The end of 2008

Wow, another year has gone by. Believe it or not, we really will be sending out cards. We're calling them New Year's cards. They'll go out on Friday. And yes, you may call us slackers--at least, those of you who managed to get out your holiday cards around the actual holidays. Those who didn't...we identify best with you. Just so you know.



OK, my resolutions. I did pretty well with last year's. This year, I'm resolving to be more Earth-friendly. I made some pretty big adjustments this year (that were surprisingly easy to make) but will make some more for next year--and will happily write about them here. Heh heh heh. I'm also resolving to be more organized, in the hopes that it will leave me more time to spend with those that I love. And play with our Wii.

At this time last year, I didn't know this little boy. I knew his face, but I didn't know him. I had no idea how much I was missing until we brought him home.

Last year, we thought about getting a Wii. This year, Jason got us a Wii for Hanukkah. What an awesome husband!
Last year, Melkamu didn't get to celebrate Hanukkah with us. This year, he had a great time at Patrick's class Hanukkah party, and we celebrated every night. He does a pretty good sound mimic of the blessings over the candles.

Last year, my kids didn't have each other to hug. This year, I get tons of happy-tear-inducing moments like this one. I will NEVER tire of them.


Last year, Jason decorated some gingerbread cookies in weird and decidedly un-Christmasy ways. This year...oh wait, he did the same thing. Here we have a sampling of them. On the counter (top row, left): Blue Man Group, the Eye of Sauron, Old Yeller, accident victim #1, (bottom row, left) fat gingerbread man whose button is popping off, Harry Potter, a vampire, a shot star (instead of a shooting star), accident victim #2--complete with license plate embedded on his chest, and a witch burning at the stake. Jason is quite talented, but scary.

Last year, we had a quiet Christmas at home with just the three of us. This year, we had a lovely Christmas with Jason's family. Mom, Dad, and Adam came to celebrate with us. (This is as close as I got to a picture with all three of them in one.)

Last year, we only had one cute kid by the stockings on Christmas morning. This year, two perfectly adorable ones!

This last picture has nothing to do with New Year's, but I thought it was funny: Patrick got up to go to the bathroom at some point last night and was apparently too tired to make it back to his bed. I got upstairs to find him curled up on the bathroom rug. *snort*

Have a wonderful New Year--come and see us in 2009!