Our Christmas Card

Dear Friends and Family,

What a year it’s been.  2012 has been one of the most joyful ones ever. 

After a year, we feel like we’ve finally settled into the DC area.  We can even find our way around without GPS (most of the time).  We’re getting good at keeping our heads down through hurricanes, earthquakes and derechos (derecho [dey-RAY-cho ] noun. Big wind storm that knocks power out for 4 

days, in July heat, when the in-laws are in town). 

Leo turned one in November and we couldn’t be happier with our little guy.  He is very curious and likes to look around and touch everything.  His favorite activity is to climb the stairs.  We can’t keep him off them.  We’ll turn around and there’s a giggle at the top of the stairs.  It gives his mom a heart attack every time.  He especially loves books of any kind and can often be found flipping through one. 

Gentri is happy to spend her days with Leo.  It has been a year of helping him to learn and grow.   She has been very active in mom groups and with her church activities.  Every week she spends an evening in the glass studio melting glass, making hollow beads and icicles.  She is looking forward to mastering new techniques but especially learning about boro glass in the next year.  She has also been teaching classes at the bead store.  

Heber has finally accepted the fact that DC traffic has forced him to rise before 6:00 a.m. to keep his commute reasonable.   Thankfully he’s got a good carpool buddy to keep him awake. He’s continued his work at the Naval Research Laboratory on a space satellite project.  He’s been exploring biking trails in the area and has found several opportunities to ride with buddies.  Weekly guitar lessons have been paying off and he loves coming home and helping Leo to learn how to crawl and climb the stairs.  He is not above bribing Leo with popsicles and ice cream. 

Living on the East Coast, we were able to get out and see some wonderful sites.  We spent a weekend in the Shenandoah Mountains (we so miss our mountains) and saw our first Civil War Reenactment.  We celebrated a Lincoln summer and visited Fords Theatre, Gettysburg and the Lincoln Memorial.  We welcomed visitors from across the US to come and stay with us and were able to see many of the DC sites. 

In September, we rented a house in the Outer Banks with some friends.  Heber fulfilled his dream to see where the Wright brothers took their first flight and Gentri braved the big waves and swam in the ocean.  Leo had the best time crawling in the sand and exploring.  We LOVED it and hope to spend many more vacations there. 

We have been so blessed by supportive family and friends this year.  You are welcome at our home anytime.  There’s a bed and basement “suite” waiting for you.  We promise lots of Leo kisses. 

We are so thankful for you and wish you the happiest and healthiest of new years!

Much love,     

Heber, Gentri and Leo