If you are here, you probably clicked on the link from my email signature, or my facebook page, or maybe my twitter profile.  You might immediately notice that I don’t update this thing very consistently.  Sorry if this has wasted your time in the past.

While I have worked on a couple of posts but never published them, I thought I might try to “catch up” in the manner I traditionally use when communicating with people infrequently: Christmas letter.

Below is the letter my wife and I sent out to people we’d feel guilty not sending something to at least once a year.  Enjoy, and check back in May (or thereabouts) to see if I’ve gotten around to saying anything important here.

Crabtree Christmas Letter 2009

In our own words…Aaron: What a year… At home I have enjoyed planting a garden, time with my energetic children, backyard campfires, weekend getaways, and reading. It seems I am always in the middle of reading 7 or 8 books.   It has been a busy year at Grace College where I have been working (now as Associate Dean of Students) for nearly 7 years.  I continue to enjoy the opportunities to interact with college students as they wrestle with the deeper issues of faith, leadership, and growing up.    My favorite pastime remains spending time with my beloved bride.

Sarah: It’s been a stretching year.  I am realizing how much of life I can’t control as I watch these three amazing kids grow up (two felt more manageable).  Sadly, I lost my grandma Adams in February.  I miss her and I have spent a lot of time reflecting on how much of me is taken from the women I grew up with.

Highlights of the year have been: our 10-year anniversary, hugs from my children, my bookclub, camping at Indiana Dunes, walks in our neighborhood, dates with Aaron, coffee with creamer, visits with friends and family.

Wrigley (5.5): I have been good this year… I can’t wait until Christmas (I bought my brother a giant monkey, but don’t tell him.)  School has been fun.  I am in Kindergarten.  There is a boy in my class who needs sign language.  I like to play in the snow. Before there was snow I liked riding my bike - I learned how to ride a two-wheeler.  It is fun for me to learn.  My mom and dad are both 33 (hehe).  Merry Christmas and a happy new year.

Theodore (nearly 4): Hello friends.  I like to read books - especially about Tigger and walking sticks (we took that one back to the library).  I try to be very good at playing games, because games are my favorite.  I hope you have a great day.  I love you all.

Josephine (15 months): (Unable to speak for herself, our thoughts about “Jo”) Daddy says,”We should have named her ‘Joy’ - she has an infectious smile - it gets bigger and bigger until she just squeals!” And her mother says, “Goodness, Josie is just the sweetest thing… which is good to remember when she is throwing a fit.”  Wrigley says, “She is now walking all over.  Today she walked all the way across the room to where I was sitting.”   “Josie fell two times today - one was when it was morning and one at bedtime.  She cried, but I brought her her favorite pink bunny.” said Theo.