Favorite things of '08

2008 was one of the fastest years on record for us.  Although a lot happened, the year seems to have gone fast.    Becky added to her movie credits with Kung Fu Panda, and continues to enjoy work.  We've lost track of how many soccer leagues she plays in, but she chose to twist her ankle while passing the ball around for fun with Carrie.  She was out for weeks.

We spent the bulk of our summer remodeling the house and the work is finally over.  We're completely broke, but very happy with the end results.  The kids get to share their new bathroom, and we're enjoying a lot of little touches throughout the house.  We've not really had a chance to enjoy the outside bar & patio since construction didn't finish until Fall, but we had a few small parties to break it in.

At the end of the summer JR broke-in his new road bike and completed his first full triathlon in Malibu.  He had done practice tris before, but never competed officially. "It was a blast", and he brough home a 4th-place medal.  Don't tell anyone it was for the 'clydesdales' category (that's for men over 185 lbs. - I think).

JR has taken a new role at work that includes toys & electronics, and is enjoying the prospects & possibilities so far despite the global macro-economic circumstances.  His recent work trip to Brazil was great.  Beside work he was able to visit friends & family and reacquaint himself with 'caipirinhas' (rumor has it - a little too well).

This was a big year for Luca with the start of kindergarden.  He's learning to read and write.  He's on the letter 'O' now.  We expected a less rosy report from his teacher at the half-way mark, but Luca got a glowing report card from Ms. Price.  His best friends at school are Ryan, Madison, Lars, and Johny

Luca's favorite thing to do this past year was going to Sea World in San Diego and seeing the dolphin show.  He enjoyed going to the zoo as well and visiting the Panda exhibit.

Lucas' soccer team did well.  Like his sister, he seems to have a defensive mind-set on the field.  He'd rather dismantle the other team's plays than attack.  Luca was unbeatable 1-1 on the back field.  He says he enjoyed having dad coach.  But more than anything, he says he wants this blog to be over - "this is hard Daddy".

It was nice to have both Luca & Carrie at the same school - makes for a shorter commute for Becky & I.  Carrie can now read and write.  She's blossoming into an artist as well, and seems to enjoy drawing and coloring more than ever.  Carrie, or Carolina, as she seems to prefer now has a style all her own.  I like to call it PowerPuffEyes, but I don't know what she calls it.

Carrie's favorite things this year were Snowboarding for the first time at Big Bear, her Brownie's outings, and visiting the Lamorees/Wimbrows in Knoxville over the summer, where she got to play with her cousin Lexee and learned to fish from Nanny & Pop-pop.