Our "Me Tree": year in review

Most of you won't find this post interesting, but I eventually want to find somewhere where I can get my blog printed in book format, one for each year. And since today is the last day of 2008, I felt some "closure" was needed so when it's printed as a book, it doesn't end with a random post. So this is our Christmas letter that was sent in our cards, which I think reviews our year nicely. I think this will be a good last entry in the future book. We had a fabulous 2008 and are looking forward to what 2009 has to bring us. Happy New Year, everyone!

Happy Holidays from the Sandlians!

We hope this letter finds everyone in the Christmas spirit, celebrating all that happened in 2008 and looking forward to 2009! Our year was busy as usual but we wouldn’t want it any other way.

Our family had two graduations this year, and both were on the same day. Unfortunately, Josh’s was in Montana and my sister’s was in Laramie, so Josh wasn’t able to attend his ceremony. But yes, Josh graduated in May with his master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction and is now a full-fledged teacher! My sister finished college and graduated with her nursing degree. We had a great weekend celebrating those two accomplishments.

At the end of June, we, along with my mom, dad, sister, brother-in-law, and nephew, spent some time in Disney World. It was a great time. Both Ryan and Brecken thought their first trip there was a blast. Brecken enjoyed the rides and shows, and had a great time on the trip. He wasn’t sure he wanted the characters to touch him, but had a good time looking at them from afar. J Josh and I had to come home on July 3^rd so we could attend the wedding of Josh’s brother, Jeff, to our new sister-in-law, Beth. We were very excited to welcome Beth into the Sandlian family! And what a fun wedding it was! We had a lot of family at the wedding and it was fun to catch up with everyone.

Also in July, we moved! We grew out of our old house and were in need of a bigger one. We found the perfect one and were able to move after we got back from the wedding. We sure love the room we have- it is twice as big as our old house and has a ton of storage, which was DESPERATELY needed! It also has a two car garage, and now that we don’t need the garage for storage, Josh and I can both park in there. We sure love that, especially right now when we don’t have to scrape windows before we can leave for work! It also has a built in kennel in the garage that goes to a fenced one outside for our two dogs. Perfect! We have a gorgeous view of the mountains out our picture window in the living room. We also have a lot of bedrooms so if you’re in the neighborhood, stop by and visit!

We welcomed a new niece into our family on July 29, named Brooklyn Paige Winegar. This is my sister’s 2^nd child and we’re loving watching her grow! Brecken even named his baby doll “Brooke”. He loves babies and pays her a lot of attention!

This fall was a bit rough on us. Football season started and not too soon afterwards, one of my students, who was also one of Josh’s favorite football players, was killed in a car accident 4 days before his 18^th birthday. It was horrible. Neither of us had ever dealt with the death of a student. It hurt so bad to watch my other students be in so much pain. The team struggled, too. They never really got their momentum back and ended the season not making the playoffs. If you text on your phone while driving, STOP. If you don’t wear your seatbelt, START. Got it?

Brecken turned two years old in September. Not sure how he grew up so fast! The age of two certainly is a lot different than the age of one… lots more challenges but a lot more fun, too! He is a talker and can mimic anything you say. He is very good at bossing the dogs and cats around, and is the most hilarious two year old I’ve ever met. His favorite game right now is hiding body parts. He’ll sit on his hands and say, “Mommy, where hands go?” Then pull them out and shout, “There they are!” He started at a new daycare this fall; the lady that owns it is the head coach for Josh’s basketball team. She is FABULOUS and Brecken loves going there to play! He also started pre-school this fall, Fridays for an hour and a half. He is learning things at an alarming rate and brings home the best paintings and crafts. I have a very smart child. J

Another new niece was born in September, Josh’s brother and sister-in-law had their 3 ^rd child, Hailey Jo. Brecken’s other baby doll is now named “Hailey”. I told you the kid loves babies!

Brecken got to go trick-or treating for the first time this October. He was dressed as a monkey and caught on to saying, “Trit-er-reet!” very quickly after he realized there was candy involved! I’m pretty sure that was the best night of his whole life. The kid is a candy monster. J

Josh is still teaching high school science, coaching high school football, and coaching high school girls basketball. Basketball has started and Brecken gets to go to practice sometimes. He loves practice. He cried when football season was over because he couldn’t go to practice anymore. He thinks basketball practice a good substitute for football though. J Josh is also still running on the ambulance as an EMT-AI (Advanced Intermediate) and that keeps him very busy in his “free time” from school and practice. He’s also still on the fire department but luckily they don’t get too many calls.

I am still teaching K-12 music in Encampment and loving it. I love the diversity it gives me- I don’t have time to get tired of any one age group! My free time is spent at home playing with Brecken! We have a ball together.

We are leaving soon for a trip to Florida, to attend my cousin’s wedding in Marco Island. I know, I know, visiting Florida in the winter while we have snow on the ground is a rough job, but someone has to do it! J We are going with my mom and dad, and after a very quick two days in Disney World following the wedding, we will fly home on Christmas Eve. It will be a nice vacation.