3, 2, 1......

Technically, the title should be 3 1/2 , 2 3/4, and 1 3/4...the ages represented under our roof Monday night. While Avi Joy's parents were in Vietnam adopting baby Nehemiah, we got to have Avi Joy come for a sleepover. It was kind of crazy, kind of wild......and very, very comical! We had fun!

Anyone who knows Avi Joy or has read her parent's blog knows about her crazy verbal skills and the very creative and funny things she says and sings. Let me just say, she did not disappoint!

Working together on a Pistol Pete puzzle. Sarah is really into puzzles right now. She has great visual memory and concentration.

Two giggly girls in a bedroom. You know they didn't go to bed easily!

Waiting for Nehemiah at the airport.

Nehemiah with his grandpa at the airport. I wish I had a picture of Natasha. Perfect hair, perfect makeup, wearing an Ao Dai. The only person in the world I know of that comes off an airplane looking beautiful. :)

Just a cute PJ picture.

Don't they look grown up eating at the counter?

2008 In Review

This is our first year to (regretfully) not write a Christmas letter to go with our family picture card. So, while this won't be a "letter," it will highlight the bigger things from this past year.

January:

• I had jury duty for the first time and was within an hour of being seated on a pretty ugly and guesome case- whew!
  
• Sarah transitioned from her crib to a big girl bed.

February:

• Michael's mother Doris passed away in Fargo, ND and Michael officiated her service.
• Michael's family had a reunion at his parent's house (dad and stepmom) in Ft. Worth. Seven out of the eight siblings and 10 out of the 13 grand kids were able to be there.

March:

• Sarah potty trained!!
• Andrew's adoption was legally finalized and Sarah's was re-finalized.
• Michael celebrated his 33rd birthday on Easter weekend.

April:

• We enjoyed a short family getaway with my parents to Branson.
  
• Andrew celebrated his 1st birthday and took his first steps.

May:

• Michael led a team of college students on a 17 day mission trip to Malawi, Africa.

June:

• I served on a committee for Dillon International that hosted the 1st annual Vietnam Heritage Weekend. We had a great time connecting with old friends and travel mates and making new acquaintances.

July:

• Sarah celebrated her 3rd birthday.
• We celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary.
  
• I "retired" from my job to become a stay-at-home mom.

August:

• I celebrated my 32nd birthday.
• Michael's pastoral responsiblities expanded at church to include oversight of Children and Family Ministry in addition to Youth Min. and College Min.
  

September:

• Sarah celebrated her 2nd Forever Family Day.

October:

• Sarah and Andrew enjoyed a fall of football and tailgating.
• Michael served as a foreman of a jury.
  

November:

• Michael and I had our 1st getaway without the kids.
• We celebrated Thanksgiving in Texas with Michael's family. It was the last Thanksgiving at Papa and Nana's home in Ft. Worth since they moved to Albuquerque the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

December:

• Andrew's birth mother came to Oklahoma to see our family. We had a very nice visit.
  
• We celebrated Christmas here with my side of the family.

We wish you a healthy and blessed 2009. Happy New Year!