A 2009 Year in Review

Last year, I decided to stop printing tons of digital pictures. I print only my favorites and display them on our fridge. Don't get me wrong, it's nice having albums and albums full of photos. But, I rarely get them out and look through them. In fact, many of them are in my attic. I think Karson had at least six photo albums by the time she was three years old (and so on when the boys were born). I decided, instead, to create a yearly photo book from Snapfish. The books are small, compact, fairly inexpensive and don't take up any room on a coffee table. AND, I look at them all the time. Since I kept up with three different baby books, manage this blog, and buy Plano yearbooks, the photobooks are a nice touch to our photo enjoyment =). I titled the book "A 2009 Deaton Family Year in Review." This blog is somewhat similar to what was in the book.

Here is our 2009 Deaton family year in review:

Isaac celebrated his 4th birthday with family and friends with a Hulk theme at Chuck E. Cheese's in January. He's the life of the party and never has a bad day. He played baseball in the spring for the Sidewinders with his best bud Mason. Isaac never seemed interested in playing but when he received his trophy at the end of the year, he could hardly wait to play again next year. He started his 4 year old preschool year at Greenwood Park EEP with Ms. Denise as his teacher. I was ECSTATIC that Denise returned. She is such a fabulous person and excellent teacher. Isaac is lucky to have her. Isaac has also become a fish this year swimming all over the place. He also started going underwater with googles. We joke that he needs to be adopted by Save the Children because he's so doggone skinny. Food is the last thing on his mind, but boogers are a healthy meal replacement =). Some of his favorite things are: LEGOS, playing Wii games, arts/crafts of any kind, and puzzles.

Miles celebrated his 3rd birthday with family and friends at McDonald's in October. He wasn't the least bit interested in anything that day but made the most of it. He's the kind of kid that just rolls with the punches. I know it can't be easy always tagging along to the next "older sibling" activity, but he happily goes. He and his brother are two peas in a pod. They got bunk beds this year and are enjoying them. Miles love dressing up and equally loves being in his underwear. We call he and Isaac the underwear brothers. Miles also loves being outside and would never come in if given the choice. He blows bubbles, rides his jeep, plays with his army guys, jumps on the trampoline, etc., etc. I'm looking forward to seeing him at EEP next year and how he interacts with his own peer group.

Karson celebrated her 7th birthday at OpryMills with me, my mom, aunt Shannon and cousin Elizabeth. We took her to Build-a-Bear where she assembled Autumn Hugs bear. Afterwards, we went to Rain Forest Cafe and then to Claire's. Karson talks about that trip all the time and how she can't wait to go again next year. I'm guessing that will become a yearly event =). She began 1st grade at Plano with Ms. Kolzow as her teacher. She continues to excel and amaze her teachers. She again qualified for the Primary Talent Pool and is taking the highest level classes among her peers. (I know I'm sounding braggy, but I sure am proud of her) She was able to participate in WKU's Super Saturday fall classes for the gifted. She took a class titled "Molding Magic with Monsters". We would have enrolled her in the winter term but chose to play basketball instead. I am COACHING--ahhh. Our team is the Sparks, and our only goal is to have FUN!!! Karson is a great big sister and example for her brothers.

We gained a new sister-in-law in June. Laura Blackburn became part of our family marrying John. Karson was a flower girl and Isaac was a ring bearer. My sweet friend Angie loaned me a tuxedo for Miles. He failed his practice run at the rehearsal pelting Isaac in the head repeatedly with a pillow. However, he did find true love with Laura's niece Avery Buser.

We'll also be adding another sister-in-law next September. MacKenzie White will marry Andrew, and I get to be a bridesmaid. YEAH. It's been a long time since I've been in a wedding. I'm looking forward to getting all spiffed up.

Matt and I celebrated 10 years of marital bliss in June. I mean, seriously, has it been that long. I guess so, I have the stretch marks, saggy belly, and baggy eyes to prove it. Matt, on the other hand, looks as young and handsome as ever. We started dating in college and his youngest brother Ben was five years old. Ben's a high school graduate and celebrated his 18th birthday this summer. Time sure does go by fast. Matt's my best friend and I love sharing my life with him. We were able to get away for a five day trip to Gatlinburg. We stayed at Beyond Paradise Mountain Cabin, went to Ripley's Wax Museum, rode the sky lift, hiked the killer Rainbow Falls, shopped and did the Dixie Stampede. It was the perfect way to celebrate our 10th!

May was probably the biggest highlight of 2009. We took our first trip to Disney World. We stayed at the All-Star Music resort and went ALL OUT. We flew there, purchased the meal plan, visited all the parks, and survived the entire ordeal. When we returned to reality, I felt like I had a Disney hangover for two weeks. It was the most magical place, and we can't wait to go back some day.

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We were able to return to our favorite beach DESTIN in October. We love going there, especially in the fall. The weather is perfect, the beach is spectacular, and the crowd is slim. This was our first vacation sans extended family. Fortunately, some of our dear friends, the Owens's stayed at the same resort we did. It was nice having their company. AND, they were able to snap some great family photos to help us remember the trip!

That was our year in a very small nutshell. We're looking forward to making many more great memories in 2010. Love to all!!!