candlelight Christmas Eve service. This is one of my favorite times of the holiday. I enjoy listening to the songs, both traditional and modern, and hearing the message about the true meaning of Christmas.
After church, we headed to Grandma and Grandpa's house for a great dinner and time with family.


After putting on their traditional Christmas Eve pajamas, it was off to bed to wait for Santa...can't wait to see what he brings!