Christmas family newsletter

Allison, our family resident artist, is now 6 years old. She is in the first grade at Snyder Park. She is in a Friday program at the Springfield Art Museum. Arts and crafts remain her greatest interest at home as well. She does not share her siblings' interest in sports, having played soccer in the spring and enjoying the playing in practice much more than the actual games. Her favorite entertainment is Disney princesses as well as the fairy world of Tinkerbell. She also watches Shaun the Sheep most mornings with Tracey and Scott.

Tommy is 8 years old and classified as a second grader at Warder Park, and in his third year in the special needs class at that school with Miss Stoll, who is fantastic. Tommy still feeds overnight through a tube in his stomach, and he has been having problems with that stomach tube lately. The doctor says it is all in his head. He is in his second season bowling, He enjoys watching the family play with the Wii, especially when it is bowling or Mario Kart Racing. His favorite shows remain Dora the Explorer and Go Diego Go.

Ten year Old Tracey is now in the fifth grade at Snyder Park, and just recently performed in the holiday concert in the school choir. He has just finish his seventh season in Springfield Thunder soccer, with a first place finish in the spring and a .500 season in the fall. His indoor soccer team is currently leading the league. Tracey enjoys watching Survivor and The Amazing Race with his father, playing video games, especially with his neighbor Isaiah, and spending weekend time with grandpa.

Megan turned 17 in October. She is a junior at Springfield High School, and was on the advanced honor roll in the first quarter. She played JV volleyball for Springfield this year, playing the back line and once again excelling at serving. Her biggest activity at home is reading, especially if the book features vampires, wizards or Wookiees. And yes, she was there again for the opening night if the Twilight sequel New Moon.

Laura continues to be a fulltime mother. This especially means dealing firsthand with Tommy's regular and irregular appointments. She continues to follow the Ohio State Buckeyes, who once again won the Big Ten in football and play in the Rose Bowl this New Year's Day. She continues to follow the Cleveland Browns, who once again tried her patience. With her kids, she most often reads with Megan and does crafts with Allison. Along with Tracey and Scott, she also became a regular viewer of the TV show Chuck.

Work has been tough for Scott this year. Budget cuts year after year have really hurt the ability of the Clark County Child Support Agency to do its job. The first layoffs in 15 years occurred this year. Scott's original caseload 10 years ago was about 500 cases. He now shares a caseload with two others numbering 4803. Physical health has also been a struggle, with knee surgery needed but currently delayed due to needing to better control his diabetes. On the positive note, he continues to be an assistant coach for Tracey's soccer team, rooted for the St. Louis Cardinals as they won their division and the Pittsburgh Steelers as they won the Super Bowl, and saw great movies such as Slumdog Millionaire, Up, Precious, and Adventureland.

Family adventures this year included a weekend in the Hocking Hills of Ohio with Scott's extended family and seeing Disney On Ice in Dayton. Extended family news include the first girl cousin on Laura's side (parents Emily and Nathan) and the engagement of Scott's sister to Carl (wedding next June).