Happy New Year!

I realize it was before Thanksgiving the last time I posted anything. But as you will be able to tell from the pictures we've been fairly busy.

First off, I want to wish you all a Happy New Year! 2009 was a great year for us. God blessed us in so many ways. We have much to be grateful for.

We spent Thanksgiving with our friends Brian and Erica. They have two girls, Mya and (big) Allie. The two Allie's actually go to the same school. It was a great time. We appreciate them inviting us over to share such delicious food.

The beginning of December found us going to birthday and Christmas parties. We had Mazey and Isabella for a weekend too. Allie had a blast playing with the older girls. I don't think she knew what to do with all of the attention.

We left Christmas day to go back to Nebraska. Due to a snowstorm, we were stuck in Omaha for the night. We ended up staying at the Hilton and having Christmas dinner at the hotel bar. Allie learned how to throw coins into a fountain and make a wish. She ended up emptying her dad's pockets from all of her requests for more coins. She didn't get to open any presents on Christmas day but it wasn't due to lack of effort. The hotel had a tree in the lobby that had wrapped presents under it. She pushed, carried, and shuffled those things the entire time we were there. She'd ask, "Please, open a present!" I felt sorry for her at the time, but those thoughts quickly faded once we reached Tecumseh and she was bombarded with gifts.

The rest of our time in Nebraska was a lot of fun. Brian and I watched The Blind Side. Amazing movie if you haven't seen it. Though that recommendation is coming from someone that's been in the theater a total of 2 times in the past 33 months!

Allie loved going to my grandparent's soda fountain. What a special treat for a little girl! She had fun seeing all of her family. It is amazing how well she knows her way around Tecumseh considering she's only 2 and lives 1,000 miles away.

We returned home to sunny Arizona on January 1. Brian and I were back to work on the 3rd and Allie headed back to school.

We hosted a Christmas party for all of our flight school friends shortly after we returned. It was great fun to see everyone. Doesn't happen as much as it used to, so it is always a treat when we can. When we met their were two kids in the bunch - Jace and Mazey. Now we are at 9!

We've also been to the zoo, a Cardinals game and birthday party since we've been home. Allie has been involved in swimming since September. We go to that every week. She's not swimming under water and floating on her back. Can you tell we're a busy family!