2008 - Year in Review

As I sit down to write this, I realize that I can't remember much from 2008. Perhaps this is because life has gotten so hectic that I don't even remember what I had for lunch yesterday. This sparce recollection won't be broken down in months or anything so organized, but more likely haphazard as I recall it.

I became the President of the Board of Directors for the YWCA of Alton. For a while I felt pretty important, but quickly realized that I was just the biggest sucker in the room. We kept the organization afloat during a very turbulent time, so I'm proud of us for that. I will say that I'm happy to be in the number 2 spot this year (VP). Being in charge of something isn't nearly so great as it sounds.

I learned to make cookies this year. I know this may sound totally ridiculous for a college educated woman whose been married for 6 years and came from a family of pretty darn good cooks. However, my cookies have lived in infamy since the day that not even the dogs would eat them. Anyway, this year, I tackled this embarrassment and, with some lessons from mom and Bunny, made some kick-ass sugar cookies, chocolate chip cookies, and oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.

Patrick turned 2 in May! Sam and I can't believe that he's already two. He runs, jumps, climbs, falls, talks, asks questions...I could go on. I think his vocabulary increases at least 5% a day! He's amazing. Now I feel silly for being excited about a 2 year old that can run, jump, etc., but I think daily that my kid is really a genius.


Our biggest event of the year was Eva's birth. She was born on October 3rd, 2008. She weighed 7lbs and was 20 inches long. Not sure if it was me getting older or what, but this pregnancy wasn't as easy as the last one. Either way, she is here and healthy. The most beautiful baby girl ever. p.s. Yay for epidurals!

Sam turned the big 3-0 on December 17. Shawn flew up and surprised Sam for the weekend. They had lots of celebrating to do as Shawn turned 30 on 12/4. We had nice dinner at Bella Milano on Saturday night that weekend and then went to Dave and Buster's for some good old fashioned time wasting F-U-N (and adult beverages). Sam got, among other things, a .22 pistol for target shooting.

Thanksgiving was busy as usual, but yummy. We made the rounds and spent our day surrounded by lots of family. We are SO lucky to have so much family. Christmas was strange this year because Sam had to work Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but we made it work. We turned it into a 5 day food/gift/family bonanza. Yeeha!

I'm sure I'll think of 8 things I meant to write once I post this, but the above is our year in review. It was full, busy, lovely, hard and fast. Coming soon: the Hooligans' hopes and plans for 2009...