Dear Friends,
One of my many goals for 2009 was to be a little more green. I know that "green" seems to be the catch-phrase of the year, but it was important enough to me that all you're getting is this impersonal electronic Christmas Card from us! If you must hit PRINT so that you can add it to your fridge, please just recycle it when the decorations come down.
2009 brought many joys and challenges as we embarqued on a full year with 2 kids! Our family is so blessed to have really had a happy and healthy year.
JAXON
Jaxon is almost 4 years old. He goes to Sunday School and is in Daycare full time, where he loves Julie and the visiting Spanish and Music teachers that she brings in each week. In the summer, he could always be found in the backyard, either on the playground or in the sandbox. We laughed when grandpa Jim told us we should make that sandbox 20x20, but knowing how much he loves it-- well, there might be expansion plans in the future. He loves legos and building things, and is completely fascinated with construction machines.
JADA
Jada is 15 months old and desperately trying to catch up to her brother. She's full of energy and such a "girly girl." She loves hats and shoes, but doesn't hesitate to jump off of laundry baskets or chase her brother down the hall. Everything she does is full-speed ahead. Unfortunately, she doesn't see sleep as an important part of her life. She celebrated her 1st birthday in September with all of her grandparents and all 8 great-grandparents attending the party!
KOSKIE
Koskie, the pup, is 7 years old. At the vet this year, the new vet didn't believe me that he was over four! He's adjusted to life with kids well and rarely flinches when even Jada topples over him.
CHRIS & JESS
As for us, well, we're not nearly as exciting! Chris is teaching high school math and coaching at Kasson-Mantorville High School. Jess is the Director of Services at MN Youth Intervention Programs Association. We celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary this September.
9. We had a quick get-away vacation to Tampa in August for a great friend's wedding.
5. Jada learned to crawl, walk, run, sprint and talk. She doesn't say anything on a regular basis, but will occasionally repeat the most random words very clearly - like "spaghetti-o's" or "let's go." She said "mama" for the first time at 14 months (and yes, that was after "spaghetti-o's").
4. Jaxon got to help farm at the Strinmoens. He rode in the combine for 2.5 hours -- we were shocked, because we couldn't think of anything he has ever done for 2.5 hours straight.
The top 10 highlights of the year --
10. Jess walked 60 miles in 3 days for the Breast Cancer 3-Day. Her team (including future sister-in-law Amber) raised over $11,000 for breast cancer.
9. We had a quick get-away vacation to Tampa in August for a great friend's wedding.
8. We booked flights and are looking forward to Cancun in February with Jess's family.
7. We celebrated Corey's engagement to Amber at an engagement party in July and are looking forward to all four of us being in the wedding in May. We're hoping to provide two angelic looking kids to walk down the aisle, dressed to the nines -- but we're expecting overly-tired, uncooperative, face-making rugrats in full force.
6. Jaxon confused his pre-school screening teacher by answering her questions about colors in Spanish.
5. Jada learned to crawl, walk, run, sprint and talk. She doesn't say anything on a regular basis, but will occasionally repeat the most random words very clearly - like "spaghetti-o's" or "let's go." She said "mama" for the first time at 14 months (and yes, that was after "spaghetti-o's").
4. Jaxon got to help farm at the Strinmoens. He rode in the combine for 2.5 hours -- we were shocked, because we couldn't think of anything he has ever done for 2.5 hours straight.
3. The K-M KoMets made an appearance in the state tournament for football this fall. Although it's just about the only sport that Chris doesn't coach, we were happy to be spectators at the dome.
2. We decorated our house with lights and set the lights to Amazing Grace. Our neighbors hate us and we'll be happy to see the traffic settle down here with spectators checking out Chris's handiwork.
1. We thought long and hard to come up with the top 10 for this year. Most are accurate, some are exaturated, one isn't quite the truth, but we'll let you guess which are which.
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Love,
Chris, Jess, Jaxon (3) and Jada (1) Strinmoen
1. We thought long and hard to come up with the top 10 for this year. Most are accurate, some are exaturated, one isn't quite the truth, but we'll let you guess which are which.
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Love,
Chris, Jess, Jaxon (3) and Jada (1) Strinmoen
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