Looking back at 2009

January brought our annual birthday celebrations in Milwaukee. This year Tizita joined us and added to the fun time! There was Build a bear, martini drinking, and Mexican food. All in all, a great time!

Our sweet little Valentine in February. No need to say anything more!

In March, we spent a weekend up in Door County with Courtney, Paul and Tizita. The weather was absolutely gorgeous for hiking and exploring the beautiful parks. We always enjoy our time spent in Door County, no matter what season.

April brought Easter. We celebrated with our precious little Tizita and the rest of the family. There was a new twist on the Easter hunt, not sure everyone enjoyed it though, back to the drawing board for next year, I guess.

May, Memorial Day, brought the beginning of our biking season with an overnight in Two Rivers. We biked our favorite two trails. The weather was rainy and cool, but we had a great time.

June found us in our favorite spot on earth-St. George Island, Florida. Here we are on our front porch ready to enjoy another day in paradise. On this sub zero day, I sure do miss, you, St. George!

And of course, the 4th of July! My dad's favorite holiday and we like to remember him as we celebrate each year. Here we are waiting for the infamous parade to begin. The parade is always followed by brats, some swimming, a musical production with me as the star, and the fireworks! Perfect way to say, "Happy Birthday, America!"

In August, John and I chose an unseasonably cool (actually cold) weekend to visit Mackinac Island. It had been years since we had been there and it was fun to bike around the Island and see all the familiar haunts which seem to have been frozen in time. After time on the Island we met up with The Van Aukens and rode the S. S. Badger across Lake Michigan. A fun way to end the summer.

The highlight of September was having Tizita start Preschool in my classroom. What a thrill to be her first teacher and watch her learn, grow, and have fun with little friends! As I recall, she was a bit of a spitfire this first day, but she has really settled in and is doing great.

October, Halloween fun in Oshkosh dressed as the Elmo family! I don't like Halloween in general, but I did enjoy spending it with Tizita dressed as Elmo. Oshkosh did a great job of putting on a Trick or Treating event with downtown merchants participating. I wonder what kind of a family we can be next year!

In November, we took Tizita to downtown Watertown to partake in their pre Christmas activities. We made an ornament and a snowman plus too a ride on this carriage pulled by horses. We watched the Christmas parade that evening. Alissa really enjoyed that parade! This is an annual event and I hope we can enjoy it again in years to come.

And rounding out the year in December, John's Mardi Gras Christmas party. What a highlight that event was! Gotta love Realtime Electric!

So, all in all, a very good year with lots of highlights and great memories. Still I was not sad to see it go because I know 2010 will have many surprises for us, too.