2007 Year in Review

Gideon and pal Ethan

Once again, the end of the year snuck up on us, and we didn't get cards or letters into the mail. Hopefully you don't mind an e-version of our "Year in Review," since the last four months of the year are already detailed in previous entries. But we did more this year than move, so consider these the highlights.

After wanting to visit our friends Jim, Jen and Ethan Richard (not to mention Dave, Bob and Kap!) for the longest time, we actually got to visit them in L.A. twice this year, both times in March.

The first visit was coupled with the MovieGuide awards which we attended as guests, not nominees. As wonderful as it was for Graham to win last year, this time we were able to relax and enjoy the fun. The gal who won second place for the Kairos Award last year was also there again. We had a great time catching up with her and meeting the this year's nominees.

We also got a chance to walk around Beverly Hills before the event and during the show met a few more celebrities (Stephen Baldwin and Ioan Gruffudd & fiancée Alice Evans. We later heard they were married on our anniversary!). A big thank you to the Richards for watching the kids and letting us enjoy an evening out!

Our second visit south we got to spend time with all the Richards including sister, Lisa whom I had never met. They had a great time watching old videos and talking about the good ol' days in Northridge. Gideon and Ethan had a great time playing trains and eating their meals at the kids' table.

This visit also included our first trip as a family to Disneyland, thanks to a great deal on tickets through Fresno Pacific University. Mark, Shiloh and the girls met up with us there which made it an extra fun day.

We weren't sure how the kids were going to handle the long day, but they did great! Gideon had a "stunned" look on his face most of the day, but it was a happy one. His favorite things were the Teacups, the Winne the Pooh ride and the firework show. Hannah enjoyed the lights and the ambiance.

And even though we rode few adult rides, we all had a great time. Every now and then Gidders still makes reference to his big day at Disneyland.

This summer, we decided to finally visit Yosemite since it was so close and neither of us had been there in years. We also hadn't been camping since I was four months pregnant with Gideon, so we decided to rough it at a great site just north of Yosemite park. Dave and Brittany met us there, so it was also a perfect opportunity for us to hang out with them.

The park was absolutely gorgeous (needless to say) and we were able to see parts of it we hadn't see before. (Graham saw even more, as he spent over an hour literally chasing down the shuttle on which he had left our camcorder and digital camera.)

The end of summer brings us up to date with the start of this blog. To recap: In a matter of five weeks, I interviewed with Central Washington University, was hired, we all moved to Ellensburg, and the rest is history.

It was an awfully difficult decision to move away from our wonderful friends, family and workplace, but we absolutely love it here and wish that we could somehow have the best of both worlds.

Thanks to all of you who sent Christmas cards, pictures and newsletters. It's been wonderful hearing about your year, and it's good to know we haven't been forgotten. We hope you had a very Merry Christmas and continue to receive God's blessings in the upcoming year.

Stay tuned for more Moes adventures in 2008!