Old Habits

I know the saying is cliche but it is true - old habits die hard! I was sitting at the stop light the other night going to pick up one of the kids from practice, waiting to make a right turn. There was no cross traffic - but I waited until the light turned green to go! Now to most of my friends, this seems really silly and can't figure out what I mean by old habits, but my European friends completely understand what I mean; in Europe, you cannot take a right on a red light! Having spent the last (almost) 4 years back in the U.S., one would think that I broke this habit a long time ago - not so! I find when I do not pay attention, my European driving habits and rules are fully in effect in my head. So if you are at a red light, waiting to make a right turn, and the crazy woman in the car ahead of you is sitting there not even looking at cross traffic - not moving, it is probably me!! Give her some slack and realize she is not acclimated to U.S. driving customs yet!

Christmas letter for 2011

I didn't realize that I had neglected my blog this long! I apologize to all my faithful (if you still exist) readers! To catch you up on the past year, read on for our annual Christmas letter.

Happy Holidays Friends and Family!
We are still in the very (un)wintery state of Minnesota! This winter we are experiencing a lack of that frozen white stuff on the ground - much to my liking!! As I sit here trying to remember all the fun, exciting things that we did this year, I can only concentrate on wondering what adventures the new year will bring. As I contemplate the new adventures, here's a recap of what last year brought us.

Michael
Michael graduated 6th grade in May. He started junior high in the fall! Boy do I feel old! He played soccer all summer long and then decided to join the soccer team at his school in the fall. This winter, he decided to join the ski team. The junior high students play on the high school sports teams so he is playing against much older kids. He manages to hold his own against the older kids and we can see major improvements in his play. He is thinking of joining the track team in the spring. I am really trying to encourage this because I love to run!

Nathan
Nathan finished his freshman year of high school in the spring. He also played soccer all summer long. He started his sophomore year this fall and played on the varsity soccer team. We were pretty impressed at how well he adjusted to varsity level play because he has always been the kid who disliked the pressure of really competitive sports and only played for fun. Once again he swims on the school swim team. He has already made a new PR in his favorite stroke - breaststroke - and is hopping to make it to the state swim meet this year. He is planning on concentrating on his classes in the spring so he will not play any sports.

Barry
Barry completed yet another year of recruiting and continues to do well at his job. This summer he took the kids on a camping trip to South Dakota in the middle of a heat wave! They had fun camping, swimming in the lake, and jet skiing with the Uncles while Barry relaxed in the shade or in the water. He is counting down the months (18) until he can submit his retirement paperwork and become a stay-at-home dad.

Vicki
I started the year out with my last semester of classes before student teaching. All the hard work studying payed off because I made the Dean's list (again) my last semester. I played chauffeur in the summer taking the kids to their soccer games and helped coach Michael's soccer team. In the fall I student-taught in a First Grade classroom. I had the best time teaching first graders to read, write, and understand math. Then in December, I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education! The new year finds me job hunting!

We trust everyone had a wonderful Christmas and holiday break! We hope the new year brings you good fortune, delightful memories, and plenty of fun!