The New Year's Letter

I'm getting ready to send my New Year's letter out, but thought I'd post it here just to get this blog up and active. I really want to update my pictures on here and start blogging more about the kids, but it will have to wait. This will have to suffice:

Happy New Year 2010!
We hope the new year finds all of our friends and family well and blessed just as we are. I’ve always been a rebel of sorts about traditions, so I’m breaking the mold of Christmas letters and giving you a New Years letter.
Ray spent most of the year working. He found himself transferred to the flight line down at Lockheed Martin in February. While working up close with the actual plane had it’s high points, the stress level, demands and overtime were taxing. It came to a final payoff of sorts in November when the plane had first flight and just this week he has made a transition to an area that is more suited for him. While working 6 and 7 days a week, Ray still managed to find time for the family, be scoutmaster for the boyscout troop at church and lay new flooring in the good majority of our house.
Allison spent most of the year running kids to and fro. She has started to hit the “taxi years” but still enjoys being mom to three great kids. She spends a lot of time volunteering, every Wednesday at the elementary school, as secretary to a new gifted and talented advocacy group she helped to start, and various jobs at church. Allison looks forward to her new opportunity to teach the 7 year olds at church this coming year.
Stella (10) spent most of the year reading and singing. She spent the whole year singing with The Texas Girls choir and enjoyed it very much. The organization is a great one, but she is taking a leave of absence so she can try other things this year. One of her goals in the 4th grade at school this year is to break the school record for most AR reading points. She is well on her way and we are quite proud of her many accomplishments!
Cambria (7) spent most of the year smiling and learning. She is always full of joy no matter what she’s doing and has really blossomed into a great student in 1st grade. Cambria tried soccer this past season and really enjoyed it and is thinking about what she wants to try next. She constantly amazes us with what she can do. Both Cambria and Stella have no inflammation from their arthritis at this time which is a true miracle and blessing!
Kyle (4) spent most of the year building and growing. He loves to build things and fix things. Kyle goes one morning a week to museum school where he learns about animals, plants, bodies and even the moon and stars. He will be starting Kindergarten in August of this year! Kyle loves to have play dates with Grandma Candee and whenever Ray is home, Kyle is right behind him.
We were blessed to take a great trip as a family down to the coast of Texas this past summer. We stayed on the beach near Corpus Christi in our travel trailer and had a GREAT time! Allison and the kids also enjoyed a short visit to Iowa in August and had a wonderful time with those she was able to visit. We plan on staying close to home this year, so we hope any and all of you will come visit us here in Texas!