Our Christmas Newsletter...

I would like to claim that putting our Christmas newsletter online is am effort to go green and save trees...but the truth is I just didnt get it done in time to include it in the actual cards. Although we have found a pretty good routine with both kiddos, life is still pretty crazy in the D10 household. Crazy...but wonderful. Here is a recap of our 2007....

Our year started off on a wonderful note when we welcomed daddy home from four and a half months in Iraq. Kurt left a wife an 8 month old son...and returned to a one year old and a pregnant wife. Soon after his return we found out that Keegan would have a little sister and could not have been happier about this addition to our family. Nervous...but excited none the less....

Our next big adventure was leaving Clovis, New Mexico and the fresh smell of cows and heading back to Phoenix. It was an exciting new chapter of our lives yet bittersweet since we had to leave Keegans first home and many wonderful friends. We found a wonderful house to rent for our few years here and with teh help of family tried to get all settled in before Reese arrived. The key word here is TRY. I soon figured out how little I accomplished with a toddler and a huge belly. As ashamed as I am to admit it, there are still a few boxes that need to be unpacked.

Kurt became and instructor pilot in the F-16 and started into the routine at work. It was a great change of pace for us that includes Kurt being in town most of the time and even being home for dinner most nights. Can you even imagine how happy the kids and I were to have daddy around more:)

In May we welcomed Reese Elizaeth and our lives changed drastically. It was a smooth transition thanks to both grandmas being her for the big event. Keegan instantly loved his new sis and our lives as a family of four was off to a good start. A sleepy, but good start:) Although sleep deprivation made the first few months a bit blurry we had never smiled and laughed so much.

We went home in June to introduce Reese to the rest of the family in Ohio and also to celebrate Aunt Lisa getting her masters degree. It was a wonderful visit and we got to catch up with lots of people we hadnt seen in a while. After our Ohio visit, my sister and her family came to AZ to visit and everyone had a blast. Keegan went through major withdrawl after all of the attention...and Reese had to learn to sleep in her crib again since she was heldfor about 3 weeks.

Keegan and Reese were also lucky to have Grandma and Grandpa D (aka Nonnie and Boppa)visit a few more times just to play. We also have tried our best to get to know the people in our squadron and in our neighborhood...although nap and eating schedules make it a little tricky to get out of the house on a regular basis.

Kurt went to Alabama for 5 weeks of training and Aunt Lisa visited. We were even brave enough to take the kiddos to Sedona for some sightseeing. The rest of the trip consisted on sunbathing, swimming and enjoying the kids. Since I had some extra hands I headed back to Ohio when Lisa left and let the kids visit with the family once again. I was so excited to enjoy the fall weather with the kids...but it was almost 90 degrees the entire time we were home. The pumpkin patch is not so fun when you are sweating. Kurts parents returned with the kids and I and went to San Diego for the week. It was beautiful and I am so glad we went...but we needed a vacation from our vacation since the kids slept terribly the entire time. Traveling with kids is not for the non-adventurous.

Now we find ourselves in the holiday spirit and very thankful for everything in our lives. We spent Thanksgiving with friends and Keegan enjoyed the large amounts of food. His favorite was of course all the desert:)

We have enjoyed getting into the holiday spirit with festivities in the neighborhood and the squadron. Reese likes Santa...especially yanking on his beard. Keegan is not so fond of the man in the red suit but does like the fact that he gives out toys. The other day he saw a man in a red hooded sweatshirt walking his dogs and started saying "anta" (you know...toddler for Santa) and squeaking like he saw Rudolph do in the movie. Apparently he though our neighbor and his dogs were Santa and his reindeer. He is developing quite and imagination.

The tree is up, the house is decorated and we are looking forward to being together as a family on Christmas morning. And rumor has it that Santa may have gone a little crazy on presents this year. I guess not sleeping through the night and refusing to eat your vegetables does not add you to Santas naughty list:)

We hope you and your family have had a wonderful year filled with many blessings also. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year!!!!

Love

Annie, Kurt, Keegan and Reese

If you want to see more pics just check out the older posts on this sight!!!!