Aarika:
Aarika has continued her dancing. She's also enjoying Kindergarten. Reading, Writing, Art, and I think her favorite is Math. Braden brings home practice math sheets and Aarika swipes them and solves all the equations. One of her best surprises was having a wall in her bedroom painted Pink, with Matching bed spread, pillows and dust ruffle.

Killer B:
Braden participated in the Scotts Valley/San Lorenzo Valley Soccer Club. The coach had nick names for many of the children. Since Braden had his buddy Brandon on the team, the coach called them the Killer B's. Braden also treats us to stories he reads aloud, and has been a great help with all the digging and yard work.

Detra:
This year Detra thought she'd try her hand at lion taming, err...umm... after-school care. She didn't realize how busy she could be with trying to care for a puppy, living in a house that is "being fixed", and encouraging Braden and Aarika to do homework. She's found that the job is more demanding than she expected, but very rewarding. At the Christmas show she wanted pictures of this child, and that child, and all of those kids -- basically all the children on the stage!

Devon:
With last years letter Devon expressed an interest in "off-road" recreation. And he's happy to say that his off road vehicle has been off-road, Twice. He found a group on the web, the "Northern California Trooper Club", and has gone to the Hollister Hills State Recreational Vehicle Area with his new friends. Braden went on the first trip in February, and both Aarika and Braden went on the most recent trip this month.

Devon also coached an Under 8 girls soccer team (Braden's Classmates). The season was a great success because nearly all the girls on the team scored goals during the league games.

New Addition
Just after making the largest purchase of our lives, Detra, and I were having a little celebration (A sandwich lunch). While trying to calm down, we met a little white furball. A 6week old puppy. After talking to the owner we found that it was for sale. Detra was HOOKED! Can't we wait I asked? No. Can't we let her hold onto the dog for a couple weeks? No.

After taking Braden and Aarika to meet the mini energy ball, Detra brought home "Mc Duff", a West Highlands White Terrier. Aarika and Braden named the dog, and despite my attempts to name the dog Sputnik, he's commonly called "Duffy".

When you visit, remember that it's best not to wear white clothing. Though he may look like a clean white puppy, one brief encounter can leave you with brown streaks of mud on your pants and shirt.

Big Purchase
We had decided that 3 bedrooms was becoming an important thing to have. After telling Detra we'd start looking for a place at the beginning of this year, she was ready to move January 1. We looked at houses and put in bids. That's a very difficult process your first time through, especially if you get attached to someplace quickly.

Finally we found a 3 bedroom 1 bath fixer. Well, let's say the key word is FIXER. And despite getting the house in May, there's still lots of fixin' left to do. However we are making progress, and even in the last weeks, the house had gotten to be much more of a home! Must be something to do with some new furniture in the living room.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
We hope to have a chance to visit all of you sometime during this next year. And we welcome you to visit us as we continue to work on our home. May God bless you and keep you safe.