Merry Christmas….and a Happy New Year!

We rang in New Year 2012 with Nana & Papa Livingston and Uncle David.  It’s become a bit of a tradition. The rest of January and February are dull, dreary months around here. We try to stay warm and get a lot of schooling done, since no one likes to be outside. In March, Erin went to a women’s retreat she helped coordinate and both spoke and played piano.

April was a fun month – we watched the space shuttle Discovery on its last flight and then saw it brought to the Smithsonian’s large, outdoor exhibit.  We all enjoyed that! Peter started attending a youth group at a local church with some friends, and Caroline got braces on her top four teeth. We went to Virginia Beach in May this year – the kids love to dig holes, build sandcastles, and catch crabs. Peter got a bearded dragon and named it Rex. June was a good month to get a tour of the Capitol Building – I wish they’d let you look around a little more, but it was neat. Victoria learned to tie her shoes and also to read!

July was busy! Tim was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, so we had a party with family and friends coming from as far away as California, Michigan, and Vermont.  We had a very full house with all the comings and goings.  Peter and Caroline spent 2½ weeks in Vermont.  Peter worked with Uncle Dennis, Caroline hung out with Jazzy, and they both played with cousins on Cape Cod.

Jonathan finally got his braces off in August! He loves to chew gum in front of those that still have braces.  He has a retainer, but is pleased with the huge difference in his teeth. Peter, on the other hand, had his braces put ON.  Tim had shoulder surgery to repair some torn ligaments in September; he is healing well.  We also went back to Virginia Beach. It’s just a nice, relaxing time.

The best month of all was October – Victoria accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior! What a praise! We also welcomed Nana & Papa Mewes to Virginia – they are here until spring. Victoria lost her first two teeth this year. The first was exchanged for an Eisenhower bicentennial dollar; she was SO impressed that such a little tooth could “earn” such a large coin! Her second tooth was lost at Thanksgiving dinner (at Nana & Papa Livingston’s) and never recovered. We wrote the Tooth Fairy a note, and she received a Susan B. Anthony dollar. 

Christmas was celebrated at our house – with too many presents and food, but a lot of love.  Thank God for his gift of Jesus! We will have both sets of grandparents as well as Uncle David here for New Year’s again – I told you it’s become tradition!

Now may the God of all grace bless, preserve, and keep you.  May He look mercifully upon you, show you His favor, and grant you His peace.