Dear Friends,
Merry Christ.... um.... Happy New Ye.... whoops.
Wow, where does the time go? Sure, Decembers are always hectic, but this one REALLY got away from us. You've probably felt like something was missing from your holidays, and the New Year somehow seemed empty. Well never fear, we are going to fix that for you right now, because this is The Belated Casey Family Christmas Letter!
2003 Started and ended in the snow for us. In February, Jenny was greeted on her birthday by the effects of heavy rain falling on record snows, and all of it finding its way into our basement. But the waters receded, and thanks to Nana and Papa Geltmaker's help, a new closet was built and the basement re-painted to be reclaimed as our teen age daughter's room. In December, we set out on our first family ski trip with family friends, the Wades, and the kids took to it like lil Franz Klammers.
Yes, you heard that right, Katie turned 13 in 2003, beginning her eight year odessy through teenager-dom. We will now have teenagers around here until Colleen turns 20 in the year 2016, God Help Us! Currently a 7th Grader, Katie enjoys managing her own X-men role-playing web site, and writing stories that she hopes to see published.
Spring and summer brought us outdoors for fun and travel. Colleen learned to ride a bike and demonstrated her grace in ballet slippers at dance class. Colleen turned 7 this year and is in the 2nd grade. Almost toothless, she did not receive the four front teeth she was counting on for Christmas, but she did get a bigger bike.
A homework assignment of Will's to produce a family tree sparked Chris' latest obsession, genealogy. Thanks to the wealth of information to be found online, and his lack of a boss who might try to keep him doing actual paying work, Chris has made great progress filling in the leaves and branches of our family tree (if you're reading this and aren't sure who we are, you're probably a distant cousin he's tracked down). In June he met with brother Kevin in Chicago where they visited relatives living and departed, and learned much about our family history. Turns out we're foreigners, who knew?
August brought us home to California for a wonderful vacation on the beach, and a 20-year High School Reunion of Chris' that reunited many life-long friends. Many of our progeny met for the first time, and it seemed like they already knew each other.
Fall brought us back home and back to school, and gave Will many opportunities to shine. Recently 11, Will had his best season ever on the Soccer field this fall. And as one of the 5th grade rulers of his elementary school, he was selected to read the daily announcements. His clear and calm voice starts each day for teachers and classmates alike.
Jennifer's newest hobby will help keep us warm through the winter. So far three quilts have come off of her assembly line, and each is certified cozy and a keepsake we'll treasure (online sales coming soon!). She managed this even while returning to the classroom again as a part-time special education teacher.
We hope that you had a wonderful holiday. We enjoyed your cards and letters, and are humbled by your ability to get them sent on time! We hope that 2004 brings you health, happiness, and most of all, a newly 'elected' President :-)
With love from all of us,
Chris, Jennifer, Katie, Will & Colleen
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