2006

Merry Christmas Family and Friends,

Whew! It seems like I haven’t had time to write one of these Christmas letters over the last three years. We’ve been busy turning our house into an empty nest, Derrick and Biz are working on filling their nest with our first Grandchild, Michael keeps changing his nest, Joseph and Katie are busy making a nest, and Nicole has departed the nest. That leaves just Bobette, Molly and me, and Molly seems to be shopping for another family as Joseph always talks about Euthanizing her just because she’s old and crabby. This makes Bobette and I a little nervous and we are careful not to appear old or crabby around Joseph.

Its been a big year for us with two graduations, the birth of our first grandchild, Joseph and Katie’s wedding, Nicole going off to college and my Father passing away.

Nicole made it through her senior year and of course had to raise one last assistance dog. She took the dog to school when she could and even brought her to graduation with her own little graduation cap. Midway through the ceremony the kid next to her asked her “so how much can you see? You don’t seem to be too blind to me!” just trying to be nice talking to the blind girl. Although not really a spoiled rich kid, its hard to convince people of that when you live on Mercer Island and drive a Mercedes. But she had two jobs and joined the AFROTC at Oregon State and is really a country girl at heart. She really likes the military life especially when there are 9 boys to every girl and one of the boys is named John Wayne. The boys (whoops, Air Force men) make sure she is escorted after dark on campus and call me to ask permission before they let her do stuff like eat candy or stay up late. Now how cool is that!

Joseph, the one I always thought would go into the military seems to have gone through his 20’s in about six days and has pretty much settled down like one of us old folks. Never one to let the grass grow under his feet, he and Katie got a dog before they graduated from college, then bought themselves a farm, then a truck, a tractor, a barn, a snake and fish to add to their 4 horses. Then after they got all the stuff they were ready to get married. They had a great wedding after nearly killing his future father-in-law at white water rafting bachelor’s party. Somehow it seems they have been married longer than Bobette and I. He has become quite an electrician while rewiring his farm by guess and by gosh. He made one little error when he electrified the entire barn. Fortunately the animals know not to go near Joseph’s work until a human has checked it out so nothing go hurt until Katie’s dad discovered the problem.

Michael got tired of being left out of the Christmas letters and all the free food that the other kids seem to get so he and his girl friend Heather decided to move back to the Northwest. We will have to ensure he does not appear old or crabby (see paragraph 1). Although he likes living in his 20’s and will probably another 25 years before he turns 30. He has great plans to turn the 3ed car garage into a car lift so he can work on all of your cars at a reduced rate. Bobette may have something to say about that as she would have to find other space for her growing craft supply stash. Since he is now a master mechanic and really good at what he does, I am encouraged that he will not attempt to turn the house into a salvage yard. But one never knows.

Derrick and Biz are new parents with Adrianna Nicole Scheid, born December 1 at 8:30 in the morning. Derrick is learning the terror of the night as he looks forward to being brutally awaken every few hours to take care of the baby. This modern generation is different. I never felt very useful during those late night breast feedings and just went back to sleep. I guess he is just a better husband. Derrick is still working in campus ministry and seems to really like it and has plenty of time to work on the house and go to school. Biz is no longer a barista at Starbucks as she is now a full time mom and internet merchant.

Bobette and I are still quite the pair, I tell the jokes and she gives me a crabby look. Works for us. She has kept busy running a small charity, a small business and being a leader in church and the denomination. After all these years she still has not learned how to say no so we rarely have time for a walk and if we can’t communicate with ESP, then we will have to communicate over ESPN. One night Bobette was reading one of her favorite magazines which had a special on super-women volunteers. After being awed by one woman after another, she turned the page to see a picture of herself and a feature on all she does as a volunteer. She never saw it coming.

I entered into temporary insanity as I signed myself up for an on-line Phd program in management and leadership. I guess there was not enough stress in my life. I retired from the Lacrosse board president and the high school site council, but still volunteer as the church Elder Board Chair and the treasurer for the local Republican party. I’m thinking that all that volunteer stuff along with working at the Best Christian Workplaces Institute, investing in the stock market, exercising and helping the kids with their projects should keep me looking young and not crabby which should ensure a long life.

Best wishes to all

Grandpa Kevin and Grandma Bobette.