Christmas letter 2008

Hey all!

We thought we'd send our Christmas letter fashionably late this year so as to make a noticeable statement -- it wasn't that we were disorganized and behind schedule at all.

Our biggest most recent news took place in 2007. On December 6th we welcomed Cara Noelle into our home. She arrived six weeks early and weighed 5 pounds 4 ounces. Thankfully she was healthy as a horse. She's a happy little girl and I'm loving having another female in the house. She just turned one and among her first words are "Dora" and "backpack", and no I never let my children watch TV.

Eli, our child with the angelic face and demonic soul -- just kidding -- his face really isn't all that angelic (ha ha), is enjoying his first year of preschool. Tuesdays and Thursdays he attends a local program and another two days each week he and I participate in a co-op preschool. I get to teach him every fourth week and it's fun for both of us. And yes in case you were wondering, I keep him busy four mornings a week because I NEED a break from my precious munchkin.

Joel's becoming quite the little swimmer. Always afraid of completely submerging his head under water, he overcame his fear this past summer and is now happily paddling away as often as he can get to a pool. His current game show obsession is The Price is Right and he asked Santa Claus for the Wii version of aforementioned show. After finding and opening his new game he was immediately off to play it, his other presents no where near as paramount.

Kelly's busy working, working and working some more at Northrop Grumman. Still, in spite of his super busy schedule he still makes time to be a great husband and father. Cara has been our worst sleeper and it's usually Kelly that gets up to quiet her during her middle of the night crying jags. Thank you honey, you're the best!

I'm of course doing the mommy thing and I love my little rugrats in spite of their temper tantrums, potty accidents and bouts of the flu. They wear me out, but the sweet things they say and do make everything worth it.

Last summer, Joel picked a rose from the backyard, brought it over to me and said, "Mom, you're nice, you're beautiful and you're fantastic!"

I mean in what other job would I get such precious and loving feedback? Quite the perk!

Here's hoping that you and your family are happy and doing well.

Warmest wishes!

Kelly, Amy, Joel, Eli and Cara Ethington