What a year! It is hard to believe that 2009 is almost over!

I am happy to say I have finished another year of daycare. Three of my babies turned 2 this year (they are not babies anymore). Ellie and Keegan are pretty much potty trained (yeah!!!). I have to remind myself that Tucker is 6 mos. younger than Ellie and Keegan and he’ll be potty trained soon. I also started watching my friend Zoe’s little boy, Mason.  I also have 2 kindergarteners and Evan. They keep me busy.  The daycare has been great for me. It allows me to get Abbie ready for school and be home when she is done. I love hearing about her day!

As for Abbie, she finished kindergarten like a pro. She had 3’s and masters in all her work. She started 1^st grade in August and loves going all day. Mommy was a little sad at first but Abbie is happy to be a big kid. She is reading above a 1^st grade level. We started spelling words this year. I made a deal with her if she got a 100% for four weeks in a row she could pick a restaurant for dinner. The first 3 weeks were pretty easy. She had the words on Monday and was ready for the test on Monday night. This last week she was ready on Tuesday.

She is very proud that she lost a total of 5 teeth this year and I am sure there are more to come.

Robert is busy, busy, busy. School is almost out (YEAH!!) He graduates on December 18^th with a nursing degree. I can’t believe it has been 3 ½ years since Robert left Micron to go back to school. I am glad he (we) decided to try something new. He is much happier and seems to enjoy his job as a Nurse Apprentice. I hope it will be even better when he is an RN.

As a family we also have been busy, busy, busy. In May Abbie, Brandi, and Grandma went to see Taylor Swift. Abbie loved every minute of it. Grandma was very impressed with all the words Abbie knew to the songs. It was a great first paid concert for Abbie.

Robert’s summer work schedule allowed him to take week-long stretches off of work. He had 9 days off in a row in June so we remodeled the kitchen countertops and backsplash.  At the end of the week it really looked like a professional did it!

Also in June we went to the Oregon Coast with grandma. In seven days we saw the Portland zoo, visited with Brett and Stacy and the boys in Salem and at the aquarium in Newport, and camped for three nights at campgrounds along the beach. We played in the ocean and just loved every moment. It was sunny and warm all week while it rained the whole time in Boise.

In July we had to replace our A/C and heater unit.  That was stressful. It is a big decision to make in a couple days time. Also in July we went to a beautiful wedding for Robert’s nephew, Matt, and his beautiful wife, KT. We were happy we were able to make it. It was a mini family reunion.

In August Abbie and I took on a new adventure thanks to our friends Matt and Kim.  We went on a 12-mile hike.  We laughed, we cried, we hurt, but mostly we smiled. It was a get adventure and I hope to do another one but we need to make sure Robert doesn’t have to work next time.

We missed the Oregon coast so much that Robert and I went back in September. This time it was adults only. We went with 10 other friends from Robert’s work. It was a week of shopping, relaxing, walks on the beach, and partying at the beach house. A couple people got stuck with Oregon’s speeding tickets and we got a flat tire. But overall it was a blast! Next trip is to Las Vegas in May!

BSU beat the PAC-10 champions Oregon 19-8. The Broncos finished the season 13-0 and will be playing in the Fiesta Bowl in Arizona on January 4^th. Robert and I will be there cheering them on in the stands as a graduation present for Robert.  And yes, the Vandals still suck!

There isn’t much going on in December except for

ROBERT’S GRADUATION!!!!!

On December 18^th Robert is graduating from Boise State’s nursing program and will have his licenses by the middle of January. YEAH!!!!!!  We are so proud of him and his determination and go get it attitude.

So now the next chapter of our lives has started. We are happy to say we started the adoption process to add a new member of the family. We will keep everyone posted. It will take time to get the process going so please keep us in your thoughts!!

I hope the next year brings everyone all their hopes and dreams. Just keep swimming!!

The Whitakers

Robert, Brandi, and Abbie

http://robert.whitakerfamily.org

http://brandi.whitakerfamily.org

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