2008: A Year in Review

We’d like to give you a brief overview of what we've each been into this year:

David (Dad) has just reached the 2-year milestone of employment at Cliffstar Corporation (a juice plant). On the side, he enjoys working at home with our animals—a milk cow, heifer, and two bull calves. He also enjoys singing in the choir at our church. (Stockton Community Church)

Kay (Mom) continues to homeschool the children. She is still working with the AWANA program at our church. This year she became involved with the Literacy Volunteers of Chautauqua County. Kay is also doing some reading tutoring.

Jess is 17—almost 18—and a senior in high school. She is still interested and involved in politics, and continues to play the piano, and sings in the choir at church. Erika is 16 and a junior. She is currently a cadet master sergeant in the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), and enjoys it immensely. She continues to be involved in AWANA, and also enjoys photography. Erika helps with the sound system at church as well.
Annetta is 13 and in 7th grade. She has a rabbit, named Watermelon.
Annetta likes reading, playing violin, drawing, and playing outside,
and is in AWANA. She helps run the video camera at church, too.

Lydia is 11 and in 6th grade. Her interests include AWANA,
making snow horses (not to be confused with snowmen!),
and playing outside and on the computer. Hosanna is 9 years old, and in 4th grade. She likes playing
Indian, and playing with the cats. She also plays the violin. Joanna is 7 and in 2nd grade. She wanted everyone to know
that she lost three teeth this year! She is a Sparky in AWANA,
and loves to read. Joshua is 4. He is a Cubbie in AWANA, and is a very energetic
kiddo. He likes taking Katrina outside, and “doing school.”

Katrina is 2, and very enthusiastic about life.
She likes talking and eating. Believe it or not,
she is also in AWANA as a Cubbie.
Here are some of the highlights of our year:

In January, Jessica had the opportunity to go to Washington, DC with some friends for the March for Life. It was freezing cold, but very worthwhile!

In February, David and Erika went to Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station for Cadet Leadership School (part of CAP). It was a weekend event, and a great experience.

We enjoyed a visit from Kay’s family from Florida in early April.

On April 30th, Jess passed the road test to get her driver’s license, much to her satisfaction.

In May, Jessica completed her internship by giving a presentation to the Legislature.

Also that month, the family took a 3-day camping trip to Allegany State Park.

In July, Annetta, Lydia, Hosanna, and Joanna started taking horse-riding lessons again. They continued taking lessons throughout the summer, and loved it.

From August 1-3, Erika, with her CAP squadron, helped with Jamestown Airport’s SkyFest. She enjoyed seeing all the airplanes, directing parking, and sleeping overnight there twice, despite several storms.

Jessica began interning at the Board of Elections in August as well.

In October and December, our church’s puppet ministry (which included Annetta, Lydia, Hosanna, and Joanna) put on puppet shows. The kids had a blast with it, and did a great job.

In October, Kay and Jessica flew to Tennessee to help campaign for a state senate candidate. Kay was there for a week, and Jess flew home ten days later. They had a great time!

Three of the girls participated in a recital in November; Jessica on piano, and Annetta and Hosanna on violin.

Also in November, Kay’s grandfather, Leo Olson passed away. Many friends and family attended his funeral service. He is missed.

Kay, Erika, Annetta, and Lydia flew down to Florida for Thanksgiving with the family down there. They enjoyed the warmer weather and time with family.

And that's just about it for our summary of 2008!