Happy Holidays to our Friends and Family,

For at least as long as I've been writing these letters, Alyson and I have had a plan – every other year we put up our artificial tree and go to Massachusetts for the holidays, but on the opposite years we stay in Maryland and get ourselves a real tree. As I write this letter, I am fretting over our tree as it isn't drinking enough water. What are we going to do if it doesn't start? I am, however, looking forward to a nice quiet Christmas at home this year.

The past three or so months have been dominated by Alyson's broken leg. For those of you who haven't heard the story, the short version is that at the end of August we were vacationing in Ocean City when a wave picked up a young child (no, not Caleb) and hurled him at Alyson's leg. A week later Alyson was in surgery to reconstruct her tibia at the knee joint. Three months later she is working on walking without the crutch, and soon without her leg brace.

Some days I feel like my life has been put on hold but I look at Caleb and realize that he hasn't slowed down one bit. Over the course of the past year he has switched from one daycare situation to another while also putting in some time, on and off, at the emergency daycare my work so luckily provides. He has adapted amazingly well and even managed to potty train with the help of Alyson’s mom. In the past 6 months he discovered music and first started singing along with the Children’s CDs that we keep in the car. These days we often catch him making up words to some of his favorite songs as he sings them to himself.

In the midst of Caleb switching daycares (May/June) we managed to find the time to head up to Massachusetts twice. The first time was whirlwind weekend getaway for a friend's wedding out in Boston. Two weeks later we were back up there for Alyson's 10 year College reunion. Let me just say that I am grateful that my parents have moved into my grandparents old house. At my 'advanced age' I think I am past the point of sleeping on an air mattress on the floor of their office. The best part of these trips is the chance to get caught up with old friends.

Despite staying busy with a very busy little two year old and accidents, both Alyson and I managed to put some time into our hobbies. For me, that mostly meant twice meeting friends to attend DC Game Day and my weekly trip to the comic book store. My lovely wife puts me to shame with a sewing machine that seems to rarely slow down. Earlier in the year she had quilts on display with both an art show at the National Institutes of Health, where she works, and at the 10th Anniversary of Artomatic in downtown DC. I'm immensely proud of her if a little saddened that the stand mixer I got her for her birthday was overshadowed by the joy of her first quilt sale.

I hope this letter finds you all in good health and happiness. Whether you're traveling for the holidays or enjoying some quiet time at home, we wish you the joy of spending it with family & friends and a few spare moments to yourself to enjoy your hobbies.

Much Love,

Alyson, Bill & Caleb