Christmas Greetings 2010

I always enjoy Christmas card season. 

First, it disciplines me to reflect on the blessings of the year.  Life can be so hectic that we don't allow ourselves the time to consider the joys and trials of the year and how we are impacted.  I am sure no one really cares how many softball or soccer games we sat through or the details of every developmental stage of a toddler... but as a mom is fun to think back over the year.

Second, I love receiving all your cards!  Call me old-fashioned but there is just something about pulling that envelope out of the mailbox.  My grandmother passed away rather suddenly this Fall.  My mom found boxes of letters that she had saved.  What a treasure to be able to read them decades later.  And, after the holidays we like to pull a Christmas card from the basket each night at dinner and pray for that family.  So if you don't send us a card, we won't pray for you - haha.

Scott has been busy building Kregel & Company CPA for the past 18 months.  It's been exciting to watch the business grow.  This Fall he hired another employee and expanded his office space.  He continues to run and set a personal record in the Steamtown Marathon this Fall - 3 hrs. 2 mins.  He and a neighbor had fun this summer coaching Ella's soccer team.

Makenna turned 10 this summer and she's in the 5th grade.  Most of the time you will find her reading 700 page books!  However, she also enjoys playing the piano & flute, singing at church, playing softball, and emailing her friends.  Learning sign language is her goal for this year.  This is the first time in many years that she did NOT have to have ear tubes!  Now that she has the industrial stength tubes, they will actually have to be surgically removed someday.

Ella turned 8 this Fall and she is in 2nd grade.  She has blossomed into our little artist and she did well in soccer.  She is also playing piano.  Ella is very sensitive and helpful to others.   She loves reading, playing outdoors with friends, and American Girl.

Owen celebrated his birthday on Monday.  Not sure where the last three years went... the crib is gone and so are the diapers.  Bittersweet.  He makes us laugh everyday (and gives a few headaches too!).  The child talks incessantly with a vocabulary that continues to amaze me.  Although he has been highly influenced by his two older sisters (and knows the names of all the American Girls), he is also 300% boy.  He has no fear.  At the end of this week, he will be having double surgery to repair a hernia and put in the second set of ear tubes. (Guess he is making up for Makenna's "year-off"!)

I have increased my hours working for the business this year...and am actually enjoying it.  On the homefront the "daily operations" keep me hopping, as well as RPM class, Bible Study, & the occasional book.  I enjoy planning our traveling adventures too.  In May, we had a memorable trip to Disney with Scott's parents,  We made our 54 hour round trip trek to Minnesota again this summer (with stops to see family/friends in Indy, St. Louis, & Chicago).  We spent an amazing Fall weekend in New England with dear friends.  Thanksgiving found us in snow covered Minnesota with David & family. 

Wishing your family a blessed Christmas season.  We truly have much to be thankful for.
Merry Christmas!
Scott, Amy, Makenna, Ella & Owen