Goodbye 2008... hello 2009!

2008 was a very eventful year for us. Not only was this the year when we really discovered all of Jack's food allergies but it was also Ryan's 1st full year at Foothill Ranch Elementary School.

We did a lot of local travel and saw family and friends. We postponed most of the out of state travels due to Jack's schedule. We have stayed in San Diego and Los Angeles and rediscovered all the wonderful children's museums in our area. We reallly took advantage of our annual passport to Disneyland and California Adventure. We also celebrated mom and dad's 10 year wedding anniversary with a stay at Coronado Island. We flew (jack's first time) to the bay area twice this year with Lola and met cousins and friends too.

Ryan finished 2nd grade with straight As and loved Mrs. Brouwer's class. We spent the summer hanging out at home because Ryan was busy with his swimming, piano, basketball, baseball and vacation bible school. Ryan was also in Project Rescue, his 2nd grade play about rescuing the planet where he played a parrot. This fall, he started 3rd grade with Mrs. Potter and so far, he's been improving both in his work habits and maturity. Ryan turned 8 this year with a bowling party with some friends and we all had a blast. He is still in the chess club, enjoys his piano lessons and now focusing on Destination Imagination.

Jack was busier in 2008 with the increase of his therapy hours. He now goes to ABA intensive therapy every day for 2 1/2 hours in addition to the 4 hours of occupational therapy and physical therapy. All his hard work is paying off because he's been talking a lot, understanding more and walking too! He also loves playing with his therapists so it's never like work for him when he goes there. We had a quiet 2nd birthday for him at Disneyland, the boys alternate years for birthday parties. This fall, he started a group therapy class sort of like a preschool class with circle time and snack time. We are really careful with the snack time because he is allergic to most of the kids' snacks.

We made a trip to Fresno for Thanksgiving and Lolo Joe's birthday and the boys met their nephew, Joziah for the first time! Jack loved it because he has a playmate in the Millares clan (we lack kids there). For christmas, we stayed home and our family came over to spend it with us.

2009 will a be an even more exciting year for all of us.. we can't wait!