Tom, Jer & "the girls": Merry Christmas!

Well, hello there,

If you've gotten here, we're assuming that our Christmas card didn't end up at the bottom of the birdcage (for which we thank you) and you're

a) looking for further proof that we still are among the living

b) wondering what we've gotten ourselves into this year or

c) amazed that we actually took the time to do this and had to see it to believe it.

Whatever your reason, welcome.

Short version of our year: we're still in Danvers, Tom's still cooking, Jer's still not cleaning, Lena's still running, Ally's still darned cute (and obstinate) and the Lily (the dog) and Bit O' Honey (the cat) still barely tolerate each other. We're healthy, happy and enjoying our lives.

For those of you with a bit more patience and endurance (scroll to the end for pics if you're already out of patience), some highlights of our year..

Tom again enjoyed his guys' weekend ski trip in February. We are all very happy he returned without a concussion this year.
Lena celebrated her First Communion at an all-school Mass in early April. The support she received from teachers and classmates as she made this step was much appreciated.
Jer traveled to China in April to finish her EMBA and graduated in May. We are still waiting for her "free" time to appear.
Ally celebrated her First Communion in late April with her classmates. Another thank you to Tom and his mom for arranging and hosting the dinner afterwards as Jer was still floating through jetlag.
We traveled to Jackson Hole in July and calculated that we hiked over 35 miles at Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks during our weeklong visit...and, yet, somehow managed to come home at the same weight.
Lena started 7th grade and Ally entered 3rd grade in August. Luckily for Tom and Jer, only the girls are getting older...please, let us have our delusions...they keep us quite happy.
We enjoyed Labor Day weekend in Ladd visiting all three of Jer's grandmothers...sort of a Grandma Trifecta.
Lena took off over a minute and a half from last year's personal best during this fall's cross country season. Tom took off ten pounds by running with her.
Lena enjoys cheering for the Epiphany basketball teams. Even more to enjoy is that the squad only cheers at home games.
Ally is excited that she finally started tumbling classes this fall (even though she has to go with her sister).
We've enjoyed 2008 and now look forward to a happy and exciting Christmas with family and friends as well as seeing what 2009 has in store for us.

For friends we see often, thank you for brightening our lives. For friends that have moved to other locations throughout the country (you all know who you are!) we miss you, look forward to seeing you and give thanks for e-mail and nationwide calling plans! For friends we see or talk with not nearly often enough, you are often in our thoughts and our New Year's resolutions include getting back in touch.

We'll skip any more mushy sentiments and wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Tom, Jer, Lena & Ally

The Year in Pictures: