Merry Christmas from the Austin Family! We had a blessed year with few dull moments (or quiet ones!).
Alivia, who turned 4 years old in May, is in her second year of preschool at the Gingerbread House. She attends 3 days a week in the afternoons while the little ones take their naps. She also started Sunday School at St. Vincent de Paul. She is extremely shy, but has done well in school. She likes to ride her bike, go to new parks, go swimming, and play dolls with Addison. In August, Alivia gave donated her hair to Pantene Beautiful Lengths, cutting off her long, long hair. She took swimming lessons this summer, and she plans on doing that again soon. She wants to start gymnastics again after the first of the year. Alivia is a big help around the house with her little sister and brother. Alivia plans on going to kindergarten in the fall.
Addison, who turned 2 in July, is the most vocal child in the house. She also is a very cuddling little girl and is rarely seen without her taggie blankets. Her most recent big achievement is to be potty trained (yeah, down to one in diapers!). Addison loves her many dolls and taking them on stroller rides. Addison and Alivia play well together, but Addison is still working on being gentle with Asher. Addison and Asher are almost the same size, so Addison better watch out! “Addi” will most likely start preschool in the fall.
Asher, who just celebrated his 1st birthday on November 29, likes to keep us on our toes. He ended 2007 by scaring us with a serious case of RSV that landed him in the hospital on oxygen for a few days. We were so lucky to have him home just in time for the New Year. Asher also climbed out of his crib at 7 months old, got his first black eye during story time at the library at 10 months old (I’m serious!), and was insisting on swimming under water at the pool at 11 months. In other words, Asher is all boy! Having taken his first steps, Asher will probably be walking before Christmas. So, we will soon have 3 kiddos to chase after!
Chris is into his 10th year at Northrop Grumman. Chris started the year off getting a nice promotion, which was a long time coming. This year Chris entered the ethics poster contest at work again and won 1st prize nationally! He does a lot of web development and logo work on the side, continuing to update Toglias Salon website, developed Luethge Homes’ website, developed a website and ad card for someone running in November’s election, and developed a few logos in and outside of work. Chris rode his motorcycle to work a lot this year since we had only the Camry to drive until July (when we broke down and bought a Honda Odyssey. Yes, a minivan!). Chris continues to keep his pilot’s license up, too. In his free time, Chris escapes to music on his IPod, chats with friends on Facebook, and orders pizza late at night so he does not have to share.
I officially ended my job at Dey the first on March. Oh, what a feeling! It is a huge change of pace from working alone from my car to being at home full time. It is so much more work at home…the cooking, cleaning, laundry, playing, taking the kids places, changing diapers, and did I mention the laundry?! J I have loved every minute. The kids and I stay busy going to the zoo, Children’s Museum, Fontenelle Forest, swimming, water parks, visiting new parks around town, story time, daily walks around our neighborhood, play dates, etc. I am trying to take advantage of this time I have with all 3 kids at home at once before Alivia starts school! I did just start working at Janie and Jack a few hours a week. It helps me to get some adult interaction so I don’t start speaking in whine. I still try to find time to run, scrapbook, sell/buy on EBay, and update our family blog online (http://ckaustin.vox.com).
Another year brought more home updates. We had our new furnace and air conditioner installed in the spring. Chris updated the landscaping in the front yard and planted 40 tulips for me this fall! Then, after the high winds and hail, we had our roof replaced. Now that we have new carpet, new roof, new furnace/air conditioner, newer fence (and freshly stained AGAIN), newly finished basement…we think we may want to move! Chris would really like to be closer to his work, like in La Vista or Papillion. We have looked (and Chris almost bought!), so we know homes that we like do exist! I have been busying myself updating hardware, lighting, cleaning out and up our home to get it ready for the market maybe in the spring. So, maybe next year the return address will be different!
From our family to yours…Merry Christmas and God bless you in 2009! We look forward to hearing from all of you!
Love,
Chris, Krista, Alivia, Addison & Asher
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