Long time no see!

Wow, I'm as good as keeping this up-to-date as I am everything else! So here's what's been going on with us this year- taken from my Christmas letter:

Seasons Greetings from the Great White North!
Jamie has the biggest news of the year, he graduated from college! He received his Bachelors of Science degree, cum laude, in Human Resources/Business Management from Park University. He finished classes and got his degree in early summer, but participated in the graduation ceremony at the Defense Supply Center in Columbus on November 17th. He is still enjoying his job as Command Post Superintendent with the Ohio Air National Guard, and has been chosen to teach the next Non-commissioned Officer Academy Satellite Course this winter. It’s a big honor to be asked to do this, since only few are qualified to do it, so we’re all proud he was one of the ones chosen!

Rebecca has been keeping herself busy with the kids all year, enjoying her time being home with them full-time. Between soccer games, play dates, scout meetings and lots of traveling over the summer; it’s been a non-stop year! Her biggest adventure this year was going back to college! She took 3 classes this fall, will take another 3 over the winter, and will have just a couple more to take before she’s ready for nursing clinicals! Her grades have been great so far and she was surprised to find that the one class she’s been dreading for years, Microbiology, turned out to be her favorite class ever!

Andrew is in the 4th grade this year and is enjoying it! He was asked to join an advanced reading group, Junior Great Books, and has had fun reading some new books. He has also joined the school orchestra, which thrills his mom, playing violin. His biggest thrill of the year came in the multiple trips to Cedar Point Amusement Park, he and Jamie went a grand total of 21 times! He’s having fun playing football at school every day and wants to play for the city league when they start again. He’s also turned into a die-hard WVU fan!

Alec is now in the 2nd grade and has turned into a great student! He’s the best reader in his class and loves to write and draw. He has a folder full of poems he’s written and is even working on a newspaper for his family! He had a great time playing soccer this past spring and got his first trophy! He joined the Cub Scouts this fall as a Wolf Scout and is working hard on getting his first few badges. He is joining Andy in playing the violin; getting mommy-taught lessons, and so far is having fun with it.

Katie is 3 ½ years old and is the definite princess of the house! She is full of energy and has two speeds- stop and fast. She has the men of the house wrapped around her little finger, even though she can be a little rotten with her brothers. She had her first “real” haircut in late October, all the ends are the same length and she finally can’t wear the pigtails she hates so much! She’s turned into a hopeless Daddy’s girl, she thinks her Daddy hung the moon, but Mommy is glad that at least she gets to be the favorite when Daddy is at work!

Last, but not least, Max is still watching the kids to make sure they’re safe (and giving him treats)! He’s an old man now, going on 11 years old, and would rather lie on his bed in front of the fireplace than chase a ball. He was joined this year by Molly, a 9-week old English Springer Spaniel, who he’s pretty sure we could have done without. Molly joined our family in November and has no problems reminding us that she’s around and ready to play!

We are all enjoying living in Ohio, even though Jamie prefers the weather back down South. We miss each and every one of you and hope this year ends with blessings and good health, and that next year is even better.

Ok, so there's a quickie update on the goings-on in the Stover household! Hopefully I'll be able to keep this better updated, but don't get your hopes up!