Happy New Year 2014!!

Happy, Happy New Year 2014!!!

Wow! This year flew by....and what a year it was!

Our Blogging got a little behind this year as life and everything else caught up with us a little bit, but that certainly doesn't mean we didn't have a crazy year!

So...how 'bout the Top Five of 2013!

#1  Travels!  As a family, we visited some awesome places this year:

• Seattle and Washington State
• San Diego, Sea World and Legoland
• Walt Disney World
• Branson, Missouri and the Ozarks
• Ohio for Family and Fun Twice

As a business travelers, Mommy got to spend a week in fun Chicago and Daddy....well, Daddy traveled a lot this year and to very far away places.  India three times.  South Korea once.  California three times.  Seattle three times.  Mesa Arizona six times.  Dallas once.  New York once. And White Sands New Mexico once. Whoa....that Mommy...she is a saint for putting up with me and all this travel this year.  I love you Emmy...thank you for all you've sacrificed for me!

#2 Mommy and Daddy's Ten Year Anniversary Trip!!

A wonderful trip for Mommy and I to get away and see beautiful San Francisco and amazing Napa and Sonoma Valleys!!   And, we visited (and joined the wine club) our most favorite beverage place ever, Domaine Chandon!!  Love it!

#3 Mr. Aidan Matthew shows the world his talents!

• We started Aidan in Piano in January and by December (at his first recital), he was awesome!
• Aid started in First Grade and is doing exceptional!
• Mr. Sportsman he is.  Playing Soccer (both outside and inside) and T-Ball (and of course swimming like a fish at Old Hickory this past summer)

#4  Mr. Ethan becomes Mr. Fun!

• Ethan joins the Watermelon Room at his preschool and will graduate to kindergarten in just 5 short months!
• E too is a sports machine, playing soccer and T-ball (almost) :)
• And of course, summer time is "Ethan time" at Old Hickory, as he owned the pool this past summer!

#5 Making New Friends!

We made some great new friends this past year because of interactions from Aidan's school.  The Haas', Denny's, Jones', and many more have become mutual friends with our boys and their parents.  It's pretty cool to find some folks who have similarities with us that we can enjoy and have fun with!

Other Notables:
Amazing family pictures by a real photographer!
Awesome experiences viewing professional sports and entertainers:

• Seattle Sounders
• Columbus Crew
• Real Madrid and AC Milan
• St. Louis Cardinals
• St. Louis Ambush
• Matchbox Twenty (Twice!)
• Christina Perri and Jason Mraz

Lot's of hiking all over the place (Washington, Ohio, Missouri, Arkansas, California)

Huge Snow!  One of the largest storms STL had ever seen (over 18" at our house!)

And as of today.....a 98% finished basement...almost done! 

And lest we forget.....

We are wholly and completely thankful this year for the gifts of safety and health.  This year had two events that could have been catastrophic and life changing for us.  By the grace of God and the protection of the Holy Spirit, our family was saved from any peril.  The Harvester EF3 Tornado that damaged our home on May 31st and Mommy and Ethan's big accident that totaled our SUV in October spared us from any long term and debilitating change.  And we are so thankful for that.

OK, here you have it, the New Year's Tradition...pictures through the years, SEVEN years running now! Holy Moly!

2007....

2008....

2009....

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2010....

2011....

2012....

2013....

Happy New Year  Everyone.  Have a great 2014!

Tyler, Emmy, Aidan and Ethan