Saturday, December 22, 2007

Christmas Letter



So this year my mom and dad said they weren't going to do a Christmas letter because nobody reads them anyway and something else about being too busy. I don't know what that's all about. At any rate, they said I could go ahead and take the mantle of generic Christmas correspondence so I am. I'm not sending this out via the mail because they also said that they wouldn't give me any stamps. As I haven't been able to convert my cuteness into a lucrative income, this blog posting will have to do.

This has been an eventful year, as every year has been for me. The year pretty much began with my birthday. I was given lots of neat stuff that I have been enjoying all year long. In January we went to San Francisco where my daddy went to some technical geek training on Enterprise Private Key Infrastructure or some such thing. You can read more about this trip here.

In late February we experience a sad event. My daddy's grandma died in her hospital bed in Pasadena. We just missed being able to visit her by a few hours. I never got to see her. Perhaps in Heaven. We went down to Point Loma (San Diego area) for the interment next to my Great Grandpa at the military cemetery on the bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. I got to meet all my daddy's family on his mommy's side. I was able to bring a little joy to a somber occasion. That is my gift.

Daddy has been working constantly on the bizillion home projects left over from the remodel. He finished a number of significant ones. Of note: bathroom shower tiled, back porch railing finished, concrete slab for shed and retaining wall poured, back yard fence mostly complete, old siding from original dwelling (from 1940) removed and replaced with Hardieplank siding, had new siding painted, installed new gutters, etc, etc. At any rate, his Saturday's have all been busy. I'm thankful that now with the weather being not as good he stays inside a little more. That should mean more play time with me and who wouldn't want that.

This was also a sad year of personal loss for all of us. There were two times this year where I almost had a sister (or brother) but God took her (or him) home to be with Him before we could meet her. I'm really looking forward to a brother or sister. Mommy and Daddy say that God is good and that in His perfect timing I will have a live-in playmate.

I've made a lot of progress this year. I went from crawling to running madly about the house all in a matter of a couple of days. One of my favorite things is to run around in circles until I am so dizzy I can't stand up. I've been working on perfecting cute - if there was indeed any way in which to improve on my unapproachable cuteness. I'm also making good progress on my language skills. I know how to count as long as it's two. I like the word "no" and find that it is a word that works in almost any situation. My favorite fruit "manananana" I call for with regularity. And, lastly my favorite drink "gluck."

We got to make our annual trek north to Idaho and Washington to visit my Grandpa and Grandma. I got to drive Grandpa's speed boat on Lake Coeur d'Alene which was lots of fun. That is until I started steering towards some rocks. Daddy put an end to that fun. With my Grandma Lynn we got to take a tour around some of the San Juan Islands where we got up close and personal with some very large whales. We also got see a demolition derby which seemed to entertain my father much more than any one else. I guess he likes to see people put themselves in mortal danger and destroy mobile assets in the process. I don't get it, but he's my daddy so it must be pretty cool.

In September we got to go camping: second time for me. It was fun. I especially liked the dirt and not especially the water. Later in September Mommy and Daddy went on a week long cruise to the Eastern Carri bean. Grandma Lynn came down and took care of me during the the time my parents were away. That was fun. She gave me lots of cool toys and changed my diapers and all the other fun things that come with taking care of me.

In October I flew out with Mommy to visit my grandparents, many cousins, uncles, aunts, etc, etc. I charmed them all. In November mommy's friend Amy from the Peace Corps came to visit to attend a shindig of Gambia Peace Corps people. I didn't know any of them prior to going but they got to know me. Auntie Linda came out to visit for Thanksgiving. It was fun having her here. She made lots of yummy pies and was a ray of sunshine to all whom she met.

I am looking forward to Christmas when we will celebrate Jesus' birth by opening lots of presents. We hope and pray all of you will have a Christ saturated new year.

The Obendrauf's

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Merry Christmas pictures

The best blurry photo which will never be mailed


Me surveying my kingdom


Mama tries to get me to wear the Santa hat


"no, no, no"

Monday, December 03, 2007

Giving Thanks


with Grandpa Ed


With Grandma Sybil


With Great Uncle Ted


With Great Aunt Cass


with First Cousin Once Removed Amanda


with Papa Obendrauf


with Nana Obendrauf


with Mommy and Daddy

with Aunt Linda once the tryptophan kicked in