Christmas Letter 2003

Happy Holidays from Our Family to Yours

The biggest news of the year has to be our move from Missouri to Minnesota. Gary received a great job transfer offer (still with 3M), and it was too good to pass up. So... telling him once again that I must REALLY love him, we packed up and moved north in July of this year. We found a house in White Bear Township, where 80% of the homes have a white bear statue somewhere on the front lawn. In New Ulm it was gnomes; here, it’s bears. Must be a Minnesota thing. The previous owner took the bear that was on the lawn of our house when he moved. If he had left it behind, I was planning on taking black paint and turning it into a panda. Sarah would have loved that.

Six Year Old Sarah
likes:

• playing computer games
• Sesame Street beanie babies
• riding in Daddy’s truck
• pandas
• taking a bath
• homework (that will change!)
• spinning on her Sit ‘n Spin
• making (subtle) jokes

dislikes:

• Madilyn’s tantrums (don’t we all)
• friends so far away
• answering any question that includes the word “why?”

Bottom line: She’s made great progress in the last year! Moving was hard (for all of us), but she’s bouncing back.

Two Year Old Madilyn
likes:

• growing taller (wears size 4T already)
• using the word NO
• talking continuously
• jumping
• Spongebob Squarepants (don’t ask)
• playing with her friend Molly
• Dragon Tales
• randomly screaming
• smiling all the time

dislikes:

• being told what to do
• sharing
• sleeping in her own bed

Bottom line: completely normal (adorable) 2 year old – something we’re not used to!! Because we’re the P---, there’s always a home improvement project (or two, or three) underway, but don’t let the construction stop you… we love to have visitors! Our doors are always open, and no one has to work if they don’t want to. Honest!

Wishing you peace, joy, and love in the coming year. We miss you!