Yuletide Greetings!

Hello!
We wish you a wonderful Christmas Season and New Year! Welcome to our Christmas Blard (Blog + Card). Derek and I decided to forgo traditional Christmas cards this year to be more environmentally and wallet friendly. :) Best part about it is, if you are really not that interested, you can either hit delete or "read it later" (and finally delete it in March!)

We hope this finds you well! Please let us know how you are! Here is our 411 in a nutshell:

Henry, 6
Henry is now in 1st grade and is doing well. This year he joined, and loves, Cub Scouts! In October, he and Derek enjoyed camping overnight with his troop in near freezing temperatures. They toughed it out and naturally have wonderful memories. I recently found out my dad is/was? an Eagle Scout. I am excited that Henry is carrying on this scouting tradition.
Besides the Scouts, Henry enjoyed being the Weather Kid one morning at our local radio station. He read the weather forecast well and engaged in chitchat with the d.j.s. It was a fun time for him and me. Of course Legos, Star Wars, Sponge Bob, being a spy, and a few girls keep his mind active when he's not off on other missions!

Katie, 3
Katie continues to be a burst of energy and a ray of sunshine! She keeps us on out toes with tales of a "new friend" named Plutus who she promises is going to arrive from her plane at any minute. She loves playing with water in the sink and building block towers. Kate also attends "school" two mornings a week, and enjoys singing during Chapel. I've been told that she claps and cheers at the end of each of the songs. This is the same girl who sees it raining and is excited because it creates puddles she can jump it. She certainly is a "glass is half full" kind of girl. She adores her big brother which is often, but not always, reciprocated!

Derek

Derek continues to amaze me! Last year just before Thanksgiving, Derek broke his leg while running a 50 mile race. His cast came off mid January and he completed a 50K (31 miles) race in March. His latest and greatest accomplishment happened last month, almost a year after he broke his leg. Derek ran 54 miles over three mountains with a total overall ascent of 9,000 feet and descent of 7,200 feet at the the Mountain Masochist Trail Run in Lynchburg, VA! In 11 hours and 53 minutes! Obviously he is very pleased, but he humbly takes it in stride. He is hopeful for the 100 mile race in April; I think then he will feel he's "arrived", but we all know he will continue to run. It makes him happy, and that makes us all happy.

On the home front, Derek also is in the process of completing our master bathroom, after relocating our washer and dryer. His construction Estimator/Designer job still seems secure. However, let's all hope the real estate situation turns around sooner than later!

Susan:

My big deals were in the summer - being involved with and attending our high school reunion in July and running a half marathon in August. I've loved getting in touch with old friends, a bit like finding parts of my childhood family; it's cozy and good.

I continue to be involved with MOPS and a bit with Henry's school. I'm trying to absorb as much of Henry and Kate's childhood as I can, knowing this phase is only for a moment. Attending one's almost 20th high school reunion will establish that fact very quickly!

I recently found this poem by Ralph Cushman and it sums up our feelings for the season:

Let not our hearts be busy inns

With no room for Thee

But cradles for the living Christ

And His nativity.

We hope your heart is similarly filled with loved ones and special times.

Wishing you a peace-filled and happy 2009.

With love,

Derek, Susan, Henry and Katie

.