So, about three weeks ago, we decided to write our family newsletter. Then things got busy, and we didn’t. I (Corinne) suggested a regular letter, but Chad wanted a newsletter, so I said, “Chad, if you want a newsletter, you write it.” . . . . So, it is the Saturday before Christmas, and I am writing a newsletter. Yeah, but Chad's posting it.ETHAN
Ethan turned eight this year, and not to sound cliché, but EIGHT IS GREAT! Ethan chose to be baptized, and that was a lot of fun. Being eight, Ethan thought it was great because he got two parties, his birthday and the baptism. He has started second grade and cub scouts and is having a blast at both places. He loves to read, loves to play soccer and basketball, telling jokes and eating baked potatoes (this kid can pack taters in). He hates eating fruit (except for one slice of orange
or tangerines), cleaning his room and girls who have crushes on him (they act dumb). He is a good kid and we love having him around. This section is edited to reflect only the information that Ethan feels is appropriate for others to know. He believes we should stop this silly tradition and not mention him, it’s embarrassing.
AUBREEAubree has turned five and started to read. Once she stopped taking naps, she became a normal child. She still has her spunk, but no longer feels the need to stay up until two in the morning. She loves being a girl, a superhero girl that can save the world, beat up bad guys and carry a cute purse while doing it. She also has a great sense of humor and a vivid imagination. At times, that is challenging. This past April she decided to pretend that we weren’t her real family, we had just found her in the grocery store and decided to bring her home. This was not too big of a deal when we were around people that knew us, but we got really strange looks when we were out in public and she would tell strangers about her old family that dropped her off at the store while they went to work and never came back for her, and how great it was that a new family took her from the store.
She is quick on her feet, and fairly witty – Last week, she just was not listening, or taking no for an answer, so I, the unimaginative mother said, “What part of ‘no’, don’t you understand?” She looked at me, cocked her head and smiled, “All of it!” We shouldn’t have, but all the rest of us had to laugh.
CORINNE 
Corinne has been keeping herself busy with the kids, her part-time job that takes a lot more time than planned, making cute kid and baby gifts, editing Chad’s website content and pretending to keep the house clean. She says pretending, because she goes through the motions, but the clean never seems to stick. She has been busy with a lot of painting projects and watching Chad put laminate flooring in (he doesn’t want help.) Her love of strange and unusual cards has continued to grow, and she has greatly expanded her stash of cards that she can’t send away unless she buys one to give and one to keep.
Corinne has been keeping herself busy with the kids, her part-time job that takes a lot more time than planned, making cute kid and baby gifts, editing Chad’s website content and pretending to keep the house clean. She says pretending, because she goes through the motions, but the clean never seems to stick. She has been busy with a lot of painting projects and watching Chad put laminate flooring in (he doesn’t want help.) Her love of strange and unusual cards has continued to grow, and she has greatly expanded her stash of cards that she can’t send away unless she buys one to give and one to keep.
CHADYou would think that now Chad does not have school, he would not be so busy. Au contraire, he is as busy as ever. Corinne decided that now he was out of school, he needed a “honey-do” list.
So, she ripped the carpet out of all hallways and off the stairs. We now have new flooring and stairs. His “busyness” has caused a major hiccup in his plan for world domination and free sausage for all. (Vote for Chad – our campaign slogan is: Dominate in 2008) The bathroom renovations start this January. He continues to work for Boeing, but he is keeping his options open. He also sold his first website, and now has six others up and running.
BOO
Our poor dog is fully integrated into the family, and has to suffer through many indignities because of this. We like to dress him up with puns and pop culture icons of his name. We dressed him up as a rooster for Halloween, so he could be “Chicken Boo” from the show Animaniacs. This Christmas he had to endure antlers and be “Cari-Boo.” Despite all this, he seems to love us. He loves kids, not so hot on adults, but he does come around.
FAMILY HIGHLIGHTS
We finally took the kids to southern California. We were able to visit a lot of dear friends. Sea World, The Wild Animal Park, San Diego Zoo, the Star Wars Exhibit (with real costumes and props from every movie) and the beach. We had a blast.
Chad and Corinne went to Washington D.C. for a whirlwind adventure. Again, we saw some good, dear friends and had a blast.
In all, this has been a good year. We are so grateful for the great friends and family we have that help us realize what really matters in life. We may have some unfinished home improvements, no cable TV (okay, so that is not that bad) and weird non-life-threatening health situations, but we feel we have great influences and associations with people that couldn’t be bought (although we have the sinking suspicion that some of you might pay to have us go away). We love you and hope that this coming year brings nothing but good and happiness.
