Hey, I cannot figure out how to make part one come first. So you get part 2 firs then part one. If you want to start at the beginning of our year scroll down to the part one Year in review.

Thanks for visiting.
Megan

2008 Year in Review Part 2

Nick on the Bluefin's Swimming team this year.

He did really well and enjoys it. Of course we watched the Olympics with a passion. Michel Phleps now is one of our favorite famous people.



On your mark.....

Joshua at the meet taking pictures..... Visiting and rooting for the team. He does not, However, want to be on the team again.

Out the back door I heard the Wood pecker. I was shocked to see him taping on our neighbors fake plastic Owl. They use the Owl to keep the birds off their play set because they make a mess and the kids don't want to sit on the swings with bird poop. But woody here decided there was something fishy about it all. He continued to peck for a long time. I was even able to get up close to catch a few shots.


This spider stuck about the front of our house for weeks. He would make the most beautiful webs and then he would move. This picture was my favorite. Nick is inside the window. I love nature.

I came home after being out of town for a while and Josh ran up to the car and plastered his face on the window. It is always good to be home. I think he actually missed me.

While eating lunch at a friends house, the kids had a ball on their zip line. It went across the yard and they landed on a trampolene. They had a blast.




Back at the home front we found more rot. This whole year has been one of replacing the entire exterior of the house. Here you see why. We found this site more that we liked. John has worked so hard. I am glad that it is winter now so he can relax. While re building this wall He added a stain glass window. I was very excited as were the kids.

There is noting like having a new whole in the wall. Just seeing out where there was once wall is a fun experience.

And here it is. Our new creative additon.
This is a stain glass window I have had for over 20 years. I have always had it sitting in windows, now it IS the window. Thank you John.

It made such a difference with the light in the kitchen.


Going to the Zoo is always a favorite of the younger two of the family . Here we are taking pictures of the sea lion show, and watching the panda's.

Monkey play is always a favorite and no visit is complete with out going to the farm and riding the cow.... I could probally find a picture a year for every year of their life on this same cow.









There is just something special about crawling in the egg at the zoo. They will soon out grow this so I just enjoy it. Sweet youth.

Abi's new passion is Gymnastics. She is always jumping tumbling and cartwheeing her way around the house. At times it is very anoying but she is really improving. I am proud that she works so hard at it.

We love to cuddle our boys. Some times they like it and sometimes they don't! I have learned you have to take what you can get and be thankful for the sweet moments.











This spring we put up the basket ball goal on the street. We live on a hill so that was the only place to put it. The boys have played for hours every day so I guess it is worth the eye sore. It is a great way to get over being mad or just have some fun with your brother or with the neighbors.



Once again the dog is the center of our world. He loves the attention. Great to sleep with, cuddle or just do tricks. He loves people and is very patient about the kids bugging him all the time. He is also great protection. Most people are pretty scared of him when they first see him. He is big.

One afternoon I realized that the boys were having alot of fun up in their room. I went up stairs to find Joshua swinging across his room. They had put an Eye hook in their ceiling and hooked up the climbing gear. It was quite a site. Now the put up the second hook and when friends come over to spend the night they just put up the hammoch.

Boys are so much fun. I would never have thought of the things they do.

Josh and Nicholas played soccer this fall. Josh got into the team spirit and sprayed his spikes orange. Below is the "beastly awesome photo" that I took of Joshua. He is very expressive!

Halloween! What fun. Every year the question is what do you want to be this year. Ok, So Joshua told me that he wanted to be Garlic Man. No there is not a Garlic Man this was just some one he came up with. What an imagation. Thankfully Abi wanted to be a Hippy.... that was easy to make but Garlic Man? What does he wear? What does he Do? Well of corse mom he wears a garlic hat, mask and a cape! Oh the challanges my son give me. But it is amazing how much you can do with fleece! The horror, pumpkin murder!
We went to a friends for a fun party and trick a treating!

Playing in the neighborhood showing off their constumes.

I have never seen such a pretty Hippy!

Family Game night! Always a fun event. We are playing an old favorite Clue. This always gives dad a chance to try out new accents. The kids love to buff and guess. Our neghbor's kids were there with us, Emi and Kai loved the event.

