2008 was another year of new experiences and exciting events for our family. In total, we embarked on 3 trips. For Spring Break, we went to Ocean City to relax for a couple of days. Even though it was cool and windy, we enjoyed the relative quiet of the beach front.
Jonathan and Joshua are in the front seats to provide the needed manpower in propelling this family bike ride up and down the boardwalk. The long 2 mile ride must have been exhausting, but it was fun.
The beach is so awesome that everyone is jumping for joy. Megan is in the air. Our second trip was to North Carolina in the summer during Dad's business trip to San Diego. Jonathan had the opportunity to practice his driving with his new driving permit.
The warm sands of North Carolina must have felt very nice and comfortable. These kids are jumping for joy. Our third trip, we took with Grandma to Tennessee, Kentucky, and West Virginia.
Our trip in Tennessee began at the picturesque city of Gatlinsburg, the gateway into the Great Smoky National Park. Here we pose in front of the visitor center in Gatlinsburg.
We drove up to the parking area at the base of Clingman's Dome, the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
We are standing at the top of the tower on top of Clingman's Dome. From here, we can see a panoramic view of the whole park through the fog, of course.
The survivors who made it to Clingman's Dome pose at the base of the tower.
Our trip would not be complete without the awesome cloud maker, who magically breathes out beautiful clouds with a single puff.
After Tennessee, we visited the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln in Hodgenville, Kentucky. Megan proudly points to the entrance way of the replica of the log cabin in which Lincoln was born. The replica is in the same location as the original cabin.
Here, we were fortunate to call upon the home of our friends, the Fugal's also in Kentucky. Their gracious hospitality and warmth and friendliness made the trip the more enjoyable. Besides our trips, there were several notable events which occurred this year.
In January, we decided to cut down one of our two trees in the back yard.
Our good friend, Brian Johnson, volunteered his chain saw and expertise in climbing and sawing and cleaning up after the tree. This picture preserves one of the last moments of the tree before its final demise. Now the tree stands 5 feet tall.
One of the saddest moments of 2008 was the loss of our dear Toyota Echo. It served well for the short time it was with us. The memory of this prized vehicle will be forever enshrined in this precious photograph.
Megan has lost several teeth. She proudly shows off one of her original baby teeth.
Here is Melinda right before she receives the surprise 8th grade award, only given to 2 8th grade students.
Melinda graduated from John T. Baker Middle School. She stands proudly with her fellow graduate. Way to go, Melinda!
Jonathan finally graduates from Damascus High School. Here we bask in the glory of his accomplishments under a shaded tree.
At the beginning of summer, our lives were blessed with the opportunity to take care of Michelle. She brought a lot of smiles and cuteness to our home. In the summer, Jessica and Jonathan and Joshua all took on summer jobs. In August, Jessica and Jonathan flew to Utah for school. It was Jonathan's first semester at college. Megan started second grade, and Melinda started high school. Joshua is now the oldest child at home and is setting a good example for the younger sisters.
We had a great year this in 2008. Despite all the turmoil in the world, we have been greatly blessed in all aspects of life. We hope that 2009 will grant us more peace and happiness for our family and for yours.
Happy New Year!
Jonathan and Joshua are in the front seats to provide the needed manpower in propelling this family bike ride up and down the boardwalk. The long 2 mile ride must have been exhausting, but it was fun.
The beach is so awesome that everyone is jumping for joy. Megan is in the air. Our second trip was to North Carolina in the summer during Dad's business trip to San Diego. Jonathan had the opportunity to practice his driving with his new driving permit.
The warm sands of North Carolina must have felt very nice and comfortable. These kids are jumping for joy. Our third trip, we took with Grandma to Tennessee, Kentucky, and West Virginia.
Our trip in Tennessee began at the picturesque city of Gatlinsburg, the gateway into the Great Smoky National Park. Here we pose in front of the visitor center in Gatlinsburg.
We drove up to the parking area at the base of Clingman's Dome, the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
We are standing at the top of the tower on top of Clingman's Dome. From here, we can see a panoramic view of the whole park through the fog, of course.
The survivors who made it to Clingman's Dome pose at the base of the tower.
Our trip would not be complete without the awesome cloud maker, who magically breathes out beautiful clouds with a single puff.
After Tennessee, we visited the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln in Hodgenville, Kentucky. Megan proudly points to the entrance way of the replica of the log cabin in which Lincoln was born. The replica is in the same location as the original cabin.
Here, we were fortunate to call upon the home of our friends, the Fugal's also in Kentucky. Their gracious hospitality and warmth and friendliness made the trip the more enjoyable. Besides our trips, there were several notable events which occurred this year.
In January, we decided to cut down one of our two trees in the back yard.
Our good friend, Brian Johnson, volunteered his chain saw and expertise in climbing and sawing and cleaning up after the tree. This picture preserves one of the last moments of the tree before its final demise. Now the tree stands 5 feet tall.
One of the saddest moments of 2008 was the loss of our dear Toyota Echo. It served well for the short time it was with us. The memory of this prized vehicle will be forever enshrined in this precious photograph.
Megan has lost several teeth. She proudly shows off one of her original baby teeth.
Here is Melinda right before she receives the surprise 8th grade award, only given to 2 8th grade students.
Melinda graduated from John T. Baker Middle School. She stands proudly with her fellow graduate. Way to go, Melinda!
Jonathan finally graduates from Damascus High School. Here we bask in the glory of his accomplishments under a shaded tree.
At the beginning of summer, our lives were blessed with the opportunity to take care of Michelle. She brought a lot of smiles and cuteness to our home. In the summer, Jessica and Jonathan and Joshua all took on summer jobs. In August, Jessica and Jonathan flew to Utah for school. It was Jonathan's first semester at college. Megan started second grade, and Melinda started high school. Joshua is now the oldest child at home and is setting a good example for the younger sisters.We had a great year this in 2008. Despite all the turmoil in the world, we have been greatly blessed in all aspects of life. We hope that 2009 will grant us more peace and happiness for our family and for yours.
Happy New Year!
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