The Last Decade

In our last post we took a look at 2009, and while that in itself is packed, as we move into a new decade, we thought it would be fun to look back on the last decade. This is getting tougher and tougher to do as we get older (remember stuff), but here it goes.


1) The Y2K non-event - Not much to say here other than all the planning and preparation for the end of the world didn't happen...nothing blew up or malfunctioned. We just partied like it was 1999!

2) Madison - In 2001 we became parents with the birth of Madison Lynn. Her Auntie quickly gave her the nickname "Binks", and she has been a true blessing to us. She loves everything she does, and you can tell by the smile on her face all the time.

3) 9/11 - A day we will never forget, Steph was at home with Maddie and I was on the way to work when all everything started to unfold. I vividly recall our CEO at the time, calling a meeting and telling everyone to go home to be their families.

4) Boston trip - After Ryan and Stacey moved back to Boston, we took a great family trip to visit. Besides touring Boston, going to a Red Sox game, etc we all made it out to Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. We wrapped that up with a trip to the "Big Apple" - our first time in NYC.

5) Kenzie - In 2005 we welcomed another daughter into the world, Makenzie Channer. She is our wild one, but also our little baby. We'll never forget the family photo shoot only 3 days after she was born...we still have those pics hanging on our walls.

6) Disneyland - Over the decade we were lucky to make a few trips to Disneyland. One of the first was when a good chunk of the family met in Long Beach for Thanksgiving and then went to the Magic Kingdom. We have made it down there a couple other times as well, once as a surprise for Stacey's birthday, as well as for Sheryl's 60th. We always love visiting Mickey and Minnie.

7) Hawaii trip(s) - Speaking of family trips, we also made a couple visits to Maui...our favorite island. The first was a great trip with Stacey and Ryan when Maddie was just 2...I'll never forget Maddie saying "Push it Uncle, Push it" while Ryan was driving...and rocking out in the car. The second trip was a big family getaway where aunts, uncles, cousins, etc all met in Maui to spread Grandpa Chew's ashes over Pearl Harbor. It was a memorable moment where we laid him to rest at a place where he almost lost his own life as a young man.

8) Vegas - Early in the decade we went on our first trip to Vegas...We expereinced the steak and eggs at 1am, and also spent quality time on the Golf course while the ladies were at the pool....we also made our contributions to the Vegas economy. Later in the decade, along with 3 other couples, we pulled off a surprise 40th Birthday getaway. The kids were at Nana and Papa's and we headed out on a 3 day getaway full of fun, laughs and all the other stuff that happens in Vegas..and stays there :-)

9) Grandparents - On both sides of our families we lost a few of our grandparents. Although it has been sad to see them go, we know that they lived long lives and are in a much better place. They provided us with so many great memories over the years and we will cherish them forever.

10) Parents turning 60 - Both our parents hit the big 6-0 during this last decade. We spent time in San Diego, Disneyland as well as the Oregon coast celebrating these milestone birthdays. We are thankful for their health and the involvement in both our lives, as well as our kids. They love there Nana's and Papa's.

11) Nieces and nephews - In addition to our family growing by 2, both our sisters and brothers grew their families in this decade. Jeff and Amy had Ben and Lauren, while Ryan and Stacey had Haas and most recently Felton. Growing up, we enjoyed our cousins so much, so it is great that our girls have cousins that that they can grow up with as well.

12) Coming Home - The last notable event of the decade was that we moved from Renton back to West Seattle. We called Renton home after we first got married since it was a nice in-between for both our jobs. However, we always wanted to try and find a way back into West Seattle where we both grew up. Luckily we were able to make that happen shortly after Maddie was born. Since then we have returned to Hope Church, Maddie and KK attend Hope school and we love everything about the West Seattle community.

There you have it, 12 notable items from the last decade. As we look forward to the next decade it is interesting, and maybe even scary, to think about where we will be in another 10 years. Maddie will be in college, Kenzie in High School, we will turn 40, our parents retired...and we have no idea what else God has in store for us. We will take it as it comes.

Happy New Year!