I thought I would give a 2008 year in review since I started the blog late in the year. So here is the Best of 2008 with the Elliott's.
Ten years of wedded bliss! Travis and I celebrated our tenth wedding anniversary this year. My has the time flown by. We decided to take a trip to Chicago for a few days by ourselves. We enjoyed it thoroughly. We went to the Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum, Sears Tower, Navy Pier, Soldier Field and Wrigley Field. Travis also took me to the musical
Wicked. I absolutely loved it and it showed Travis's true love to endure a muscial. We ate at wonderful restaurants and of course did some shopping. We went to the American Girl store for Madeline. I think she could spend an entire vacation there! We made our way using the "El" and became old pros by the time we left. We thought our celebration would end there. While in Chicago, Travis got a phone call from his boss saying he would have to attend a conference in August. He didn't want to go alone so he dragged me along to fabulous Las Vegas. Who could say no? We had been to Vegas before so I used the time as relaxation. While he attended sessions at the conference I spent my time by the pool. We did take in the nightlife. We went to a couple of shows. Our favorite was a Cirque du Soleil show titled KA. Neither of us are big gamblers but we did play the slots and Travis learned roulette. Madeline and Kyler spent both vacations with their grandparents.
Madeline is now in 2nd grade. She loves her teacher and is doing well in all subjects. She is quite a writer these days. She tells us that when she is older she wants to be an author and illustrator. Let's hope she has bestsellers! She is also very active. This is her 5th year in dance. She is excited because at the end of the year she will receive a trophy for five years completed. She is also in Girl Scouts, plays YMCA basketball, and city rec baseball in the summer. She decided this year she wanted to add piano lessons to her busy schedule. I couldn't get her into formal lessons so I am teaching her. She is doing pretty well. She has played in church and also at the elementary school holiday program.
Kyler will be turning two in February. He is a very active toddler. We can hardly keep up with him. He has a fabulous vocabulary. He is putting words together into sentences and we can understand more and more each day. He loves his daycare and everyday tells me that the other kids bit him but he doesn't bite. He got bitten once by a kid there so now he thinks it happens all the time. In August we made our first trip to the emergency room. He walked in front of Madeline when she was swinging and she kicked him. His head split open and they had to glue it shut. It didn't slow him down though as a couple of days later he drove his four wheeler down the stairs. He laughed the whole way down! He loves farm equipment, mowers, trucks, basically anything on wheels. He also loves football and when asks says he will play for the Green Bay Packers. His dad only hopes!
Unfortunately some bad things happened in 2008 as well. Probably the worst was the tornado that destroyed over half of Chapman including all three schools and the church we attend. Fortunately we did not sustain any damage. We spent many hours cleaning out schools, our church and friends' homes. School started on time in August and we will be in mobile units until our new school is built. Our small community pulled together in the time of tragedy. In November ABC Extreme Makeover: Home Edition came to town and built a home for a family. They also did several smaller projects around the community. Travis and I volunteered. The episode is scheduled to air January 25th. Chapman was overwhelmed with so many people both after the tornado and during the makeover show. We truly are thankful for all those that volunteered to help our community.
Our family is looking forward to 2009!
