Is it time to write the annual Christmas letter already? Seems we just did this last week. Anybody else noticing that the years are getting shorter?

Each December, Eric compiles the pictures of the year for a photo album for the grandparents. Although this can be a stressful time of the year, it’s always a joy to look back at our pictures, see the smiles and realize that we really do lead charmed and blessed lives.

Eric and Julie continue to work at Ministry Health Care. On the home front, Julie has added to our beautiful flower and vegetable gardens as our landscaping continues to take shape. Eric still chases the family around with his cameras and takes classes through Franklin University in Ohio (online) in pursuit of his Bachelor’s degree. Eric and Julie traveled to Florida twice in 2006: Little Gasparilla Island in April and Key West in November. It’s a dangerous trend as we are already planning to go again in March. The beaches, shelling, fishing, salt air and warmth keep calling us back. The kids are getting wise to this and are starting to ask why we don’t take them, too….

Jaime had a very eventful 2006. She turned 15 this year, is a freshman at Chippewa Falls High School (Chi Hi) and was confirmed at First Presbyterian Church. She was outstanding in her first play as a knife wielding French chef and the whole family enjoyed watching her perform with the high school band’s color guard at the Chi Hi Friday night football games. This winter the high school pep band and a new gerbil get her attention.

Roger is in 5th grade this year and has become quite the social young man. He can’t understand why a friend or ten can’t spend the night every weekend. His baseball career reached a new apex when he was selected for the Chippewa Falls Little League All Stars team as shortstop. Roger traveled to Dodgeville for the state tournament where his team finished 4th of 16! He also participated in the Chippewa Falls football program in fall and earned a spot as tight end. It’s amazing that he fits all of this in to his Playstation gaming lifestyle.

Mitchell is showing significant promise as a math and crossword puzzle genius and excels in 1st grade. Not to be outdone by his athletic brother, he participated in his first baseball team this summer and has become quite the neighborhood quarterback. He enjoys Nerf gun wars, Pokemon cards and Ripley’s Believe It or Not! books (believe it or not!).

Wishing your family a very Merry Christmas and a joyful, prosperous New Year!