Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! We decided to do something different this year and instead of putting our annual Christmas letter in our cards- we are posting it here instead.

It has been a busy year. If you are a regular to our blog, you probably already know that. If not, feel free to browse...or here is the condensed version. To sum it up...we did a lot of traveling!

In January we met family half way in Dayton for the weekend. We visited the Air Force Museum and got to see the various Air Force One's.

In March we traveled back to IL for Easter and a baby shower for Ryan and Jennifer Irwin who later had a beautiful baby girl, Reagan. During the summer CJ went to his first Cubs game in Pittsburgh. He spent most of the game watching the cotton candy vendor go up and down the stairs. Then, like usual, he fell asleep by the end of the game.

July brought our annual family vacation. This year we traveled to Destin, Florida. With the exception of Jim and Jan, we all drove. We had a wonderful time and Connor enjoyed his first time at the beach and really enjoyed Aunt Jane's purple flip flops!

In August Laurie and Connor ventured to IL alone to visit some Chicago friends and spend the weekend with Nana. They decided that traveling with Daddy is much better! Later that month we went to Washington DC for the LEGO convention. Jamie says we went to see the monuments, but we all know the truth!

Thanksgiving brought us back to IL. On the way home along with 3 LEGO stores, we stopped at Portillos where Connor had his first Portillos hot dog. Since they are his favorite...he was very excited!

Probably the most memorable trip for us was the one back to San Antonio in June. Jamie upgraded us to business class...BIG mistake on his part as we never want to fly coach again! Most of our family was able to join us as we went in front of the judge and made Connor's adoption official.

As you can see we have been busy. Jamie continues to work for Allstate. It's hard to believe that we have been here for 3 years already. He has expanded the LEGO village to one whole side of the basement and says that instead of adding more houses and buildings, he is in the beautification phase...we'll see. He is also keeping busy with his fantasy football team, which he hopes will make the playoffs. (Since the Bears aren't going this year)

Laurie continues to work in the ICU at Akron General. She continues to job share with a wonderful partner. This allows her to spend more time at home with Connor. She is active in Newcomers and likes to scrapbook and stamp cards when she gets a chance.

Connor is growing and changing so much every day. He is a truly amazing little man! He is very inquisitive and smart. We have taught him to blow kisses and hold his hands in the air and clap when we say "Touch Down!" Since the Bears aren't doing so well this season, we also taught him to shake his head no when we say "Fumble, Oh No, No!" He is very close to walking but still reverts back to crawling which he has definitely mastered, as he is always on the move! It's hard to believe at this time last year, he was baby Jesus in our church's live nativity scene. Everyone commented on how peaceful and still he was and thought he was a doll. They wouldn't make that mistake this year. We are truly blessed to have such a wonderful child!

Our parents are both well. Laurie's mom is keeping busy in her retirement. When she is not traveling back and forth to see her kids, she enjoys BUNCO and card making. She even substitutes every once in awhile to pay for her stamping habit. Jamie's dad continues at State Farm and his mom for Unit 5. She plans to retire in 3 years. Laurie's sister Barb and her husband Tim live near Atlanta and just bought their first house. Jamie's sister Jenni continues with theatre and lives in a burb of Chicago. Our two dogs, Daisy and Samson are good too. They are both enjoying Connor feeding himself as he feeds them too. Daisy is still a little unsure of Connor while Samson has a new best friend! He as been working with CJ for 14 months to play ball and he is finally starting to get the hang of it...which gives us a break!

We hope this letter finds you and your family happy and healthy this holiday season with well wishes for the New Year. We know we are truly blessed for all that God has given us and hope that we can all stop to celebrate this season and the greatest gift of all, God's love for us through the birth of his son Jesus. God Bless!