Monday, December 24, 2012

2012 Christmas Update!


Merry Christmas!
We hope the holidays find you with family and loved ones and the joy of the season.  Our year has been busy but fulfilling.  We are celebrating our second Christmas in Washington D.C. and really love the area and many close friends that are here.  We’ve been fortunate to have had many opportunities to visit and have visitors—including multiple grandparent trips, a gathering of all the kiddos’ cousins, and continued Air Force experiences.  
Claire, 8 years old, still loves school and is a book-a-day reader in the second grade.  She loves Egyptology and learning new techniques for drawing to improve her art skills.  Madeline, 6 years old, is a kindergartener and budding young vocalist—she loves singing.  Her Barbie collection may overrun our home’s fire marshal approved capacity.  They ride the bus together and both participate in Girl Scouts, dance, and cheerleading.  Colin turned 3 years old over the summer and is now a pre-schooler.  He really enjoys the school activities and having his best friend (Sarah!) in class with him.  He’s also proud to have started soccer practices.  Colin enjoys interrupting his big sisters’ games with Hot Wheel™ crashes and unexpected airplane attacks.
After a full and well travelled life, our dog Bailey passed away in February.  It wasn’t long before the family needed another canine companion and Clyde, the beagle, joined our team.  Our parakeets continue to chirp and sing, and the backyard was full of life through the summer:  the kids saw three different nests with eggs and tiny birds.
Katie, the family’s professional chauffeur, has taken up crocheting as an excuse to hang out with adults.  Phil still works at the Pentagon, and will be promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in January.  Since the Air Force doesn’t like us to get too comfortable anywhere for too long, Phil will return to fly the C-17 this summer and it looks like we will then be moving to Anchorage, Alaska.  As long as a grizzly doesn’t intercept them, expect a change of address note from “The Last Frontier!”

 


Merry Christmas from our family to yours, and keep those who may not be together this holiday season in your thoughts.  God Bless and Happy New Year!  


2 comments:

Beth said...

Alaska?!?!?! Wow! What an experience! You guys truly have such a blessed life and a beautiful family. Merry Christmas, cousin!!!

Uncle Rick, Aunt Mary said...

You might be able to see Russia from your house! My bucket list includes the item "see the Northern Lights", but yeah, a drive up there is 46 hours, and I don't think Amtrak goes there, and a flight from here more than likely takes us to New York or Hawaii! Could we meet in Hawaii?