What a year old and new

I have been contemplating the year past and thinking of what lies ahead for 2009.  I really do wish I had a crystal ball for this year to come, but I am content to look ahead and not look back.  Not going to lie, 2008 was a hard year, at best.  With Shane's accident, my mom's health issues, family issues and business issues, I guess one could say that I have plenty of issues!!   So the best advice I have given myself is to take one issue at a time and not to stress over the many things that I have no control over.   Let's see if I take my own advice...

 I do know that I would  have had the strength to deal with all that stuff without a few people....My Savior, my family, my friends, my faith, and my ward family.  Thank you one and all, you make me a better person!  Our family motto for this coming year is "It will be fine in 2009" and I truly hope that our trials will be a little less this year.

 We continued our New Years Day tradition of a crab leg feast.  This is the third year that we have done this and I have to say this was the most fun yet.  We decided  to carry on the tradition another year and to add personalized bibs and a mallet for all that dine.   The food was tremendous and let's just say there was lots of it. 

 can't believe that we ate 14 lbs of crab....it wasn't just me, but there were 13 others.  

 to top the night off , Jackson and cousins even did the dishes.  I am truly loved!!!   

But I would have to say that for the kids the most exciting part of the new year was being able to pick up our newest family member.  Scout came home Jan. 3rd and 

 just say that the kids have been home more than I expected.  She is a German Shorthair Pointer and is 7 weeks old.  Scout is actually a Christmas gift for Shane.  We thought with the year he had, there was no need to continue putting it off for the right time.  We thought the right time was now.... although, I have forgotten the sleepless nights and potty training.  She will be a great addition to our family and will be a great hunting companion for Shane, Jackson and someday Jake.

And lets face it, the photo ops will be great.  So we have joined the ranks of being an owner of dogs not a dog.  So hopefully Jenna will play nice with Scout.  But Jake says, "she is the cutest darn thing, even though she bites sometimes".