I think it was the maid in the hall........? Not correct my dear!

Thanks giving at the Powells. Everyone that was in town joined us a our house for our Thanksgiving feast. I had a great time setting the table. I love this holiday. The family picture. left to right Ryann, Allyn, Lindy, John Nick(bottom) Jackson(top) Zack (top)Amy, Om Abi, Joshua (bottom) Posey (top) Sam (bottom) Bob (top) and Chris. (And this was a small group)

Our boys are stair steped here. Zack16, Jackson 15, Nick13, Sam 14, and and big mouth...I mean Joshua is 11. And our Beautiful girls.

John took us to a new place he found in Shelby Farms. We loved going down to the Wolf river so close to home. When it came time for our Christmas cards I decided we could take them there. It seems like it is a million miles away from the city. It is even quiet down there. To the left we have the boys acting up while Abi is giving us a beautiful pose. I love these kids.. So special to be a mom.

Now this is a great picture. It was so hard picking the one for the card... I love taking pictures of kids out doors. I think I may even try and do some of that on the side for cash.
Ok, I am showing my age when all I can think about is ...... "Here we come, Walking down the street, Everybody is love spun, everyone we meet..... Hey Hey we're the Monkeys....... Yeah now your are singing it to.....

We made Gingerbread houses this year Abi helped alot with the baking, constructing and decorating Her house was beautiful and she did it all by her self.

We had made the pieces a couple of days before we actually put them together. Somehow a few pieces were broken (I think a rat must have taken a bite). John was about to make another batch when Joshua said, No Dad, I want make a Tornado damaged Gingerbread house. And that he did complete with a dead teacher in the school house and witched feet sticking out from under the house.

It was a site to behold. You really cannot get the full felling of it but it was very creative.

Nick being a boy loved it. Here he was looking all around and laughing about it.





Here is a view looking down on the creation. You can just make out the snow man teacher. And then you have Death spelled out in blood and pretzel sticks written across one side. What are these kids getting in school? Oh yea... I am their teacher and I know they didn't get this from me!

The Boys Joined the Choir at Independent Prespatirian church. Nick for the pizza and Josh for his friend walker. We had their first big event and they did great. It was a sweet night

For Abi's Birthday I suprised her with letting her

get her ears pierced. She had been bugging me for years to get it done. She has grown up so much this last year. She has become so responsible and so helpful. I love this stage but realize how fast time is flying by. I pray daily that God will help me savor the moments that he gives me with my children. Here we are just after getting her ears pierced. She was so happy to show them off. Mom has to take the camera everywhere and everything is a special event.

Our friends the Higgins played CS lewis and the White Witch at IPC's Christmas sundayschool event. They came by to see the birthday girl. They were very good looking if I must say so my self.

On Abi's Birthday we had Community Group, Tim Burleson of Ugly Mugg Coffe has another talent he never told us about. He makes a wow birthday cake. Can we say purple! Kaki his daughter helped. We have some great kids in our group.



You know that in school we talk about the kids seperating out girls and boys.... It does not stop their. These guys really do enjoy them selves.














Our Neighbor Stacie Nix got everyone together and went caroling in the neighborhood. It was really fun. I think the kids really enjoyed it. It is just another way that we are blessed here in our little house and neighborhood.

A Sweet friend had this, one of my favorite, Christmas Carol on her last blogg. Thank you Tona.

May God bless you all richley and may you discover a new passion for the Lord who's passion for you led to this very special event. When God became Man.

Much love to you all, Megan

O Holy Night

O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,

It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth.

Long lay the world in sin and error pining,

'Til He appear'd and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees! O, hear the angels' voices!

O night divine, O night when Christ was born;

O night divine, O night, O night Divine.

Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming,

With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.

So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,

Here come the wise men from Orient land.

The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger;

In all our trials born to be our friend.

He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger,

Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!

Behold your King, Behold your King.

Truly He taught us to love one another;

His law is love and His gospel is peace.

Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother;

And in His name all oppression shall cease.

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,

Let all within us praise His holy name.

Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,

His power and glory evermore proclaim.

His power and glory evermore proclaim.