Jumping into 2009

Where has the year gone? I was thinking back today on 2008 and forward to 2009...

-Ben went from taking just a few steps... to running, jumping, and diving. He went from just a couple of teeth to 16. He speaks in full sentences and never stops talking! He has discovered and come to love books and music like his big brother.

-Sam started reading and swimming. He can now swim about 6 feet under water without sinking or choking! He played t-ball this summer and was the kid out there watching airplanes and kicking dirt around. He will start Kindergarten in the fall which is just crazy!

-Brian ran his 16th hood to coast. He has been working hard on his research and is up for tenure in 2009.

-We took a few fun beach trips and enjoyed our annual trip to Sunriver with family. Lots of bike riding, swimming, games and time together. We hope to attempt some more outdoor adventures this year...hiking, camping etc.

-We had the biggest snow storm in the Northwest in 40 years and had a white Christmas! Ben's first time sledding and building a snow man. Our first time stuck in the house as a family for about 10 days.

-I have attempted to get back into the world of working out regularly...a few times. I found out I really enjoy cooking and trying new recipes out on my friends and family. I had to ban myself from Whole Foods for a while after spending $40 on the ingredients for risotto.

Today was a lazy day. Brian worked while the kids ran around all day in their PJs. Sam mentioned during lunch... "Mom, you forgot to get us dressed today!" Hmmm - he knows how to dress himself so I won't take the blame for that one. But I will say that it would be a big laundry saver if they just stayed in their jammies a few days a week!

We are heading over to Kristi's spend New Years Eve with friends tonight. The kids are having a pajama party (how fitting) and early New Years at 9pm... We'll see how long the adults last.

Happy New Year!