The Christmas "Letter"

December 15, 2009

Every year as I address the Christmas cards, I think to myself that I should write a longer note.  I never get around to it . . unlike my dear friend Jenny who fills up my card every year with a lovely handwritten note which reminds me why she is so awesome.  Not that her note says she is awesome; it's the fact that she handwrites in my card that reminds me . . . get it?
Anyway, I have never written a Christmas letter.  We get a few each year.  One in particular from another law school friend is always hilarious; I look forward to it each year.  He should write for Letterman or something. 
Since I sent out those cute blog cards, I KNOW you all will be flocking to read this (ha!!) so I am going to blog my "Christmas letter" of sorts this year. 
Here goes:

A summary of the Halterhome in 2009:

Tommy began lacrosse and loved it (he's #1 below).

Grace, Emmie, Abbie, Aunt Kristin and I visited the American Girl store in Los Angeles.  Santa brought all three cousins a trip to the AG store for Christmas 2008 . . . what are the odds?!  We also spent a day playing in the ocean.

Grace played softball.

Tommy's baseball team won the Arcadia Little League Majors Championship.

Then he played on the Allstar baseball team!

Tom gave me a trip to Portland for Christmas which I took in February.  I had a fabulous visit with the Holcombs.  Portland is one of my favorite cities.  You should visit it if you've never been there.  I didn't take any photos though.  Sorry.

We went skiing with our friends, the Bettins and the Massimis, in Tahoe, CA.  It was the kids' first time on skis. They loved it and can't wait to go again this spring break.
Look at that amazing view of Lake Tahoe!

We got to spend much of the summer in Flagstaff at Poppy's house.
The kids golfed ALOT
We had cousin Max out to visit from Ohio

Emmie also spent some fun time in Flagstaff with us.

Abbie also got to come from Ohio for the 4th of July.

We had to say farewell to 352 Lee Doyle at the end of July. 

We really miss it.

Tommy went to camp in California and then on to see Aunt Fissa in San Diego with Kathy and Emmie.

Grace and I left Daddy & Ollie in hot Phoenix while we visited Jennifer's family in Vermont, with a side trip to Lake George, NY. I've decided I am living in the wrong part of the country. It is way prettier out there, although Flagstaff is pretty close (although it needs more lakes).

Tommy got a cell phone for his 12th birthday!

I learned to surf with my neighborhood pals in La Jolla. 

Tom took his annual golf outing with the Wintergalen brothers in Tubac, AZ.   I have yet to see a picture from this event which is now about 13 years old. 

Grace took up volleyball and played soccer

Grace got braces.

And Ollie is still obsessed with the tennis ball.