Happy Holidays 2009!

Hard to believe another year has gone by - as with all trite statements, this one is true! We’ve had a busy and fun year, and look forward to even more in 2010! I’m either lazy or ‘going greener’ this year and didn’t print and send this update with my cards – we’ll see how it works out…
We enjoyed Christmas last year with my parents’ visit. And we had our typical “quiet” new year’s celebration – avoiding the people who shouldn’t be out driving by staying home where it’s safe, warm, and you can drink an affordable glass (or two!) of champagne. Bliss!
Our first “vacation” last year was over Mardi Gras holidays when we headed up to Arkansas to visit with Tom’s mom and Lou. We had a really nice visit with them, relaxing and seeing their new place. Harriett treated us to massages (WONDERFUL) which we both really enjoyed. The girls enjoyed all the card games as well as the bit of shopping we did.
I served as “cookie mom” for Maggie’s girl scout troop this year. Given that there were only 6 girls in the group, it wasn’t too difficult or taxing a job. Perhaps the hardest part was keeping Tom from all the cookies that he hadn’t ordered!
The big school events last spring were, for Abby, the 3rd grade talent show where she played her violin. Mom and dad came down for this one – when Maggie was in 3rd grade Kristin happened to be visiting and it’s really a fun little show, so this time I invited them to come along! For Maggie, it was the 6th grade’s Greek festival. The kids all studied various Greek figures (she did Echo), reported on them in costume, and we enjoyed a Greek luncheon.
Another “big” event for Maggie this year was getting glasses and contacts. For the past 2 years she’d had trouble at the regular doctor’s office with the eye check equipment. Last year we thought maybe it was just something that she had a problem with, but this year I ended up taking her to the eye doctor. Her prescription is stronger than mine, but she was able to leave the office with contacts and we ordered glasses the same day. Abby, somewhat happily, tagged along as the visit was on a day when there was no school.
For me, a big event last spring was my baptism. I was pleased that Tom and the girls were able to attend and that the church so welcomed me. Mom and dad even surprised me (immensely!) by sending a bouquet of flowers for me (and everyone else!) to enjoy.
The girls finished school the weekend before Memorial Day. They both participated in the ballet recital. Abby’s last “hurrah” at ballet as she decided to devote her time to piano and violin (sounds a bit like her mom!). We also enjoyed the piano recital, which is a nice, low-key event where the kids are definitely the focus. The teacher also arranges for various “groups” to perform, this year including drums, vocals, multiple pianos, and guitar and bass. With so many kids interested in being in bands, it’s both a great experience and a good way for them to show off their skills. Abby also participated in her violin recital, which is a much more formal event. She allowed me to accompany here which was fun (and helpful as we could practice together at home!). She really loves her violin and is getting quite good at it.
Summer continued at a busy pace. The girls participated in the summer camp at their school again this year. Maggie also participated in an intense dancing workshop, 5 days a week (AFTER camp all day!). Kept me running around town! After camp ended, Maggie headed to New York with my parents for her “trip with gramma and granddad” – promised to all grandkids at around 12 years old. Maggie chose New York. While there, they did a lot of tourist things, went to 4 Broadway shows, AND showed up on the Today Show (I have it tivoed if you’re interested!). They came home and mom and dad left and then the 4 of us headed on our holiday. This year we went to Washington, DC. Instead of flying, Tom had us traveling AMTRAK which was a fun adventure. Takes about 28 hours from New Orleans. Maggie and I shared a “room”, Abby and Tom were bunkmates. Our room had two tiny beds (during the day mine were the chairs). The toilet was right next to my bed, the sink folded up into the wall. It was certainly an adventure! We really did enjoy it, especially on the way there (on the way home, we were just ready to get home…). We managed to see about 28 museums collectively (none went to all of them), visited a friend of mine from college and friends of Tom from high school. We spent a week in DC, then headed to Virginia to a farm house where my parents met us for a few days of canoeing, tubing down a river, and chilling out. Then we headed back to DC for more of the “city”. It was great to break up the trip like that, especially as I was able to do laundry!
Soon after we got home school started – hard to believe I now have 7th and 4th graders! They’ve managed to earn good grades despite big courseloads (I think Maggie has more homework than I did in high school) and lots of projects. Maggie has also applied for high school next year (most of the high schools here start at 8th grade for the girls – she’s decided to forego the last year of elementary and “get used to” high school before it really “counts”).
Thanksgiving this year was in Houston with Tom’s family. I hadn’t been back to Houston since Hurricane Katrina, so that was nice for me! We stayed with one of Tom’s brothers and enjoyed several days with family doing a variety of movies, shopping, eating, and just enjoying one another. We missed his youngest sister and her family in California! Hopefully we’ll get to see them and meet the newest member of the family soon!
We will be spending Christmas with my family in North Carolina, returning home on January 2 (which allows me to watch OSU in the Rose Bowl with my parents!).
Our prayers for all of you are for a safe, happy, and fun-filled holiday! Keep in touch…