Our Year in Review

I wanted to write this on New Years Day, but time got away from me. So, here we are 1 week into the new year but I still wanted to look back on 2008! It was the most amazing year and when I look at all our adventures, achievements and experiences I know how truly blessed we are. So, as a final good bye to 2008 here is a look back on our year! (Hope you can make it to the end!)

The Anderson Family Year in Review!!

January:

We greeted 2008 with a New Years Day snow. It was so beautiful and we spent the entire day outside playing, shoveling, sledding, and visiting with friends. It was the perfect start to the new year and the boys loved it!!

The boys on our street as Daddy pulled them in the sled!

February:

We took the most amazing trip on Jack's Winter Break from school. It was our holiday in Garmisch, Germany. We visited 5 countries in 8 days and had the time of our lives. We even had two of our Marines join us for the second half of the trip -- and I think I can speak for all of us that it was a holiday of a life time!!!
Us at the highest point of the German Alps -- The Zugspitze!

At the Hofbrauhaus in Munich, Germany

March:

We celebrated Easter in Berlin. It was cold, and we hunted Easter eggs while it snowed, but the city was beautiful and we loved seeing the giant Easter eggs at Potsdamer Platz!

April:

Grammy and Pops came to Germany!! It was the most wonderful surprise for Jack and we had a great time showing them the city we called home! We traveled all over Germany and even took day trips to Austria and Poland!

All of us in Salzburg, Austria

Grammy and Pops with their two favorite boys on the streets of Berlin!

May:

Springtime came to Berlin and it was beautiful! Jack played t-ball and loved being on the field every Saturday morning with his team the Tigers! Kevin and his Marines also had the honor of opening our new embassy in Berlin and it was a thrill for all of us to watch our flag be raised at such a historical site!

Jack on the T-Ball field!

The raising of the flag at our new Embassy in Berlin!

June:

Jack had a great time at his school's Sports Day. The weather was perfect, and it was a great day for all of us. Jack enjoyed competing for his house -- Go EMERALD!! -- and we enjoyed watching him!

Jack at Sports Day!

July:

Summer had come to Berlin and we were in the mood to celebrate! We had the honor of meeting Col Gail Halvorsen "The Candy Bomber!". What an awesome experience it was. The boys got a book about Col Halvorsen and his mission in Berlin signed and got to talk to this wonderful man who played a roll in not only America's history but Berlin's as well!!! Also, in July we got to attend "Billy No Buzz!", the school play put on by the kids at Lower School. Jack was a narrator and did the most fantastic job. The kids were wonderful and all enjoyed the production very much!!! We also celebrated our countries birthday and our sweet Nick turned 2 with a party with all his little friends!

My boys with Col Gail Halvorsen on the 4th of July in Berlin!

"Billy No Buzz!"

August:

A sad month, because it was time to leave our home in Berlin and move back to the USA. Saying good bye to our European home, our wonderful friends, and life in Germany was very hard for all of us! We all miss Berlin very much and think about our friends everyday!

The boys at the Volksfest in Berlin!

Our family at the Bradenburg Gate!

September:

Back in the USA and now living in California it was time to get back to normal after a summer of fun, travels and visiting family. The biggest event was the start of school. Our Jack started 1st grade in September at Sessions Elementary School. He loves it and is doing great!

Jack's first day in 1st grade!

October:

Gosh, so much happened in October! We celebrated Jack's 6th birthday and went to Sea World for his special day. We also were finally offered a house and got the keys in October! We took the boys to the Miramar Air Show and oh my gosh, did they ever love that. They are still talking about the "Blue Angels"!!!

Our California home!

My boys coming off a CH-46 at the Miramar Air Show!

November:

We spent our Saturdays on the soccer field with Jack's soccer team, the Sharks! He loved playing the game and we all loved watching and supporting his team. We celebrated Kevin's birthday with a trip to the Wild Animal Park -- a day of fun for all of us!

Jack on the soccer field at Miramar!

The boys at the Wild Animal Park on Kevin's birthday!

December:

We celebrated Christmas in our new home with our boys. The perfect way to spend Christmas! The boys had a wonderful day and we enjoyed the season and time together as a family!

The boys on Christmas morning!

Finally, the end of 2008!! (Thank you to all of you that made it to the end with me, bet you never thought we would get here.) I had a great time looking back on 2008 and it was hard to pick out the highlights. There were so many wonderful things about last year for us. So, many visitors came to Berlin to see us, we made the most wonderful friends in the world, we got to travel and make some lifetime dreams come true!! Simply put, it was amazing!! Now here we are -- 2009 -- and we look forward to what the new year will bring! We hope that you all had a wonderful and happy new year!!!

One more thing before I go! I want to say a big "thank you" to my sister for her shout out to my new blog on her site. http://www.crazymarbles.blogspot.com/. And a very warm welcome to all of her friends that have "stopped by" and said hello!! It means a lot -- thanks!

Until next time..............

love from San Diego