Our Year

Ok, so for all of you that got our Christmas card and decided to check out our blog, here's a little update on our lives:
I started work again in February after a long maternity leave, over which I realized I did not want to go back to the job that I'd had before my leave. So, I didn't go back to that job! Simple as that. I had a wonderful opportunity come up to work in a smaller firm (still as a CPA) with great people, doing exactly the type of work I want - consulting and financial statements for mostly construction contractors, and taxes of course! I went back to work 3 days a week, a schedule I plan to have indefinitely. It's a perfect arrangement because I get to spend lots of time home with my little one but also get away and do my own thing a few days a week. I really love my job and I'm looking forward to the craziness of my 5th tax season coming up! I'm still learning the balancing act of raising a family and working. It's really hard at times (well most of the time) but very fulfilling.
Ryan made the move out of public accounting a couple of years ago and has been working as Controller for a private company in Grants Pass - a defense contractor. He likes the slower pace of the job, but not the 30 minute drive. He works hard but has much more downtime than he did at his previous job. Every year he looks forward to August when he can go bow hunting and spend a few days with his Dad and brothers running around out in the woods of Oregon. He loves spending time with Katelyn - the two of them will destroy the house but have so much fun together. Ryan can't wait to take Katelyn camping one day.
Katelyn is 14 months old - crazy how time flies. She's walking all over and has been talking up a storm lately. She says "banana", "water", "bath", "turtle", and so many other words. She loves going for walks in the stroller and playing outside. She also loves the Christmas tree, which we have had to decorate only the top half of to prevent her from taking all of the ornaments off. She is growing so close to her Grandma Marge whom she calls "Ga Ga", and her Grandma Judy. She also loves her Aunt Judy who watches her on Fridays and all of her cousins. Ryan's dad comes down from Eugene to visit often as well, we sure wish he lived closer!
Ryan and I celebrated our 2nd anniversary in October, we never got to celebrate our 1st because we had a 3 day old baby! Ryan and I don't get out much, but that's just fine with us, we love nothing more than spending time at home. As for 2009 - we don't have many plans yet. We just love watching our little girl grow and learn so much and we cherish every opportunity we have to spend time as a family. And everyone asks when we'll have more babies - well, I want to run the 10 mile Pear Blossom Run in April (now I can't back out since I told you all) so after that we'll maybe start talking about it - if I haven't lost my mind by then. :)
We miss all of our friends and family that are far away and wish a wonderful year for all of you!