Happy New Year!

So after ending 2006 with a bang (great Xmas visit from Baba, great New Year's visit from Dr. Auntie Ray, FSU AND UT winning their bowl games) it is time for the year in review. This 2006 year really took our family for a spin. We had some high highs and some very low lows. We laughed, we cried, but we always kept our heads high and looked toward the future. The kids grew some, Tom and I grew some (yeah, we need to fix that part...), the kids learned bunches, my brain leaked out of my head (you hang around with three little guys all day and see how much of your mental capacity you retain!), and I started blogging. So, it's only natural at this point that I take a look back at 2006. It is definitely a year that we won't forget.

January
Got my cool new glasses
Ian and Sam were evaluated for a speech delay
I take Ian, Sam, and Baba to see the Monster Jam in San Antonio (Max was sick so Tom stayed home)
We began preparing to move to VA
I got to go to the SPA!

February
Tom and I took the boys to see Elmo perform
Ian starts school for his speech delay - at Mason Elementary (Rode the bus and everything)
Grandma Sybil passes away
A week later Grandpa Kermit passes away (He commented to me at her funeral that he was just waiting for her to go first so he didn't leave her here alone - he died a few days later)
My first trip to NY for a funeral
Ian and Sam had a great Birthday Party at the Little Gym

March
My second trip to NY for a funeral
Continue getting the house ready to sell
We get packed up and MOVE to VA over Spring Break
We live in a hotel through the end of the month
Find a house and sign a lease and all the things that accompany that
Max starts at a new school


April
Our cats finally arrive in DC
I discover the local MOMS Club and the National Zoo
Max starts U-6 Arlington soccer
Ian and Sam start Smart Start soccer
I find a new gym
Head back to NY one more time to help Dad and Aunt Gail clear out the Grandparent's house
We unpack boxes, and more boxes, and then a few more boxes
(pretty slow month here...)

May
Ian starts speech with Shannon
Matt B.'s Car arrives as does Matt B. (old college friend)
I hit the gym hard and fast (actually quite slowly - it's been a while since I've worked out with a personal trainer and he pulled out all the stops in causing me great muscle pain)
Again, nothing much this month - oh, we keep finding more boxes


June
Mom was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor June 2 - we find out while out on a date - something we rarely do
I headed to SA immediately
The little boys see their first movie in a theater - CARS!
I work at a scrapbook convention here in Chantilly, VA
Tom heads to IL for his grandma's memorial service


July






We take the boys to SA for a last visit with Mimi - it was s wonderful time for everyone

We get to ride on Tom's boss's boat - the boys love it
Sam is evaluated for a speech delay
Both vans break down within a week of each other and cost us an arm and a leg
Another trip for me to see Mom
Mom passes away July 26
I head back to SA to be with Dad

August

Dad comes to VA to visit join us at Max's birthday party

Max has a cool 6th birthday with family and friends (Yes, we gave the three year olds golf clubs...HEY - it was putt-putt!)
I take the boys to Totally Trucks in Reston (all the big work trucks were there!)
Peapod starts bringing us food!!! (they deliver groceries)
Tom heads to Univ. of Washington for several days
Max gets stung by his first hornet and we all learn what a Giant European Hornet is (and see their very cool hives look like)

We all head to San Francisco for Moms' Memorial Luncheon
Beth and Sami arrive in DC (Matt's wife and daughter) - we hang out a bunch with them while they are here



September
I do my first demo at a scrapbook store
We all head to San Antonio for Mom's memorial luncheon
Max starts First Grade
Ian potty trains himself (with a little help from mom and dad)
Max starts Arlington U-6 soccer again
Ian and Sam start Smart Start Soccer again
Our landlord threatens to evict us (long & quite funny story will come very soon)

October
Dr. Auntie Ray comes to visit
Max cuts his head open by bouncing on the bed - gets staples
Sam starts speech with Shannon
Ian and Sam go to the dentist for the first time
Kate come to visit (Tom's friend from HS)
Ian and Sam start Turbo Tumbling at the gym
I hold my first local crop
Baba comes to DC for Halloween - dresses up with the kids
Tom, the boys and I hit the Boo at the Zoo - VERY COOL!

November
Tom goes to Providence for the day
Aunt Sue comes to visit
I take the little boys to see Banjo Man in DC (they have more fun on the Metro and don't care about the show at all!)
I do my first Scrapbook Demo at a major craft store
Have Thanksgiving Dinner here with the Matt, Beth, and Sami
Took Max to the Dr. for a smashed hand (he caught his hand in the van door on the way to the Reston holiday Parade) - X-rays show that it is fine - squished, but fine
Go to a Tiny Tots Concert at a local HS with Beth and Sami - kids and the moms love it

December
We sneak off to Disney World on a whim (found $54 one way tickets from here to there - couldn't pass it up)
Ian gets sick at Disney
The rest of us catch it when we get home
We start looking for a new place to live and find it - signing the lease towards the end of the month
Tom, Ian, Sam and I attend Matt's graduation from the Dept of State Diplomatic Security Training - he heads off with Beth and Sami to New Jersey (working in NY)
Dad comes to visit
Dr. Auntie Ray comes to visit
Max starts U-6 Indoor Soccer (talk about a fun thing to watch!)






And here we are! So, I sit here at 12:30 am on the end of the first day of 2007 wondering what it has in store for us. (Actually I'm watching a GREAT football game - Boise State and OK - just went into overtime or I'd be in bed already!) We are ready and looking forward to the new year.

Here's what I know will happen next year:
We'll move into a new house.
Max will go from First Grade to Second Grade.
Ian and Sam will start Preschool.
Tom's commute will go from 12 minutes to about 25 minutes (yeah, not so fun).
We'll head to California to visit and celebrate.
We'll hit Disney World again (go Southwest!).
We'll enjoy watching the kids grow and learn.
I will continue blogging and sharing our adventures.
Welcome 2007!

P.S. - I finally got all the pics loaded up, so here it is for real! Enjoy 2007! -Suzie