Have you ever had years go by so fast that you need to look through the photo albums to remember all that occurred? 2009 was one of those years for the Thomas family.
Change was the reoccurring theme this year and the more we tried to resist, the more it brought itself to us. It wasn’t until we acknowledged it that we were able to embrace it. Here are some highlights from 2009:
January – Wells Fargo and Wachovia merger official.
February – Bruce reserves his place for the annual lobster dive!
March - Celebrated Devon’s 11th Birthday and St. Patrick’s Day with the Rea’s over for a traditional St. Patrick’s Feast.
April – Brandon turns 13 and along with Stacy learns to shoot a shotgun with Uncle Randy.
May – We joined 200 family and friends to help Brooke and Billie celebrate 50 years of wedded bliss.
June – We had may friend BBQ’s, but Father’s Day topped it off as one great party.July - Billie took Stacy, Brandon, Devon and Justin to Ashland, Oregon for the Shakespeare Festival.
July – The whole family spent 4th of July in Reno, NV at the Red, White and Blue Cat Show. Our male, Lucian Chat, championed after one night.
August – we choose to go to the California State Fair on the hottest day of the year.
September – Justin, a budding Marine Biologist, swam with the dolphins for his eighth birthday at Marine World Africa USA.
October - Brandon, Devon and Stacy embarked upon Reno, NV with VIP tickets for the Rob Thomas Cradlesong Tour.
November – Jenner with the Raunam Family at the Crows Nest was just what the doctor ordered. Kayaking, Crabbing and Beach combing was just what the doctor ordered.
December – Christmas Tree hunting at North Star Christmas Tree Farm in the snow and Cookie Baking with the Baileys!!
Of all the things we are thankful for, overwhelmingly family, friends and health were on each of our lists. If you haven’t already done so, please connect with us over Facebook. At minimum, we would love to hear from you. Email us at: reatho@yahoo.com.
Wishing you a year full of love, laughter, and good health surrounded and supported by family and friends.
Sincerely, Bruce, Stacy, Brandon, Devon and Justin
Showing posts with label Christmas Letter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas Letter. Show all posts
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Greetings from the Thomas Family - 2007
I have to admit I have been dragging my feet in getting the Christmas letter out this year. My inspiration came when Brandon said if I got the pictures together, he would add the words. Okay, I didn't get the pictures together. But, enjoy the year in review through the eyes of Brandon, with help from his 6 year old brother.
Cookie Baking with the Bailey Family
We had our annual Cookie Baking Session with the Baileys. Chocolate Chip, Russian Snowballs, Chocolate Sugar Cookies, Fudge, Snicker doodles were baked, packaged and delivered to our Goldstone neighbors by all the kids complete with Santa Caps (except Devon - he refuses to where the Santa hat).
Lake Tahoe with the Tabatabai Family
The year was started with a bang! The first week of January was spent at Lake Tahoe with Sean, Jeanne, Roxanna and Samantha Tabatabai. Midweek Uncle Jack, Uncle Randy, James, Jenny, Elizabeth and Julianne joined us for New Years Eve. Sledding, snowball fights, long walks to Starbucks….even Roxanna eating the snowman’s chocolate buttons made for a great start of the New Year.
Hawaii with Wells Fargo
Bittersweet is the word my Mom uses to describe working at Wells Fargo this year. In February, her CIO left the company to be CEO of another. On his departure he called Mom to inform her she had won one of two Management Excellence awards and was to be sent to the company’s Sales and Service Conference. From pampering, to excursions, to guest speakers, to the hotel itself (Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort and Spa) - the company goes all out for their team members for this event. We spent the week snorkeling, swimming, exploring Waikiki’s Zoo and eating way too much at the endless buffets.
South Africa
Dad and Randy made an amazing trek to South Africa for a Safari. Kudu, Warthog, Giraffe, Elephant, Lion and many more animals were seen (we don’t want to know what was eaten!).
Hakuna Matata = Don’t Worry
Randy and Dad killed a Pumba. Dad said the reason Pumba isn’t breathing is he swallowed Tumon and choked. Dad tried the Heimlich and Randy tried mouth to snout, but couldn’t resuscitate. Hakuna Matata doesn’t appear to be Pumba’s motto anymore……
Don’t they use guns in Africa?
Doesn’t it appear that Randy has brought down this beast by using the stick in his hand? For the animal lovers out there, Randy assured us that no animals were hurt in Africa. He says the animals were “stunt beast”. We are starting to sense that we can’t trust Randy’s stories…..
Cannon Beach, Oregon
The Rea Family journeyed up to our favorite beach spot, Cannon Beach – Oregon for the 4th of July. Two houses side-to-side hosted four families and a total of 17 people and three dogs. Scrabble, long walks to Haystack Rock, clamming in Gearhart, trips into Seaside and fireworks made for a great adventure.
New York, NY
Chrysler Building, Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Nintendo Center, Ellis Island and 5 million taxis were amazing sights to see. Of course, seeing Grease and Phantom were worth the flight. But, nothing compares to hanging with my mom and Grammie for a week in New York.
New York 2007
Phantom of the Opera was AMAZING! I met several of the cast members including the Phantom of the Opera. In fact, here I am with the Phantom - unmasked. Devilishly handsome, a wonderful actor and an extremely good singer (but enough about me already).
