{A Look Back}

The last couple of months have been crazy! We've been so busy with our trip to Jerusalem, settling into our new house and all that moving entails (packing boxes, unpacking boxes, cleaning, organizing, decorating), and Christmas. If that wasn't enough for some crazy reason I decided to pick up a bunch of shifts at work through the month of December. Life has been hectic to say the least. It is finally slowing down however and we are enjoying the new year and looking forward to the wonderful possibilities that 2009 holds. As you may have noticed, I have not posted for awhile and so here it is, the mother of all posts!! A compilation of all that you have missed in the last 2 months and {a look back} at our 2008!! It was a year of fun and exciting changes for our little family!

{FAMILY HIGHLIGHTS}

We welcomed {Halle McKay} into our family on June 3rd. She has been the best little baby and we've had so much fun watching her grow.

We finished building {our first home} and spent our first night there on Dec. 13th. We wanted to be in before Christmas and made it just in the nick of time.

Greg and I enjoyed an amazing {trip to Jerusalem} with his family. It was an eye opening experience that neither one of us will soon forget.

We had a six hour lay over in New York, so we hopped on the Subway and took a ride to Time Square. It was a quick trip, long enough to eat a hot dog, buy a purse from a street vendor and snap a few pictures. We can't wait to go back!!

The Blue Bay Hotel in Netanya on the Mediterranean Sea.

Greg at Ceasarea

The family on our boat ride on the Sea of Galilee.

Greg getting a closer look at the rocks of Tel Dan.

Taking a big bite of falafel aka "feelawful"!

Yes I fed a camel a banana out of my mouth! Now that's a hidden talent!!

Greg taking a camel ride.

All of us at the River Jordan.

The Garden Tomb

The sign on the tomb door.

Me coming out of Lazarus' tomb.

The tram ride to Mesada

Taking a breather!

This is the road where they believe Christ carried his cross.

We walked where Jesus walked.

The Garden of Gethsemane

This olive tree is over 2000 years old.

Greg talking to the locals!

The city of Jerusalem

We celebrated our {5 year anniversary} on December 27th and also our 10 year "since we met" anniversary. Here we are 2 kids and a house later and still loving it! It's been an amazing ride!

"Loved you yesterday, love you still. Always have. Always will."

{PAYTON'S HIGHLIGHTS}

She became a {big sister} and has been doing a great job of helping us take care of Halle.

She got to dress up like a {princess} for Allison's wedding.

She took her first trip to {Build A Bear} where she made a cute little bunny that she named Katelyn.

She {turned four} and I can't believe how much she is growing up. She is 4 going on 20 and says the funniest things!!

She started taking {dance} and is loving it! I must admit I'm loving it too.