the spirit and the letter

our holiday cards recently went out, and while we did not include a letter unsolicitedly detailing what we've been up to, we did add an entreaty to visit the blog to find out our goings-on.

so ... for all those newly visiting or our regular fans in the mood for a recap ... here's how we spent our 2009 (it's been a big year!):

in january we welcomed miss anna jennings mershon (a.k.a. annie) to our family. she could not be a sweeter, more wonderful addition to our family. she was born amid an ice storm but she melted our hearts.

in february, we came home from the hospital with annie and inaugurated a new blog, while saying goodbye to the blog that chronicled jack's 2 1/2 years as an only child. annie learned to smile, we enjoyed a visit from grandma and grandpa, and mommy learned to cope with two children instead of one (assuming you count jack as only one child).

march was in like a lion and out like a lamb. at least we think it was. it was a blur. but we enjoyed annie's continuing growth, jack's many antics, celebrating st. patrick's day and spending time with family and friends.

april found annie sitting and holding her head up, jack continuing to relish his role as big brother, aunt megan visiting from california, and all four of us taking a fantastic trip to florida to celebrate easter and visit with grandma and grandpa. it was our first family trip to sea world -- and then we were joined by aunt amy, uncle bill and cousins brady and parker. april also found us with a spot of bad luck -- a large tree limb that crashed on to our house and required a major roof/attic repair that took months to complete ...

in may mommy returned to work -- with a vengeance. on day two back from maternity leave, she was in russia and italy for 4 days. the following week? ghana. it made for an interesting month, but daddy and the kids all managed well. annie began rolling over and we spent more time with friends, including a memorial day crab feast! annie was baptized at the same church in which mommy and daddy were married and family and friends gathered at our house to celebrate.

june was full and busy -- jack's school wrapped up for the year and he celebrated his third birthday. we had a party at the house and grandma and grandpa, who had just visited the previous weekend for annie's baptism, were able to return to celebrate -- along with nana and grandad and a number of friends. annie developed even more personality and brought us much joy.

in july, we celebrated independence day and worked on independence from diapers for jack. we're pleased to say both were successes!

august brought our annual trip to the beach with friends. this year it was 10 kids and 10 adults -- 20 of us all in one big house on the outer banks of north carolina! it was chaotic and maybe a little crazy, but tons of fun. annie started eating solid foods and our smashed roof from april was finally fixed -- along with some other home improvement projects which it inspired.

september was back to school time -- both nursery and sunday. while jack enjoyed time in the classroom, annie enjoyed some one-on-one time in the mornings without her big brother around so she could develop new skills. even daddy went back to school -- celebrating his 20th high school reunion with friends from lakeview high.

in october, we embarked on some first field trips. jack's was to the pumpkin patch. annie's was to the capitol. mommy and daddy's was to amelia island, florida for a dear friend's wedding and a much-needed getaway while grandma and grandpa babysat. all were smashing successes. the kids also enjoyed halloween -- especially jack who dressed as his most revered role model -- a fire fighter. annie, of course, was the sidekick dalmation.

in november, we celebrated all we had to be thankful for -- annie and jack both getting so big and growing so beautifully (annie even began standing by herself), and wonderful times shared throughout the year. jack treated us to an inimitable and unforgettable 3-year-old's telling of the story of the first thanksgiving before our family meal.

and here we are in december. we've gotten our christmas tree and decked the halls with boughs of holly. we've had adventures, travels, and fun times with friends and family. and we are so blessed to have had such a wonderful year.

we hope you and yours have a wonderful holiday and a prosperous 2010!