And as a special treat for those of you who care, at the end of this spill, you'll find a slideshow! I'm very proud of this slideshow, not only because we did everything in it within these 12 months, but it's my very first slideshow. I hope it turns out right!
Here's the breakdown.
February -
We went along on one of my Dad's business trips, this time to Corpus Christi, TX. While we were there, we happened to meet Jerry Mathers, AKA The Beaver.
While we were there, we also got the opportunity to attend a Hillary Clinton political rally. I may not agree with her views, but she WAS a First Lady (and I LOVE politics, if I haven't already told you), so we went, and I got to shake her hand! I washed it quickly afterwards though... it was burning.
Also, for those of you who haven't seen her in person, she doesn't look as scary as she does on TV.
May -
The family took it's annual vacation, this year to sunny Southern California! I'd never been before, so now seemed a perfect opportunity. We went to Disneyland, The Hollywood Bowl, The Ronald Reagan Presidential Museum, The Richard Nixon Presidential Museum, MCRD, Camp Pendleton, and The Queen Mary, among other things. (Those were just the highlights!)
August -
I got to see Paul McCartney (time #4!!!) as he passed through Amarillo, and honestly, I haven't been that excited since the LAST time I saw Paul.
My little family also took a fabulous weekend to Colorado Springs, CO, where we went to Manitou Springs (a favorite stop for as long as I can remember), Hammonds Candy Factory Tour (which has changed quite a bit since we last took it), went through Miramont Castle (again, a first for me), and went through the Byers-Evans House (a first for all of us), among other little fun stops along the way.
*A side note on the picture of the bear...
We were actually that close to this bear up in Helen Hunt Falls. No zoom involved, we were just that close. Fortunately, we were in the car, unlike some of the campers this feller terrorized. A word to the wise... DON'T BBQ IN HELEN HUNT FALLS. There be BEARS in them there woods.
September -
The last weekend of the month, we decided it was time for a little fall foliage, so we took another trip up to Colorado. We just so happened to pick the right time to go. The locals said they couldn't remember a more beautiful autumn... how lucky it was we were there! It has now become a tradition, and we're already planning on next year's trip.
October -
The family tagged along again as Dad went for another business meeting, this time to our state's capitol, Austin. I love going to Austin, this time was no exception, especially since we got to take the newest addition to our family, little Stella, along for the ride! She especially loved the detour we made to the Devil's Watering Hole (again, a family first).
November -
Ahhh, autumn. The air is crisp, Summer is long gone, and Thanksgiving is on the horizon. Fortunately, my family never holds Thanksgiving on Thanksgiving Day (usually the day before), but we held it earlier than usual, because this year, we went to Las Vegas! (Not to be confused with Las Vegas, New Mexico... ewww.)
It was the first time my mother and I had seen LOVE, The Beatles and Cirque Du Soleil's smash hit at the Mirage (and it won't be the last, either!), and we did our favorite touristy things, as well as some new stops in between.
Toward the end of our Vegas getaway, I broke down and read the Twilight Saga, and I must say, Ginger's post about it was pretty spot on... how can you KEEP from falling in love with Edward?? I'm sorry to say that this has raised the bar for human lads, and I would like to suggest that these books be mandatory reading for blokes everywhere... maybe they could learn something from Mr. Cullen. ;-)
So, we have survived another Christmas without killing any innocent bystanders, lived to tell the tale, and are breathing (hopefully) as the clock strikes midnight.
This has been a very good year (much better than 2007), and I hope 2009 is even BETTER.
P.S. To my sister... YES, I UPDATED MY BLOG. (And I made it extra long, just for you. <3