Cookie Baking with the Bailey Family
We had our annual Cookie Baking Session with the Baileys. Chocolate Chip, Russian Snowballs, Chocolate Sugar Cookies, Fudge, Snicker doodles were baked, packaged and delivered to our Goldstone neighbors by all the kids complete with Santa Caps (except Devon - he refuses to where the Santa hat).
Lake Tahoe with the Tabatabai Family
The year was started with a bang! The first week of January was spent at Lake Tahoe with Sean, Jeanne, Roxanna and Samantha Tabatabai. Midweek Uncle Jack, Uncle Randy, James, Jenny, Elizabeth and Julianne joined us for New Years Eve. Sledding, snowball fights, long walks to Starbucks….even Roxanna eating the snowman’s chocolate buttons made for a great start of the New Year.
Hawaii with Wells Fargo
Bittersweet is the word my Mom uses to describe working at Wells Fargo this year. In February, her CIO left the company to be CEO of another. On his departure he called Mom to inform her she had won one of two Management Excellence awards and was to be sent to the company’s Sales and Service Conference. From pampering, to excursions, to guest speakers, to the hotel itself (Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort and Spa) - the company goes all out for their team members for this event. We spent the week snorkeling, swimming, exploring Waikiki’s Zoo and eating way too much at the endless buffets.
South Africa
Dad and Randy made an amazing trek to South Africa for a Safari. Kudu, Warthog, Giraffe, Elephant, Lion and many more animals were seen (we don’t want to know what was eaten!).
Hakuna Matata = Don’t Worry
Randy and Dad killed a Pumba. Dad said the reason Pumba isn’t breathing is he swallowed Tumon and choked. Dad tried the Heimlich and Randy tried mouth to snout, but couldn’t resuscitate. Hakuna Matata doesn’t appear to be Pumba’s motto anymore……
Don’t they use guns in Africa?
Doesn’t it appear that Randy has brought down this beast by using the stick in his hand? For the animal lovers out there, Randy assured us that no animals were hurt in Africa. He says the animals were “stunt beast”. We are starting to sense that we can’t trust Randy’s stories…..
Cannon Beach, Oregon
The Rea Family journeyed up to our favorite beach spot, Cannon Beach – Oregon for the 4th of July. Two houses side-to-side hosted four families and a total of 17 people and three dogs. Scrabble, long walks to Haystack Rock, clamming in Gearhart, trips into Seaside and fireworks made for a great adventure.
New York, NY
Chrysler Building, Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Nintendo Center, Ellis Island and 5 million taxis were amazing sights to see. Of course, seeing Grease and Phantom were worth the flight. But, nothing compares to hanging with my mom and Grammie for a week in New York.
New York 2007
Phantom of the Opera was AMAZING! I met several of the cast members including the Phantom of the Opera. In fact, here I am with the Phantom - unmasked. Devilishly handsome, a wonderful actor and an extremely good singer (but enough about me already).
SpamALot
After seeing Grease, we couldn’t resist taking advantage of a SpamALot cut out and being one of the Knights of the Round Table. “The Holy Grail? We already got one.”
After seeing Grease, we couldn’t resist taking advantage of a SpamALot cut out and being one of the Knights of the Round Table. “The Holy Grail? We already got one.”
John Lennon Memorial
Grammie wanted to stop and see the memorial. Little did we know to look DOWN. But once we found it, it was a beautiful memorial in the middle of Strawberry Fields.
Channel Islands, CA
After getting his diving certification, Dad took a trip out spiny lobster diving in the Channel Islands. The annual trip is coordinated by one of Dads firefighting buddies, but this year Dad brought his friend Greg which made it more fun, although the sleeping quarters were a tad bit crowded we hear.
My brothers and I had a great year. I turned 11, Devon turned 9 and Justin turned 6. I like swimming, baseball and reptiles. Of course, I love the stage and the vocal/piano lessons are preparing me for musicals. Devon is a sporty guy who likes to rides his wave, skateboard and fusion scooter. He loves to play video games and can get lost for days if left alone with his Nintendo DS. Justin is our local charmer. He comes home with new girl's phone numbers every week. He loves to ride his fusion scooter, play with the dogs and play soccer and baseball.
From our family to yours, wishing you joy, love and health in the New Year.
Bruce, Stacy, Brandon, Devon and Justin
(reatho@yahoo.com)
Grammie wanted to stop and see the memorial. Little did we know to look DOWN. But once we found it, it was a beautiful memorial in the middle of Strawberry Fields.
Channel Islands, CA
After getting his diving certification, Dad took a trip out spiny lobster diving in the Channel Islands. The annual trip is coordinated by one of Dads firefighting buddies, but this year Dad brought his friend Greg which made it more fun, although the sleeping quarters were a tad bit crowded we hear.
My brothers and I had a great year. I turned 11, Devon turned 9 and Justin turned 6. I like swimming, baseball and reptiles. Of course, I love the stage and the vocal/piano lessons are preparing me for musicals. Devon is a sporty guy who likes to rides his wave, skateboard and fusion scooter. He loves to play video games and can get lost for days if left alone with his Nintendo DS. Justin is our local charmer. He comes home with new girl's phone numbers every week. He loves to ride his fusion scooter, play with the dogs and play soccer and baseball.
From our family to yours, wishing you joy, love and health in the New Year.
Bruce, Stacy, Brandon, Devon and Justin
(reatho@yahoo.com)
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