Christmas Letter

So our printer isn't working, and things seem to be crazy around here. Here is our Christmas letter, although many of you will be getting a paper copy too- unless you let me know that you don't want us to send you a paper copy!! :)

Merry Christmas! 2009 has definitely been a year of challenges, rewards, learning and growing for our family! God has been faithful and continues to bless us more than we deserve, especially with our amazing friends and family!

BJ has been an amazing addition to our family. He is now 13-14 months old (depending when you get my letter!!), and is very active and independent. He is walking everywhere and loves to make his own decisions. We are anxiously awaiting his speech to take off as that would help us know what he wants instead of pointing and whining. He started a large center daycare in Feb. and has had a myriad of illnesses. He has been diagnosed with asthma, eczema, and allergies to peanut, dairy, egg (and dog), so keeps us on our toes with his health. Due to his dog allergy, we made the heartbreaking decision to give Pedro, our dog, to Cassi’s aunt in Nebraska, but think Pedro likes his new life better than ours here. In November, BJ was hospitalized overnight and spent a week with nightly oxygen. However, given all his health concerns and our concerns for his care, we chose to take him out of the large center daycare and were blessed to find an amazing friend from church who is watching him at her home with her daughter who is 6 days older than BJ. Already he loves the change, playing with his new friends, and is finally healthy- praise God. And although he has struggled with many illnesses this year, continues to be a happy boy (even when sick) and such a joy to be with.

Cassi has adjusted (somedays well, other days not so well) to being a working mom. She is finishing her residency at Swedish Family Medicine and will be done in July. She has interviewed with 2 clinics and has happily accepted an offer at Aspen Family Care in Highlands Ranch, CO (a suburb of Denver). She is looking forward to having a better balance of mom and doctor time as she will have a day off a week (and a set schedule!!). Cassi still loves to read, run, work out, and spend time with her boys and tries to find to do so amidst her other responsibilities.

Brandon has become quite the amazing superdad! BJ and he have a great time running around the house, building towers (or knocking them down), and playing with whatever toy or object is available. He is a great dad, such that Cassi never worries when her boys are hanging out together when she is working (even overnight)! Brandon continues to work for CH Robinson and has spent time in all divisions, allowing him to step in to any and help out when needed. Brandon keeps busy with his projects at home (he likes to say he only has 2, the cars and the house, but Cassi knows better!). He has been working on a beautiful entertainment center for our almost finished basement and just recently traded the Supra for a Lexus Aristo. He laments it is the first time since 16 he hasn’t had a sports car, but has learned to make “sacrifices” for the family he loves!!

When we’ve had time for fun, we vacationed in Minnesota this year with Cassi’s family for a week, attended the Nebraska vs. Colorado game in Boulder, skied with friends, had countless movie and game nights, and continue to be active in the married couples group at church.

As always, we love Colorado, but miss seeing so many of you!! Feel free to visit anytime- we have plenty of space for those who want to enjoy beautiful Rocky Mountains. But most of all, we hope you know how important you all are to us, and thank God for the blessing of your support and love! We hope Christmas finds you contemplating the real reason for the season, God’s most precious gift to us, his son.

Brandon, Cassi, and BJ