The End of Decade...Welcome 2010

It always feels weird to see a decade pass away. Ten years ago I still had little kids at home for Christmas, and Santa was anxiously anticipated by a few of them! Most of the boys still thought girls had fleas, and Lauren only knew how to smear lipstick from one end of her body to the other, no concept of making herself more attractive by applying it. Greg had his gadgets, but his phone just had voice mail and call waiting, nothing like the I-phone!I was still teaching preschool and volunteering at the elementary school. We could go to dinner as a family and order from the kids menus, and I drove a mini van. Time changes so many things. Cameron is married, Matt is engaged, and Taylor and Ryan definitely understand that girls don't have fleas, and for some hormonal and instinctive reason are drawn to beautiful young ladies! Lauren knows all about the Mac counter at Nordstrom and is quite the makeup artist. None of the kids believe in Santa, and in fact are beginning to understand that Christmas is much more than Santa....that being Santa is much more exciting than getting from Santa. I don't miss the mini-van, and I loved teaching preschool, but I am so thankful for my job in the PCMC NICU as an RN.

Here are some pictures from then and now...kind of fun for me. It seems like just a few days or maybe even a year or two ago,....but alas it has been ten!

This was then......

Taylor and Gramee decorating for Christmas 1999
Lauren the bowling queen 1999Greg and Karine at the "Great Wall" China
Karine, Matt and Cam at the Empire State building...just after 9-11
Taylor, Ryan and Lauren... This was the first day of school. Taylor in 4th grade, Ryan in second

Lauren's second birthday...those were the days I actually made the cake! Costco is such a better deal....but it was fun.Ryan with his beloved Game Boy
Taylor and Greg on a golf trip...That is when Greg won...Last year of pre-school

This is now...2009

Cameron and Lindsey Christmas Eve cutting the mouthwatering Brisket...Lindsey is better than Rachel Ray!





Ryan and Taylor in New York on a trip with Greg for Taylor's High School Graduation
Taylor and Katie Peil at the San Diego Zoo

Ryan and Kristin Kimball...no fleas!
Matt and Mom in Rio this summer. Matt was just going to be released from his mission
Lauren at Six Flags and below with a new hair do for the beginning of 6th GradeLauren's new hair-do Greg, Karine and Matt in BrazilGreg and Karine in San Fransisco