Where has the 2008 year gone?

Where has this year gone? This is the question I asked myself this morning while glancing at my calendar. It has certainly been an amazing year. The first week of 2008 is somewhat of a blur with anxiety regarding Gabby's surgery, but on January 8th her little baby heart was repaired and the rest of the year has been full of excitement and adventure.

For Gavin it was a year of new beginnings.... Kindergarten, soccer, and Taekwondo. For Zach 2008 was a year of growth and maturity. It's amazing the difference a year can make at his age! Finally, for Gabby, 2008 has been a year of healing and persistence. She's meeting (and exceeding) her milestones and healthy as can be! As a side note the results of her recent procedure to assess her pulmonary arteries were within reasonable limits.

We have some fun plans to ring in the new year and we're looking forward to the year ahead. We wish you all a blessed 2009!

Since a post really isn't a post without at least a few pictures, here are a few pictures from recent weeks. I hope to add a Christmas post soon.

Gabby has now taken claim to the motorcycle.

The boys having a sack race through the house....

burning off some energy after a rainy day stuck inside.

Zachary showing off Mommy's new rain boots.

My little artists....

Not to be left out.... Gabby always has to pull up a chair.

A test of my patience and other recent happenings...

This is one of several attempts yesterday to capture all three kids smiling simultaneously for a Christmas Card.

Let's just say it never happened, but the tourists on the beach were likely very entertained by my efforts.

Fortunately we managed to capture a few "so-so" photos and a few sweet moments, but I think it took every ounce of patience I had.

(These aren't the pictures, but I'll be mailing my cards out in the next few days. I'm still deciding whether I have the energy to throw together a Christmas letter.)

This past weekend Gavin earned his Orange belt in Tae Kwon Do.

We also attended the local Christmas parade this year.

For the last few years we've been on a float with my MOPS group, but now that the kids have seen it from the sidelines, they've decided they would rather have candy and beads thrown their way instead.

Gavin fell asleep in the van on the way home and Zachary had so much fun waking him up.

We took a trip to Jacksonville for a baby shower a week ago. We enjoyed time with Dad and with Jason's family and tried to see as many friends as possible, but it was such a quick trip.

The kids loved playing with Sophia and Simona's toys.

and I'm pretty certain what Santa will be bringing Gabby for Christmas!

Gabby had her 15 month check up last Tuesday and the following day we went to her early learning program. Gabby came across this stethescope and put it right around her neck then continued playing.

We thought it was pretty funny that she knew exactly where to put it, but then again she's seen more than her share of people wearing them.

Her outpatient procedure to assess her pumonary arteries is scheduled for December 22nd.

It's just a minor diagnostic procedure, but please pray for perfect results.

She's becoming such a big girl.....

Painting

Waiting for her brother to get off the bus....

and climbing up onto everything.

It's going to be a busy few weeks so I probably won't be updating as often.

However, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas season!