Matt, Kristen, Riley, & Kate

Hello All!

Summer found us at the beach and by the pool. In June we spent a great couple of days in Laguna Beach to celebrate Mare and Pops birthdays. July was lacrosse and church camp. In August we were off to our home on Whidbey Island for a couple of weeks. We hiked, kayaked, fished, clammed, crabbed and spent time with friends and family. (Then over Labor Day weekend we went up to our friends Vineyard in Northern California and spent time walking the vineyard, atving, swimming in the creek, playing on the lake, wine tasting and picking out grapes to make our own wine!

Riley started 8th grade and Kate started 5th grade. Riley has been busy with school, lacrosse and guitar. Kate has been busy with school, ballet, soccer and piano. Matt has been busy with work, coaching Kate's soccer team (which came in 1st place), and making wine with a friend. I have been busy with the kid's schedules, volunteering on the PTO, classroom room mom, playing tennis, putting on our (last elementary - yee haw) school fall fundraiser and other mom stuff.

We had a quick visit from Amy and Joe this fall. Amy was touring some west coast colleges so it was wonderful to see them! We hope she comes west! Then we spent a wonderful Thanksgiving at Pops and Mare's eating yummy food, fishing, riding the quad and sandrail and relaxing.

The holidays were fun, festive and busy. Kate was in the Nutcracker Ballet this year and of all years her soccer team went to the playoffs! That kept us busy and my car became the official dressing room! We took 2 quick trips over the holidays. Our first trip was down on the train to San Diego to tour the USS Midway (aircraft carrier), Seaport Village and the Gaslamp district.

Our next trip was to visit friends at their Lake Arrowhead cabin. We spent a few days sledding and playing in the snow.

Now it's back to the daily grind, but all is good!

We wish everyone a Happy New Year!

Love, Kristen, Matt, Riley(13) and Kate(10)