Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Christmas Letter 2011









Dear friends and family,

Frank and I decided that this year 2011 would be our slice of heaven, and it has been. Our reality usually follows our expectations. We enjoyed a wonderful trip to New York City last year during the holiday season where we saw the Rockettes, the Broadway musical Wicked, and the David Letterman show live. In late March and early April while Frank taught insurance agents we took in the Gila Cliff Dwellings and the Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico, the Guadalupe Mountains in Texas, and Vegas. June was a test of endurance as we attempted the Bike Across Kansas. We made it 100 miles before running into mechanical difficulty with our bikes. The end of June and first of July we visited Colorado and Utah while Frank trained. The end of July and first of August we enjoyed the Black Hills and the Badlands on another business trip. Labor Day Frank's brother David and his wife Sherry came to spend the weekend with us. We went to Liberty Memorial Museum in KC and to the lake. Late October found us in Eureka Springs enjoying family and the beautiful fall foliage.

Our family is doing well. We celebrated milestone birthdays with our moms this year. Frank's mom Alice turned 75 and my mom Joan turned 80. Chad graduated from Pitt State Suma Cum Laude in May. He is now teaching in Jasper, MO. Tori became a naturopathic doctor so she is busy with her practice in both Fort Smith and Eureka Springs, AR. Sierra is in junior high and receiving straight A's. Tori and Caleb's other two children are growing up quickly. Kaya is in kindergarten and Samson is three already. Caleb opened a drum shop and sells beautiful drums that he makes himself. Teresa and Jess are still in Kimball, NE, although we want them to move closer. Jess painted two beautiful murals for the library and sold her art in the park this summer in Eureka Springs, AR. She in involved in One Acts and won the Outstanding Actress Award this year. Dustin and Mandy live and work in KC as CNAs. Mandy is taking classes in hopes of becoming an LPN.

Our big news is that we are going to have a new grandbaby by Christmas. Jess and her boyfriend Alex are expecting a baby girl. I hosted a shower for them. They are young, but I know they will be good parents.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Come out and visit our Video Christmas Card!

Love,
Pat & Frank

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