Seasons Greetings

Might as well start with the big news, first: AT got his MA in May! He still sporadically prances around in his Masters of the Universe underoos, chanting “I have the power!” Really, it's not as disturbing as the police make it out to be. His euphoria was short-lived, however, as he was forced to recognize that he still has another gazillion years before earning a PhD. It was, perhaps, a method of self-medication, then, that he and Pulcheria took up a running regime in March that continues to the present. They even completed a 5K race together on Thanksgiving morning. Those who've known AT for a while know what a reversal this is (i.e., running, even when not being chased by vicious animals). Additionally, AT is also running an effective campaign to bring back Mormon beards as the preferred fashion. The bishop's second counselor may not have much pull, but at least he can sit on the stand. With a beard. Hmm. Perhaps he needs a campaign manager. Volunteers, anyone?

Pulcheria made monumental strides to beef up her already impressive resume this year. She is now a de facto certified chef, party planner, decorator, nurse, administrative assistant, chauffeur, educator, judge, maid/laundress, hostess, tour guide, editor, and manager – just to name a few of her positions. But in all seriousness, she still feels spoiled to be able to stay home with the girls, and be a guinea pig for AT's culinary experiments: bread, mustard, cranberry sauce, brownies, etc. Pulcheria has continued to stave off potential child-withdrawal at church, by serving in the Nursery. On a related note, she has become a world-authority on symptoms of the common cold. She also recently joined a new book club and was thrilled to find one in St. Louis that is completely her style!

Beemer is a smart and quite precocious five year old. In September she started her second year of pre-school and she loves everything about it, especially her classmates and teacher. Beemer also likes to play dress-up with her sister, read books to anyone who will listen, and do about anything outside (she proudly states that she is a “bug-holding girl”). She loved catching fireflies and toads with Grandma and Grandpa in May. One of the highlights of her year was finding a monarch butterfly chrysalis in our backyard, watching the butterfly hatch, and setting it free the next day. She is always singing around our home and is an excellent hostess when we have visitors. For some reason yet to be explained, she has started asking when she will get her own pair of underoos.

Audi will be two in February. She took her first steps in March and then decided it wasn't all that and waited to try again until May. However, immediately after she decided that walking was the thing to do, she started climbing – everything! She is a passionate climber (furniture, not rocks, yet) and isn't frightened by much. She tries hard to keep up with Beemer and loves to do everything her sister does! Audi is very musically inclined, and will stop and dance whenever she hears music and sings molto rubato in church whether she knows the words or not! Those who
have witnessed her in action know that she is an active girl with a fun personality who keeps us all laughing!

As a family this year, we have settled more into life in St. Louis and taken better advantage of all of the things to do here! We have made new friendships and strengthened old ones. We are grateful to be together and share our lives each day and we are looking forward to the new
experiences that 2010 will offer.

Happy Holidays!