The Christmas Letter You've Been Waiting For

So, since I didn't ever get around to writing a letter to go with my Christmas cards this year, I figured there's no opportunity like the present to give you a taste of what that might have been like:

Dear Friends and Family,

Here's wishing that this letter finds you as happy and prosperous as our small family has certainly been this year.  It's been a year full of excitement, prosperity and adventure, and we only hope that you may have experienced the fulfillment that we were certainly able to enjoy in every area of our lives during 2011.

It certainly has been a pleasure to find that Alan remains at the same place of employment that the holidays found us in last year at this time.  This is undoubtedly a  minor miracle in itself, and also continued proof that this crazy recession thing that the kids keep talking about may actually be a thing of the past. He is continuing to enjoy his position there as Supply Analyst and has become quadrilingual over the past year or so (in speaking with suppliers for his position, of course) in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Southern Redneck.  Alan continues to enjoy spending his spare time in a mentoring ministry with the church, participating in the scouting program, teaching a first and second grade Sunday School class, and meeting his darling wife's every need. Alan has practically developed a second, if unpaid career in trip planning for his family and created  wonderful visits to Atlanta, GA over Memorial Day weekend,  to Philadelphia/Lancaster County/Hershey, Pennsylvania this summer, Myrtle Beach in late October, and to various campgrounds throughout the year. He has quite the knack for creating the zaniest adventures for his adoring family.

Julie continues to flourish as a young executive in the small business world community.  Her speech pathology private practice, now in its second year of operation, has grown from a practice of one to a practice of three and sometimes even four employees.  She continues to operate and spread her sunshine in several daycares in the community.  How she is able to balance running a highly successful business, keeping such a tidy, happy home, and still be so witty and charming, one can only guess!  Julie continues her love for photography, singing, and all things Alan.

Matthew and Michael continue their third and first grade academic careers respectively in the local public school system. Never ones to shy away from sharing their wealth of knowledge, the boys have been able to provide guest lectures in their classrooms on various topics such as "Prehistoric Life: The Carnivores Among Us" and "The Effect of Narwhal Hunting During the 19th Century."  Being well-rounded children, they are also involved with Cub Scouts, youth basketball, creek exploration, Lego engineering, and various other community and church activities.  Matthew, especially, has become greatly involved with local community theater this year with lead roles in "Mulan" and  "Schoolhouse Rocks" and an upcoming role in Spring 2012 in "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory".  It has been suggested that the range of emotion that he is able to bring to his roles is something to behold, and yet his flair for the dramatic is most often observed in the everyday situations of cleaning his room or making his bed.  Where he gets this dramatic gift, we can't even begin to imagine! 

The Casey family continues to find great joy in their dear pets.  Lucy is our quiet/monstrously loud, gentle/energetic beagle who is most often found lounging on the bed and sharing her delicious doggie odor around the home.  While we had (what we can only surmise was) a death in the family in the loss of our precious guinea pig Otis (as he was carried off by a hawk in early November), we also had an addition to the family in the form of our new kitten Charlie who joined us in August.  While he has only been with the family for a few months, it is clear that Charlie feels that it is we who now reside in his home.  And aside from the ant and mouse infestation of summer and the occasional snake sighting, a happy, if malodorous home it is. 

As 2011 comes to a close, we can only greet with great anticipation the exploits that await us in the upcoming year.  We love to visit with those that are near and dear to our hearts, so please let us know when you are available, and we would treasure a visit with you in 2012.

                                                Wishing you much love, peace, and happiness,

                                                 Alan, Julie, Matthew, and Michael

                                                 as well as Lucy and Charlie