Directions: |
Directions: December 2008
Dear Friends and Family,
Clyde and Chris are STILL working at ATK. Chris completed her 25th year in December. Clyde’s looking forward to his 30th service anniversary this June. They also still play the role of chauffer, although according to Annemarie, that won’t last much longer. They travel, play euchre with neighbors, and work hard. (The kids wrote this paragraph—note we only rate four lines between the two of us!)
Annemarie is now a sophomore at Avon Grove HS, and is finding it more challenging than ever. The Marching Band got a new director this year, which led to a very interesting band camp experience, a West Side Story theme field show, and many successes. She continues to dance at OCD, in her ninth year where she enjoys ballet, jazz, modern, and tap and added hip hop and lyrical dance to her list this year. She achieved her Silver Award in Girl Scouts this summer, sewing many many quilts for a women’s shelter. She also ventured out to a new camp, Camp Mosey Wood in the Poconos this year. From there she backpacked the Adirondack trails, hiked the 11th highest peak in the Adirondacks, and explored Lake Placid and the Olympic training center, while enjoying all the base camp had to offer. Shortly after Christmas, she will be traveling to Camp Laughing Waters, also in PA, for Winter Camp. In September she turned 16, and got her PA learner’s permit. According to Annemarie, driving has been going quite well. She also enjoys spending time with her friends, reading, and watching Gilmore Girls.
Allison is now with Annemarie at Avon Grove High School. She is a freshman and is adapting to the many differences and challenges. Allison also continued to dance for her ninth year at Oxford Center for Dance. She enjoys taking jazz, ballet, modern, tap, and the newest style at OCD, lyrical. She also takes hip-hop; we will see how that goes since the teacher is always telling the class they are “too ballet!” She is now in C-D ballet which allows her to audition for Can-Can in January. Can-Can has always been a childhood dream of Allison. After cramming all this into her schedule she finds time to watch football (GIANTS), watch her favorite shows Grey’s Anatomy and CSI, (NY and Miami) and of course hang out with her friends. A few weeks ago Allison and Clyde went to Dallas, Texas, for a Cowboys vs. Giants game. They both had a great time, and even though the Giants lost Allison made the best of it.
Connor is now an 8th grader enjoying his second year of Fred S. Engle Middle School. He continued baseball this year as well as the middle school band and the school robotics program. In his free time he likes to play video games such as Call of Duty 4 and Guild Wars, read, and talk to his friends. He has just earned the rank of Star in Boy Scouts and is currently holding the leadership position of Chaplain’s Aid. Over the summer Connor showed his leadership skills by leading a patrol of his scout troop and earning multiple awards such as the silver buckle, 100% patrol award, and being tapped into the Order of the Arrow while at camp.
Sarah is now a 6th grader at Avon Grove Intermediate, and is enjoying her last year at AGI. She continues to dance at OCD, in her 7th year. She enjoys ballet, jazz, modern, and tap, and has also added lyrical this year. She continues in Girl Scouting, hoping to obtain her Bronze and Silver Awards. As a 6th grader, she participated in her first year of trumpet playing in a band. The 6th grade band performed very well at their winter concert. She attended GS camp for a week this year at Tweedale, enjoying the canoes, kayaks, swimming, crafts, and much more. Her favorite activities revolve around her friends and our neighborhood. She finds time to spend time with many of the kids within our neighborhood as well as many from school. She enjoys playing inside and outside, watching Disney channel, and our dog, Rocket.
Rocket is now almost 3 years old, and enjoys playing inside and out. He likes to follow people around and eat people food. He loves playing with cousin Dash, and was surprised to get another cousin this year, Princess. He keeps everyone comfy, warm, and happy.
One big event worth mentioning this year was, in May, we co-hosted with Ken a 50th Anniversary Party for Oma and Opa. We had a great crowd, good food, lots of help from the grandchildren, and tons of fun and fond memories. Clyde and Ken and Ken’s friends Steve and Tim and all the kids played basketball for hours.
In addition to our annual trips to the Outer Banks and Maine, we traveled to Ithaca, NY for friend Noah Machlin’s Bar Mitzvah. We had a great time, learned a lot, and enjoyed old friends and meeting new people. Unfortunately, we didn’t get much chance to enjoy the scenery since we left Friday night in the dark after the marching band performance and the weather in Ithaca was cloudy at best and pouring a good bit of the time.
As a group, the kids are really growing up. Daycare is behind us, but the dollars we used to spend there are consumed through endless activities. It’s been fascinating watching all four try to understand the news from the election to the wars to the economy.
Having three teens and a tween is never dull. In fact this year we added texting to our family cell phone plan; we have had some interesting experiences with that one. The days and weeks fly by and before we know it, another year has passed. We love being this busy even though it makes us crazy (and late sending holiday cards!). We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We hope 2009 brings all good things.
Merry Christmas from the Carrs
Clyde and Chris
Annemarie and Allison
Connor and Sarah |
This recipe for 2008 is from