We are about to enjoy our 2nd Christmas together and wanted to take a moment to tell you about our 2009. It was a big year for us as we combined our households finally into one great family.
Last Christmas we opened presents on Christmas eve then got in the car early the next day and went to Disneyland. The next three days we had a magical time in the Magical Kingdom. Kathy’s parents, Sue & Steve tagged along and made it that much more special.
In the fall 2008, Michael was given a big decision to make about moving to Chicago to keep his job. He finally decided to accept a different position within the same company based out of Tempe starting January 1st. He now is a project manager for installed digital signage for the hospitality industry.
Tyler was working part-time at Quizno’s earning himself enough money to have some fun with his friends before he lost his job in the summer.
In the spring, Mike and the kids moved out of his apartment and into Kathy & Elise’s house. This made Bree switch schools and she now attends elementary school with Elise.
We had fun going to the Spring Nascar race here at Phoenix and we also got to take hot laps with a real driver on the track. Michael was very happy.
In May, Matt, Kathy’s little brother, got married to his girlfriend Monica. Lot’s of Kathy’s family from New Jersey were in town for the celebration and we all had a good time, and they got to know Mike better. Debbie and Kathy also did a hike up Camelback Mountain.
In early summer BreeAnna & Tyler’s mom moved to Phoenix from Denver so Tyler started living with his mom full-time. BreeAnna visits on weekends and she has been so happy to be back in her mom’s life.
In late July we went on a family vacation to Colorado. The goal was to get away from the Phoenix heat, and find snow; get cold. We had a great time with family & friends with the first part of the trip in Durango at a friend’s ranch riding quads. We then toured the mountain towns before ending up at Mom’s in Colorado Springs. We did find snow by going above 14,000 feet altitude where Elise fainted with altitude sickness.
With summer over Tyler started his final year of high school as a senior. He killed his car over the summer, but still finds ways to find fun with his friends.
Elise started first grade and is just an excellent student. She has been excited about chapter books, friends in the neighborhood, and sleepovers. Of course Kathy thinks she is still a baby so this has been a struggle.
BreeAnna has been doing well on the flute, and is looking forward to moving up to junior high school. She is really into music lately and hanging out with other tween girls.
In November we enjoyed Nascar once again by sitting on Rattlesnake hill with our new awning tent. Later in the month, we went back to Colorado Springs for Mike’s brothers wedding reception. David & Shirley seem very happy and I welcome them to our family.
Kathy has been doing well at work, and has been volunteering on the creation of a department newsletter, as well as getting involved in new software training that might lead to a well-deserved promotion.
We hope your 2009 was as great as ours, and ho pe your 2010 is just as great. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas from our family to yours,
Mike & Kathy
Tyler, BreeAnna, & Elise
