Christmas 2009

Happy New Year to All Our Friends and Family!

What a great year 2009 has been for our family…

The beginning of the year, in February, was a “scream!” Literally…. Our strong-lunged and health baby boy, Jack arrived on the 24th. He has been such a joyful addition to our family. He started crawling at 5 months and recently has moved on to attempting to walk and talk. He is a great big, fast growing, boy who loves to get into everything and keeps us on the run! Watch out --- because his smile is infectious!

Ella is now almost three (in March) and is a total riot. She talks up a storm and has a vocabulary better than many teenagers. Don’t believe us?? Just come for a visit and you’ll see within the hour! She keeps us laughing with her high energy and sassy-ness. She has also learned the power of the “little girl’s smile” – how can you say “no” to that face? She and mommy go to a gymnastics class where she has learned to jump, swing, and do summersaults. She loves to sing and dance and cause trouble!

Ella and Jack love each other so much and it is a special thing to see… that is when they are not bonking each other on the head, stealing each other’s toys, or generally driving mom and dad crazy! Seriously though, there is nothing better than watching them give each other a kiss, hug, or snuggle.

As for us, we are both doing great. We each turned 30 this year, but still don’t feel like adults (thank goodness)! We went to Disneyland for John’s 30th and had a great time with family and friends out there. Anne spent hers with fine food, wine, and a warm fire beside her hubby. Oh yeah, and a major professional massage too!

We have enjoyed all the time we were so lucky to have with many family and friends this year, who came to Colorado Springs. Thank you to each of you who made the trek all the way out here!

The year ended with many highlights! At the beginning of December, we went on the “Polar Express” at the Royal Gorge with the kiddos and Anne’s parents. Ella and Jack received actual reindeer bells from Santa himself – what fun! John and Anne went on a great date to Cripple Creek to see their local theatre’s version of A Christmas Carol. Lots of excitement with a wild olio sing-a-long to finish off the evening! Then it was off to Breckinridge for an awesome ski weekend with John’s parents, brother, and sister-in-law. While there we went on our first horse-drawn carriage ride! It was great to get away and enjoy time with family. Christmas week was spent at Anne’s parent’s house and John’s whole immediate family came and stayed too. We feel so blessed that our families love each other and share time together!

We look forward to another exciting year in 2010 and hope it’s a wonderful one for you and yours!

Love,

John, Anne, Ella, & Jack