2008 A Year In Review...

Or is that rear view? I think it works either way!

Can you believe that 2009 is hot on our tails? How can it be that 2008 is almost over already. I feel like it was just a month or two ago when the kids were playing in the sprinklers in the backyard in the HOT, HOT sun. I remember thinking at the time about how I was looking forward to the cold, now I am back to looking forward to the warm again.

This year has been one of ups and downs for various Schmalz's. Overall though, I think we had more ups than downs. The kids have been pretty busy all year long, so in turn, I have been pretty busy being the chauffeur and professional time organizer.

Gavin has successfully managed to get through the first half of 7th grade. He also has taken on the trumpet this year and has gotten quite good. He loves any kind of art, drawing and painting are definitely one of his talents.

Sophie has been a busy little babysitter and she really loves the little neighbor kids that she gets to watch. She also has started back up with her piano lessons, and she just had her very first piano recital a couple of weeks ago.

Gray is still loving being in his Spanish Immersion class. They just had a Christmas concert at the mall a couple of weeks ago which was very enjoyable, aside from the crowds of people, and all the noise, it was awesome. He is also really excited for his Arsenal soccer team that is starting back up and he has his first indoor game this Saturday. More Chauffeuring for me though. He is also trying his hand at piano lessons with Sophie, and we also got to watch him at the piano recital.

Delanie is the queen of preschool. I wish I could say that she loves it, but I can't. She is always looking for an excuse to stay home and when she wakes up everyday, she asks if today is preschool in a very whiny voice. She did love it at the beginning of the year until a little boy threw up all over the snack table at school. I think it freaked her out to the point of utter and total fear that she will have to witness that again, so she would just rather stay home.

Gentry is starting up with his speech therapy at the kids elementary school next week. I am so excited that we don't have to drive to Orem anymore, you have no idea. He will be going every Wednesday afternoon. I am a little nervous about the time though, It's right during nap time, even though he doesn't always take a nap, he still gets really grumpy and I hope he cooperates. Cross your fingers for us.

The family had a blast with little get aways this year. We loved our impromptu trip to Bryce Canyon and our Schmalz family trip up to Park City. We also got to go up the the Gorge for our annual Labor Day trip that is always a highlight. We ended the year with a bang with our Disneyland trip and loved every minute of being together as a family and also enjoying Grandma and Grandpa and Kimmie's company.

Thanks 2008 for being so good to us.

Looking ahead to 2009.

We are going to get the basement ALL finished, well, at least livable!

We are going to finally get a way to go enjoy our back yard. When the builder built our house, they only gave us this teeny tiny enclosed deck off our back door, and for the past three years in order to go into the back yard you have to walk aaaallll the way around the house. 2009 is the year we get to just walk out the back door!

2009 is the year we are going to get organized. With the basement in shambles I am looking forward to unpacking the last of the boxes and getting things put where they belong...including kids!

2009 is the year that I get skinny. I always say this don't I? Well, I'm SERIOUS this time ;) my little Wii me is my motivation, that chubby little thing!

These are just a few of the goals to look forward to. I'll keep you posted on our progress.

Happy New Year to all. Hope all YOUR dreams come true in 2009!