Happy Holidays 2010

A very warm and happy holiday greeting!

This time last year, I wrote to you while sipping from my grande, skinny, no-whip, peppermint Mocha (shaken, not stirred). This year, however, I write to you caffeine-free. While I wouldn't recommend quitting cold turkey as I did (especially after drinking the equivalent of 40 cups of coffee a day like I was), I am enjoying life at a much reduced pace and am beginning to take notice of life's finer details (a wife, 2 kids, friends and family).

Meredith and Nicholas are going strong and keeping us very busy (that's them wishing everyone "peace" this holiday season). Meredith, now 9 (although wishing to be 19) and in the fourth grade, gave up gymnastics this year in favor of "Girls on the Run" where she trained for and successfully completed her first 5K run. She is also learning acoustic guitar and is aspiring to be a singer/rock star. Her Christmas wish this year is to meet Selena Gomez (Miley Cyrus is out, thank God!), and frequently checks the internet for concert tickets.

Nicholas, now 6 and in the first grade, played his first season of coach-pitch baseball this summer, and I (I mean he) loved every minute of it. But most of all he enjoys playing soccer, whether it be with his teams, or with his buddies in the neighborhood, or with Amy, Meredith and I in the side yard, or with the cats in the living room (he really likes soccer!). He also continues his passion for team logos, match ups, scoreboards and knowing who won and lost. This year Nicholas is wishing for a playoff spot for the Columbus Blue Jackets, but has his Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings jerseys nearby, just in case (smart boy).

As for Amy and me, time continues to pass us by faster than we can keep up with. 2010 was yet another year of good times with friends and family, as well as a little bit of travel. However, our biggest trip took us the shortest distance. This summer we decided that it was time to move, and after a long, hard search for the ideal place to call "home", we settled on a house just 4 blocks down the street - Amy's childhood home! After the sale of our house (whew!), and some intense negotiations between Meredith and Amy's parents (Meredith insisted that the fair market value be set at $100 - Nick subsequently insisted that Meredith be removed from the process) we made and survived our move down the street. And we now understand why moving is one of life's most stressful events (Actually, two of life's most stressful events are moving and the loss of a spouse, and I'm thinking there may be a correlation between the two). Amy is now enjoying making her old house our new house, and finds herself experiencing deja vu all over again - like sitting on the radiator heaters, enjoying the fire place in the kitchen, and struggling to do math homework (Meredith's, of course). In October, Amy turned 40 and doesn't look a day past 30 (she made me add that). As for me, I celebrated 10 years with Nationwide this summer, and in recognition of my dedication and commitment, I am now working 1/2 days (6AM - 6PM). While work will always keep me busy, next year I will be applying my entrepreneurial energies towards organizing a charity hockey tournament in June to help raise awareness and money for Cystic Fibrosis research.

And so, with Amy in her kerchief and I in my cap (seriously, I sleep in a winter cap - this new house is drafty!), we settle in for a long winter's nap. Our stockings are hung by the chimney with care, with hopes that in 2011 our health and many blessings will still be there.

We are so very grateful for our family and our friends (old and new), and we wish everyone the happiest of Holiday seasons, and much health and success in the new year!