St. Joseph Rodzina: Merry Christmas 2009

Merry Christmas to you!! In an effort to move into the 21st century, our Christmas letter is being posted to our blog. Hope you enjoy!

2009 has been a busy year as Anastassia continues to keep us busy and Mike and Jennifer try to continue to be active.

Jennifer's parents bought a house near us in Cumming in December 2008. They spent 2009 moving to GA so we had frequent visits and a welcome babysitter. They completed their move in June and are gradually becoming southerns.

Mike started a new job for Carel in March and has enjoyed the increased travel and new job responsibilities. Jennifer is still at Atlanta Spine Institute Rehab as a director/physical therapist. Anastassia spends her days at Oak Grove Academy in the Junior toddler room where she has excelled at finger painting, eating with utensils and learning to talk. Her newest words are "mine", "no", "more", "thank you" and signing "please". We have been told by her teachers she is very smart (I'm sure we are the only parents they tell that ; ) )

We continue to do road races with Anastassia in tow and returned to Charleston in April with the McGees for the Cooper River 10K. We completed the Peachtree Road Race 10K in Atlanta on July 4th and challenged ourselves with a 15K in Utica, NY in July while visiting Mike's parents. Anastassia sat this one out and spent time with her Babscia and Ja-Ja so that Jennifer and Mike could finish the race. We enjoy the challenge of running but really only do it to stay in shape so we can continue to eat and drink like we don't care!

The Fall was busy with visits from Jennifer's siblings and families. Julie and Justin and families visited in October and spent Halloween with us. Janelle and family were in GA for Thanksgiving. Zaidy and Anastassia saw Santa together which didn't make Anastassia like it any better.

Mike's parents came for an early Christmas in December and again traveled with us to Savannah for the 10K bridge run. Once hearing they were going to be in Watertown by themselves for Christmas, we arranged for an early Christmas present and are having them join us for the holiday. We are sure Christmas will be very exciting this year for Anastassia. She is amazed by all the lights, the traditional Christmas specials of Frosty and Rudolph and is trying to understand this Santa person.

Below are a few photos highlighting 2009.

We hope your holiday season is filled with fun and wish everyone a happy 2010.

Jennifer, Mike and Anastassia St. Joseph

jennifermikesaint@comcast.net