YEAR IN REVIEW

Ok, so it has almost been a year since the last posting. Man, time flies! It has been suggested...or is being expected by my friend Grace, to have a year in review. Although it seems overwhelming to catch up instead of just starting today....I think I'm going to give it a try. Here is a quick look back from May 2009 through September 2008. Then I will resume with June 2009...which only being half way done has been a busy month.

MAY 2009

Aunt Marge and Uncle Bob's: Scott's Grandma and Grandpa Yoder came to visit from Minnesota. We were invited for a delicious dinner to spend time with family. AND, of course we asked for the tour of Bob and Marge's new home - which is beautiful!

Grandma and Grandpa Yoder from Minnesota

Getting dinner ready - grilled meat, veggies and Grandma's famous noodles. What else could you want?

Spending time with family

Friends Move Away: Our good friends David, Grace, Ally, Brad and Abigail left GC for David to take a year and go to school for a career change (and to show all those 19 year olds how school is done). And, as far as I'm concerned...they will be back in GC after this year...it may be a different house but they will be in GC! Got that, Grace???

Sad Good-Byes: We had to say good-bye to "Red", our Sierra puppy. Scott and I got her as a new little puppy when I moved back to Iowa City after I finished my internship in Delaware and Scott still had a semester of football and school left. She is so missed...by us and the girls.

April 2009

God's Little Princess Tea Party: My friend Grace had an idea to have a party for our little girls and some of their friends. So, as Grace does....and I love her for it....she got me involved in the planning process. We wanted to show these precious little girls that they are loved for who they are and they are special because of the gifts that God has blessed them with. It is not what you wear or what you have that makes you special. You are special because you are God's special child and are completely loved by Him no matter what! We had a couple of our friends help get the point across by portraying a "snotty princess but is dressed fancy" and one as a "very nice princess dressed in jeans". So, you are a princess because you are God's child...not because you wear a gown. It was a great afternoon and my girls loved it!

All of our princesses!

March 2009

Birthday Celebration: Scott and his brother Kevin celebrate their birthdays on the 21st.

Kevin is at a disadvantage with 2 more candles...its getting hard, isn't it boys??

A new cousin - McCoy Ottsen:

At the hospital: Kevin with Anderson, Scott holding McCoy, Brooklyn and Alex lovin' their cousins!

February 2009

Saying Good-bye to Grandma: This was a hard month for our family...my Grandma went to be with Jesus. The girls and I were able to drive down to Florida to spend a little time with her before things got really bad. My mom was already there helping take care of my grandparents and my brother Andrew flew from Oregon. It was an extremely difficult life event but I'm so grateful that I could be there for her to know that we love her and will miss her.

The girls wearing flowers from Great-Grandma house

Great-Grandpa up to his old tricks....not just two hands but three!

Las Vegas: Scott and I went to Las Vegas compliments of Mudd Advertising. My mom came to stay with the girls in GC while we went on our get-away.

We walked all the way to "the sign" from our casino - MGM Grand. What a hike!

January 2009

Another Birthday: I got another year older.

Sushi, anyone?:The girls and I ate a lot of sushi. Aunt Jessica and Uncle Andrew got us hooked during Christmas. It is so fun to watch the girls use chopsticks! They are actually pretty good now.

December 2008

What a month! We had quite the celebration for Jesus' birthday!! It started with the Yoder Christmas and then the Abblitt's invaded Iowa...GC in particular. It took Andrew and Jess a little longer to get here than we would have liked due to the nasty weather (their lugguage arrived even later)...but, they made it! My Mom, Dad, Andrew, Jess, Aric, Archer and Maigan all came to celebrate. Luckily Scott's parents are very gracious and allowed one of their rooms to be used by Andrew and Jess. What a great time we all had!

The girls driving their new "Gator"

We all went sledding at the elementary school and then a game of football broke out. Nothing like a little "snow football"...and yes, it was tackle! Scott normally is forced into a game of soccer at Christmas but being his home turf...it was football for Christmas 2008!

Back: Aric, Archer, Andrew, Jessica, Scott, Kevin (Scott's brother), Dad

Front: Maigan, Mom, Mandy, Alex, Brooklyn

November 2008
Alex started potty training...no more diapers!!!

October 2008

The month of the MARINE CORPS MARATHON! My dad, my brothers - Aric and Archer - and myself all decided to run the marathon together. What a great idea....whose brainchild was that?? Oh...sorry...it was mine! It would have been great but I was battling injuries from my marathon in June, Archer had mono and Aric never had time to train. Dad was feeling good and put all of us to shame. As expected, I'm sure. This marathon was the 30th anniversary from the 1st MCM that Dad ran. After the pain stopped....it really is an event I will treasure. Not too many people can say they ran a marathon with their Dad and brothers. And, I should mention...my other brother Andrew did not join in on the "fun". He thinks we are all crazy and is probably right. But, he loves us anyways. Scott, my Mom, "the girlfriends" - Cindy and Maigan- along with Brooklyn & Alex were our support crew and got us back to the cars at the end. How about going again in 2010?

Archer, Mandy, Aric and Dad

September 2008

Although I do not have a picture to prove it because I left my camera at home...Scott participated in the Sprint Triathlon in Iowa City. It was quite the experience. We had never been to a triathlon before and there were some serious people just waiting for the gun to go.