We started a Family Blog this year with the intention of being able to keep everyone up to date on our Family life...and on stuff we find to be cute or interesting :) It was also started in hopes of helping us be more "green and eco-friendly" with our annual Holiday newsletters... I think I've back blogged to about June so a quick summary of this past year (then you can go on and check out the rest of the Blog!):
Our highlights this year included our trips of course, but also our Backyard project and the growth of the kids who amaze us each and every day! We spent the beginning of the year mostly at home, getting back into the swing of things after LAST CHRISTMAS... and celebrating Tet with the Trinhs in Sacramento.
Spring was busy between the kids activities and Mark's travels. In March, Adam turned 2 and we took the kids to Tahoe for their 1st real experience with Snow... Maddie tried skiing with her Dad, and well, Mark will leave it to the professionals for her next lesson. Adam was content hanging out and playing with the snowbanks by the Lodge with Mommy. We went to Chicago in April and were able to spend some time with Mary and the Zochs. The kids loved the Navy Pier, Children's Museum and even on a rather cold, wet and "brisk" day, the Lincoln Park Zoo. Yes, we now know what the "lake effect" is..and go figure, it was on the one yucky day we were there and Mark had the day off! Maddie had her 1st ballet recital in May, complete with matching outfits and accessories. All the girls were so adorable!
Our summer kicked off with our idea of putting in a new backyard for the kids..FINALLY after 5 years! We were able to attend graduations and promotions for Kevin, Eric and Kaitlyn. It made us feel old that these kids were heading off to college, high school and middle school already! In July, Mark was home for about a week :) He went to Dublin for work, then we flew to Colorado for NaNa's 70th Birthday. We surprised Mark with a cruise to Mexico for his birthday the following week...it was a great time with the Trieus! Then we came home to a beautifully landscaped backyard! It was a longer than anticipated project (and yes, we were warned by numerous people that these projects always are!). But after the playset was up and Daddy had the final screw in, the kids could not have been happier and it just made the frustrations and financial investment all worth it...who knew our backyard would end up being "green" as well...literally and figuratively with our "carpet grass" :P
Fall saw Maddie heading back to Pre-school for the 2nd year. She LOVES school. Ong and Ba (aka Grandpa and Grandma Trinh) came and babysat/played with the brats for 2 weeks while Mommy and Daddy vacationed in Europe. We still aren't sure who was happier to see us upon our return, the kids or the grandparents??? Halloween was definitely a chance for us to see Adam really grow and change. He chose his own costume and was NOT afraid of asking for candy! And he talks practically non stop...with a "twang" which we aren't sure where he picked up from???
Winter is upon us once again. How time flies...Maddie turned 5 and well, she's got "spunk", "personality", and definite SASS! Adam has been so good letting Sissy have the spotlight since it's been ALL about Sissy the last few weeks. He just says he's not a big boy yet, but rather a little boy growing bigger :) Probably has more to do with the fact he does not want to leave our room or go to school.
We hope you check in often and feel free to email/leave comments! We love to hear from everyone but we know how hard it is with busy lives that we don't always get to catch up when we want to...so our wish for you this holiday season:
Have a very Merry Christmas, and a safe, healthy and prosperous 2009!!
