Our Top 20 Memories of 2008...

In advance of the end of the year, we've compiled our best memories for the year. Hopefully everyone has had as much fun as we have had this year. Here's our choices:

1 - Rob & Ashley's Wedding in Seattle - There's no doubt that we had a great time in Seattle for the wedding. It was so nice to just get a way from Manitowoc and enjoy life. The breakfasts were huge, the attractions were outstanding and the wedding was beautiful, just beautiful.

2 - Pippin joins the Family - James finally broke down and agreed to a non-hunting/lap dog and Jen wasted no time in bringing Pippin into our household.

3 - Great Fishing at John's Cabin in Osakis - It went from sweatshirts and jackets to t-shirts and shorts in three days but it was the best fishing we've had in seven years of visiting Osakis!

4 - James Competes in Fox Cities Half Marathon - After watching Jen, Megan and Lauren run the Half in 2007, James gives it a try and finishes in under 1 hr 50 minutes.

5 - Winter Trip to Brooke & Jay's - Sledding, Rock Climbing and some serious game playing went down in Boulder Junction this past January and it was FUN!!!

6 - Grandma & Grandpas 60th Anniversary Party - We drove through a wicked storm on the way down but the weather cleared and the party was great. It was nice to see everyone again.

7 - Uncle D's (illegal) 4th of July Fireworks - Just ask Owen & Gavin, these were awesome! Complete with drama and over-the-shoulder cop watching.

8 - Jen and Owen flip Kayak at DUGOF - Jen and Owen took out a kayak but didn't quite complete the circuit without swimming. Both were soaked and they claim some kid ran into them?

9 - Weekend at the Kalahari with the Vaters - Considering the kids keep asking when we're going back, it must make the Top 10. Plus Rob was there, which was really cool.

10 - Jen Donates 1st Gallon of Blood - She who fears needles and shots has given a gallon of blood. Credit to James for getting her to give it a try and credit to Jen for sticking with it.

11 - Snow, Snow and More Snow - December was the snowiest December ever, beating the local record that was set back in 1889 or something. Needless to say, we're sick of shoveling already and we have two months plus to go.

12 - Chris Graduates! - Seriously, enough said, unfortunately the weather kept us from watching the procession. It took two hours from Madison to Bonde's and another hour to get to the Vater House due to the drifts, getting the truck stuck in them and waiting for the plow to get us through the largest of them.

13 - 130TH Geocache Found & Trip to Black River Falls - 12 caches in one day, a new record, some great weather and not another soul in the woods.

14 - Boys & Curtiss get Freddy Sanchez Autograph - After waiting for nearly an hour, the boys launched all three of their balls at a waiting Freddy Sanchez, All-Star of the Pittsburgh Pirates. He signed all three and tossed them back out the dugout to the waiting boys.

15 - The Spoon Game at Jane's Christmas Party - If you haven't seen the video on Jane's blog, you gotta see it. Prepare to pee your pants.

16 - Bandits Win Second League Championship - Two years in the row, the Bandits had the best team in Northeastern Wisconsin. Almost worth all the work.

17 - The Family Runs in 2008 Sleigh Bell Run - Matt, Megan, Dad, Jay, Brooke, Jay's Dad, Jen and James ran or walked. Randy Bonde paced James' through the 5 mile course without even sweating.

18 - BBBS Charter Fishing Trip - Gavin caught a huge Rainbow Trout, Curtiss caught a big King Salmon, Owen tossed up his cookies most of the morning and mostly slept on the boat.

19 - Jen's Halloween Party - Jen went all out with her Shak-Tii costume and the Seiler's came complete as the Baron Van Munchousen cast. Mom dressed up as Megan and Caryn had some nice watches to sell for a low, low price. Good Time!

20 - The Clan Gets Six Deer at Theobalds - The deer harvest was down 20% this year in the state but over two trips, our crew bagged six deer with Devon and James getting two each and Dad & Chris getting one as well. Plus James' dad got a turkey.