In case you missed it, we skipped the Christmas letter last year. Don’t fret, it was just that we got too busy and never really got to it. No excuse, I know but that’s what happened.

We got it together this year and not only will we be sending out cards, we are also going back to Oklahoma and Kansas to visit family for the holidays.

Alex is now in 8th grade, ushering in his teenage years this year. He continues to grow physically and in his love for anything that has to do with computers and the weather. He still enjoys playing basketball and of course, his GameCube (I still can’t beat him at any game he has or rents!)

Stephanie, now 11, is still my little Renaissance girl. Along with her studies, she enjoys reading any book we buy her and playing the piano which is sounding more and more like a concert every day. She is blossoming beautifully from a young girl into a young lady; a fact I’m having to cope with. Daily results vary.

Carrie has kept busy continuing her correspondence courses in business, volunteering for numerous activities, and keeping the home fires lit. She made a good friend who she spent many days of the last half of the year with but unfortunately, her friend is moving back to St. Louis this month. She continues being the heart of this family and is kept busy making sure we have every advantage to seize each day. She is relentless with her consistency and success.

Buster, our dog, has not changed much. He still lives a dream of a life with constant food, a comfortable house, comfortable furniture to sleep on, and endless love from everyone in the house. Of course he’s oblivious to this although he showers us with endless kisses.

This year I ran 4 marathons in 4 states (California, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Virginia) plus a half marathon on the base. While my California race was the only one I scored a personal best (on trail marathons), the others were special for their completion only. I’m kept busy with my work, my training, my reading, my webpage, and answering email generated from the webpage. I sleep here and there, too.

As a family, we’ve drawn together as we pass our halfway point here in Virginia, getting ready for the big transition to civilian life in the summer of 2007. We are all too busy to succeed on our own and depend on each other for so many aspects of comfort, joy, and love. It takes each of us working together to enjoy our success as a family.

We want to wish you happy holidays. Our invitation is open to anyone who wants to visit us here in Virginia. Some of you have taken us up on that offer and we invite you back. For the others, we always have room and how many chances will you have to see our Nation’s Capitol complete with free transportation and tour guides?

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and God Bless You all.

Love, Jason, Carrie, Alex, Stephanie, and Buster

*** Please note our email and webpage addresses***

jason@grose.us
carrie@grose.us
http://www.grose.us