A Brand New Year

Last night as we prepared to say goodbye to 2015 the kids and I reflected on all that happened to us during this past year and we couldn't help but notice the overwhelming good year we'd had. It really was one of our best as a family. After reminiscing about all of the trips and fun times and adventures we'd had in one short year the kids were reluctant to say goodbye. And, I admit, I was as well.  

In 2015 we:

-Took a road trip to Florida and visited Disney, Legoland, Universal, and Cocoa Beach where the      kids swam in the ocean for the first time.

-Took a trip to Oklahoma to visit dear friends and swim and play and do some sight seeing.

-We took many trips up north for hunting, fishing, swimming, skiing, hiking, playing, and relaxing.

-Grace transferred back to her beloved school to finish out the school year and then started full time  for 1st grade  this school year.

-Ben had his First Reconciliation and First Communion.

-Tommy had his 10th birthday at a water park.

-Grace learned to ride her bike.

-Joey won the Coach's Award for basketball and got on the honor roll for the first time.

-Ben went to Boy Scout camp for the first time.

-Joey, Tommy, and I were in a musical together for the first time and Joey had a lead.

-Grace had her first ballet recital.

-Todd took an amazing fishing trip in Canada.

-Tommy went to deer camp for the first time and Joey got his first buck.

-Ben excelled in baseball and hit his first grand slam.

-I beat my personal best in a 10K and ran a 5K color run as I'd always wanted.

-Todd and I went to a Packer game with our best friends.

That is quite a list. And that isn't even mentioning the small adventures we had along the way like Bay Beach, or the zoo, or all the times we went swimming or biking. There was an amazing blood moon eclipse! There were football games and baseball games and basketball games. There were fun birthdays, and Easter, the 4th of July, and Halloween. There were bonfires and movies and water fights and hot air balloon shows and bike rides and day trips. And Christmas! Oh what a Christmas! We didn't have any major illnesses (or even minor, now that I'm thinking about it) this past year. We cried far less than we laughed. Of course there were some tough times but somehow we can't recall those quite as easily as the good times. And man. It was just an amazing year. 

A lucky year. 

One that will be difficult to duplicate or compete with.

And it is difficult to say goodbye. 

We may be reluctant to let go of 2015 but we are hopeful for 2016.

Wishing you and your loved ones a 2016 that you will always treasure. The kind of year you don't want to end. Wishing you a happy, healthy, peaceful, joy-filled 2016.