I was too busy (lazy) to write a Christmas card on time – frankly I couldn’t think of any interesting way to write it. After seeing all the cards come in, I thought it would be good to reflect on the year – even in a unoriginal way.
Amelia turned 4 in February and we celebrated her birthday with a trip to Los Angeles for our family vacation. She was pretty excited about getting to fly on an airplane on her birthday. Her birthday dinner was at a Joe’s Crab Shack of all places where she and Katie got to walk around and bang on pots, in what was the weirdest birthday celebration I’d seen. She has really grown up this year – thankfully she’s over the period where she had to go to timeout every day at supper time. She really likes to talk and make friends now. She started senior preschool this September (don’t just call it preschool, otherwise you’ll be corrected) and she absolutely loves it. She has really improved her understanding of letters and can write her name and several words now. She shocked me recently when she was asked to spell her whole name, and she just rattled it off. Amelia started dance this fall and had her first performance in early December – she did just great.
Katie turned 6 this past January and she has been as busy as ever. She’s been dancing, T-balling, swimming and enjoying school. She started 1st grade this September and has really improved her reading. They are serious about homework in 1st grade, so fortunately she’s following in her mother’s (and not her father’s) footprints and getting her homework done on time. She loves to stay active and she’s enjoying the chance to play outside and go sledding in the winter.
Becky and I are still working at Microsoft in our 12th and 11th years now. We got to take some time off this summer to go to Italy on vacation. We had a great time exploring Rome, Florence and Venice – we enjoyed everything about the trip. Thanks to my mom and dad for keeping the girls for an 8-day sleepover. As a family, we went to California to spend a day at Disneyland, Hollywood and Sea World in February. Becky and her friends started a book club early this year, and that’s been the highlight of her month. She loves to read and hang out with her friends.
It’s been a great year and we look forward to the new year ahead (Amelia can’t wait to start kindergarten). Merry Christmas to all and we wish everyone health and happiness in the new year.
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