Merry Christmas - 2007
I hope this letter finds you healthy, happy and merry this Christmas! Furthermore, I hope that unlike the coma that sneaks up after you’ve eaten your third helping of holiday turkey, I won’t put you to sleep!
Another year has come and nearly gone and here we remain in our sunny corner of Tucson, enjoying the many blessings we’ve been given. With vibrant kids, food on the table, and a few extra goodies that have come our way it’s pretty tough to complain!
We started the year out interestingly when the heavens opened up and a solid blanket of snow covered our entire backyard. There was plenty of snow for a great snowball fight and even enough to make a good old-fashioned snowman that was as tall as me! The kids even had a snow day at school!
In January, Kennedy won the school wide spelling bee and moved on to represent Sycamore elementary’s 3rd grade at the district level. Unfortunately, the word “aspen” proved too tricky a word to beat. Kennedy, though, bowed out gracefully and left her entire family feeling so proud of both her achievement and positive attitude!
Jeff’s sister, Ashley, came to visit us in April. We had a lovely time hanging out and giving her a glimpse into our lives. Our crazy household full of kids was quite a change from the peaceful calm and quiet of her own house in Washington DC, but she was quite a trooper and we had a great time enjoying some yummy prickly pear margaritas and roasting marshmallows over the fire pit in the backyard. We’re all looking forward to visiting her in our nation’s capital come March 2008!
We also enjoyed having Jeff’s mom, Sharon, and grandmother, Becky, come in April. We took them to Saguaro National Park to admire the huge saguaro cacti and to Cassidy’s favorite restaurant: Cracker Barrel!
And just a few weeks after they left we welcomed my parents, Dennis and Michelle, and our nephew, Caleb. Since the weather was prime for swimming we snuck into a local hotel pool (shh!) for an afternoon of splashing in the sun. The following day we had a lovely Mother’s Day brunch and then stopped by the zoo where Caleb thoroughly enjoyed the oh-so-fresh scent of the elephants.
In June, while the girls were away for the summer, Jeff, Jayce and I took a trip to Paso Robles to be with my grandparents as they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary out at the Loading Chute. We were able to visit with some extended family that I honestly don’t know when I saw last. A rootin’ tootin’ good time was had by all at their western themed anniversary party!
Later that month, Jayce and I tagged along with Jeff as he went on a business trip to work with Sony in San Diego. The trip provided a much needed respite from the horrendous Tucson temperatures.
We soaked up the salty ocean air and saw the sights. Trip highlights included Father’s Day brunch at the Hotel Del Coronado on Coronado Island and taking Jayce to Disneyland for the first time!
In July an unexpected turn of events left Jeff temporarily unemployed and both of us just a tad nervous. As always seems to be the case though things worked out in the end. Jeff started working for Raytheon on July 30th and it has proven to be a fantastic opportunity for which we are extremely grateful.
Jayce Avery celebrated his very first birthday in August. We hosted a BBQ with some of our closest friends. Jeff’s parents were even able to make it out for the celebration. Fabulous food and yummy mojitos were enjoyed by most (we had a few moms-to-be in attendance that skipped on the mojitos).
In September Torri finally crossed over into her teens. She and six over her best girlfriends hung out and stayed up into the wee hours of the night. For breakfast the following morning she requested sugary cereals and doughnuts. It seems the healthier way of eating around here has crimped her style just a bit so she was pleased with the sugar high that promptly followed that atrocious breakfast!
We also took a much anticipated trip to Walt Disney World in September where Jayce underwent his first haircut at Magic Kingdom’s Harmony barber shop. My parents, my nephew, Caleb, and my grandma, Sandy, joined us for the vacation. The trip was a Grand Gathering celebration marking my 30th birthday and my mom’s upcoming 50th! Our matching t-shirts turned out to be quite a hit but one of the most memorable parts of the trip was when all ten of us crowded onto a surrey bike and cruised Disney’s Boardwalk resort! We were a sight to be seen no doubt.
Thanksgiving was spent at home with our very best friends, Geoff and Kelly Pinsky. I enjoyed watching Kelly put away more food than I ever thought she could as she attempted to keep her growing baby well-fed! We’re looking forward to meeting baby Pinsky in February.
And, to end the year on a high note, I ventured to Walt Disney World one last time this year in early December. The trip was a “working” one though; I was chosen to be a part of the first ever Walt Disney World Moms Panel and was there for training. I must say that the executives at Walt Disney World certainly know how to make a “working” trip magical. I thoroughly enjoyed the many surprises and behind-the-scenes tidbits our group was treated to. And, speaking of the group, I am honored to be among them. The other eleven panelists are amazing and interesting people who I’m lucky to have had the chance to have met. I’m looking forward to the official site launch on January 7th. Make sure you check it out at www.disneyworldmoms.com
As we gear up for another go ‘round we hope that you and yours are healthy, happy, and prosperous! Please give us a ring should you find yourselves passing through; we’d love to play hosts for dinner or something! Until then, may your stocking be well-stuffed, may your spirit be fulfilled, and may those five holiday cookie pounds melt magically away. As for the new year, may yours be filled to the brim with blessings galore!