Best of '09: The Stories That Shaped Our Year

'Tis the season for "Best of" lists, and we wanted to get in on the action! As the year (and the decade) draws to a close, we reflect on the stories that shaped our 2009:

Rock On!

Jim and I attended more concerts this year than we have in a long time. Not counting the acts that we took in at Summerfest, we attended 5 concerts this year. In January, we banged our heads at the Metallica concert. We saw The Killers play at The Rave at the end of April. We were among the few who saw The Wallflowers play at State Fair in August. In September, we traveled to Chicago to see U2 play at Soldier Field. Most recently, we watched Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band perform at the Bradley Center. With the exception of The Killers and The Wallflowers, all of the acts that we saw this year are members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. A few weeks ago, I watched the 25th Anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame concerts on HBO, and got a kick out of seeing Metallica, U2, and Springsteen play for the crowd at Madison Square Garden. We feel fortunate that we were able to see such legendary perfomers this year!

Jim rocks out at the Metallica concert.

Becky at the U2 Concert

Oh, Babies!

Many of our friends and family members were blessed with new babies this year. In fact, I visited a different set of parents and their newborns in the hospital each month for five of the first six months of the year! In January, my friend Shelly and her husband Jamie welcomed their son Jacob into the world. A few weeks later, I visited Veronica, Brian, and baby Samara at the hospital. In March, it was my friend Jenny's turn. She gave birth to her second child, Jenna, at the end of the month. Jim and I became an uncle and an aunt once more when our nephew Connor James was born to proud parents Kristen and Chris. Finally, in June, I visited Cheryl, Tony, and baby Brayden in the hospital to welcome him and congratulate them. If you were one of the many who welcomed a little one into your lives this year: congratulations!

Becky holds baby Jake.

Becky holds baby Samara.

Jenny welcomes little Jenna.

Jim meets his nephew, Connor.

Becky holds baby Brayden.

Have Fun, Will Travel

Jim and I continued to enjoyed traveling in 2009. Over spring break, we vacationed in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. We thoroughly enjoyed our days spent soaking up sun and relaxing near the pool (drinks in hand). We stayed at a luxurious all-inclusive resort located right on the ocean. We were spoiled with delicious food and drink, beautiful scenery, and wonderful accommodations. It was difficult to return to Wisconsin after a trip like that one.

In July, we joined Chris and Mike for a road trip to Cincinnati to see the Brewers play against the Reds at Great American Ballpark. We watched the Brewers beat the Reds twice during our visit. We had fun exploring the city and all that it had to offer. We made stops at Cincinnati's Skyline Chili and at the Cincinnati Zoo. We had such a good time that on our drive home from Cincinnati we were already discussing a 2010 road trip. Stay tuned!

On the beach in Punta Cana

Waiting out a rain delay in Cincinnati

Fanatics

We attended our fair share of sporting events this year. We followed the Brewers to Cincinnati, but also took it many a game at Miller Park. We cheered on the Badgers at several football games and a basketball game. Last weekend, we watched the Packers win at Lambeau. Early in the year, we rooted for the Milwaukee Admirals at a game at the Bradley Center. This fall, we supported the UW-Whitewater Warhawks on their rise to the state championship as we attended a playoff game at Perkins Stadium in Whitewater. We'll surely continue to cheer for our home teams in 2010!

On and Off the Market

In July 2009, we put our house up for sale. We hoped to sell the house and move to a home in the Sussex/Menomonee Falls area. We were looking forward to finding a home with a finished basement on a lot that would afford us more privacy. Our house drew much interest from potential buyers; it seemed that we were constantly showing the home. Interest dwindled, however, in early fall. We took our house off the market in November, with plans to finish our basement and make some other upgrades in the house. I look forward to moving forward with those plans in the new year.

Bye, Braces!

After spending two years in braces and undergoing upper and lower jaw surgery in 2008, my new and improved smile was revealed in August 2009. I was, and continue to be, happy with the change in my smile and appearance. We celebrated my new smile with a corn roast in late August, and I continue to appreciate my new smile when I look into the mirror each day!

Run, Jim, Run!

Although he froze after completing it and while waiting for those of us that walked, Jim was proud to have finished the 5 Mile Al's Run for Children's Hospital in October. We ran and walked on Team Jenna, and helped to raise funds for Children's Hospital in doing so. It was a fun event and a worthwhile cause. We hope to participate again next year, though it would be nice if it weren't as cold.

Upgrade

In early December, I bid a final farewell to my 2000 Volkswagon Jetta and upgraded to a 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe. We sold the Jetta to a 16 year old who was excited to begin driving the car. I've been driving the Santa Fe for a few weeks now, and although it still doesn't feel like "my" car, I can say that it has been a much more comfortable and luxurious ride than my Jetta ever was. I'm quickly learning how dirty black cars can get during Wisconsin winters - pictures of my new car have not been posted here on Good Times because it seems that the car is constantly covered in salt! Come spring, I'll post...

YOU!

Our family and friends round out our list of stories that shaped our year. Together, we went shopping, had play dates, cheered on local sports teams, went to movies, exercised, played games, shared meals, and spent time enjoying each others' company. YOU blessed our year with fun, laughter, and general Good Times. Here's to 2010! May it be filled with as many Good Times as our 2009 has been! Happy New Year!