A New Year

I decided for a new year, I wanted a new look for my blog. Last night (or rather this morning) we were thinking back to our favorite things from 2009. I decided I would share some of them.

January - Alexa turned 8 - she had a princess tea party. She was not feeling well - it was a tough day. We went skiing for the very first time with our friends the Carrows and Huffmans. It was a lot of fun - Owen nearly gave me a heart attack on the slopes.

February - Just an ordinary month - Upward was still going on and Owen had tons of gymnastic meets. We endured February.

March - Owen turned 12. He had a couple of friends over to celebrate. We were pressed to get it in around Upward, gymnastics and Ryan's work schedule.

April - Owen made it to Regionals in gymnastics. Owen and I flew to Miami for him to compete. He came in 12th overall. Driving all over Miami in a rental car was an experience I will never forget. Tax season ended. We normally go on a trip but skiing counted as our trip - we just went before tax season started rather than when it ended. We decided we liked it better at the end.

May - Emily went to her first prom. She went with a couple of girl friends and had a great time. We finished our second year of Tapestry of Grace. We went on an impromptu trip to Williamsburg with friends. It was a great time. We hadn't been there for years. We did something different for the homeschool conference this year. I went with a few girl friends and stayed one night. I came home early and Ryan and I went camping. It was a lot of fun and made us feel 20 again.

June - Alexa, Ian and myself participated in VBS while Ryan, Emily and Owen did TaeKwonDo's sports camp. I taught the 5 year olds. Alexa and Ian didn't remember ever participating in VBS. It was a lot of fun and felt good to be back.

July - Alexa went to day camp at New Life Camp for the very first time. She went with two of her good friends. They had a great time. Ian had "Camp Fun Nemitz" at our house with friends. It was a lot of fun as well. However, now he is thinking we need to do that every year instead of him going to camp! Ryan, Emily and Owen went to Texas with Taekwondo on a missions trip. This was Owen's first missions trip. He did very well.

August - We went to Topsail Island for the week. It was a great time of relaxation with family and friends. School started back and there went August.

September - Emily turned 16. We had a big bash and then Emily, Ryan and myself went to New York. It was incredible. I don't think I would want to live there permanately but I don't think I would ever tire of visiting. We went to see Wicked. It was awesome. I never got to read a book in Central Park - that is on the list for next time. Ian turned 7. He had a Scooby Doo party. I am still in shock that he is a legal homeschooler - where did the time go?

October - I became an aunt for the 3rd time. I love it - I try very hard to be a good aunt. AnchorSoul was back at our church. This is one of Emily's all time favorite activities. She and Ryan did Sr. Anchorsoul and Alexa and I did Jr Anchorsoul.

November - came and went in a flash. Owen's meets started back up and Upward practice began again.

December - Ryan and I started December off with a mini-vacation. We went to Pilot Knob and stayed at a bed and breakfast there for two nights. We got a lot of Christmas shopping done which took a lot of pressure off of me. It was wonderful and I hope will become an annual event. My dad and Emily were in charge of the kids. It was nice knowing they were home. We celebrated a wonderful Christmas season with family and friends.

Looking back over our year of highlights we can see how truly blessed we are.