{good- bye 2008}

New Year's Eve and I'm sitting here with my Starbucks white chocolate Americano catching up on some of my favorite blogs. I probably should be folding the mountain of laundry that is staring me down (again!) but who wants to fold laundry on New Year's Eve?

2008 has been such an amazing year... and definitely one that has gone by way too quickly. We have had the joy of watching Maddy grow from a sweet and cuddly newborn into an even sweeter and happy little one year old. My little man learned to ride his bike like a pro, is learning his letters and sounds and is wanting to read so badly, and continues to amaze me when it comes to his imagination and his artistic, creative abilities. In 2008 our family said good-bye to our old boy Louie, the yellow lab we had for 13 years. He is waiting for us with Payton and others at the Rainbow Bridge. Have you seen the movie Marley and Me yet? Well, Louie could give Marley a run for his money in the wild and crazy department. He's already been gone 5 months... but we still miss his joyful spirit and goofiness everyday.

And 2008 was the year I got to know so many of YOU and had a chance to do something that I love and have become so passionate about...photography. I have been updating my website this week (check it out!) and it's funny how photographs take you back to that place in time. Looking through them put me right back there with your sweet, precious newborns and your joyful and giggling toddlers. I hope they do the same for you. Thanks again for an incredible 2008 and best wishes for 2009!

And of course... there has to be pictures too! I wanted to include pictures of my kids as I see them right now at the end of 2008. It's not always about the *perfect* picture - for me it's about capturing the moment... here are two ...

This is Will's idea of posing. He likes to point his fingers. :) You wouldn't believe how many pictures I have with his fingers pointing just like this. He is a silly one, a completely adorable goof-ball!


And Maddy...the sleepy one. She has truly been such a dream baby from the moment we brought her home. Here she is cuddling with her bunny that she can't sleep without. This picture is far from *perfect* but it will help me remember those quiet moments when I sneak into her room to watch her sleep...