Sunday, January 2, 2011

Davis Family Christmas 2010

Merry Christmas (and Happy New Year!) from the Davis family! Top Ten for 2010 (in no particular order):

Randall:

  1. Getting called into the cub scouts as the Bear Leader

  2. Getting certified in risk management...twice

  3. Being appointed to the Finance Advisory Board at the University of Akron

  4. Soloing in St. Bernard's Cathedral with Angela

  5. Baptizing Alexander

  6. Giving Ethan the Priesthood

  7. Home teaching with Ethan

  8. Family trips to Utah and Florida

  9. Buying my Dad's 1966 Porsche

  10. Keeping all of my 2010 resolutions

Angela:

  1. Alex's baptism

  2. Watching Ethan pass the sacrament

  3. Trips to Disney World (twice), LA, Boston, and Utah

  4. Soloing in St. Bernard's Cathedral with Randall

  5. Getting contact lenses again...yea!

  6. Fall Hiking Spree

  7. Getting called as Primary President

  8. Family game nights

  9. Finishing several good books

  10. Having family visit us

Ethan:

  1. Got the priesthood

  2. Scout camp

  3. Trips to Universal Studios, Disney World and Utah

  4. Swimming miles and miles at the gym

  5. Seventh Grade

  6. Fun times with Alex

  7. Doing the Cycling Merit Badge

  8. Playing in the snow...especially on snow days (3 so far)

  9. Playing with our cat, Smokey

  10. Jazz band, baby!

Alexander:

  1. Got baptized...awesome!

  2. Getting my own set of scriptures

  3. Trips to Universal Studios, Disney World and Utah

  4. Finally passing Level 3 in Swimming Lessons (5th attempt)

  5. Playing sports (Soccer, Baseball, and Basketball)

  6. Family staying with us

  7. Going to the Christmas Cirque in Cleveland

  8. Spanish Club

  9. Visits to the zoo

  10. No more car seats!! (I had carseataphobia)

We are grateful for our friends and family, especially in this season that reminds us of the things that are the most important to us. We hope you all have a happy and healthy new year!

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Davis Family Christmas 2009

Merry Christmas from the Davis family! Here’s our yearly update:


Randall has been very busy at work this year. He traveled to various places, including, Europe, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, Alabama, Atlanta, Boston, and Orlando. He really enjoyed his 2 motorcycle trips to Deal’s Gap, North Carolina, and through the National Parks in Southern Utah/Arizona with his brothers Michael, Davey, John and Jeff. He soloed again in the Christmas concerts that our community choir puts on every December. He’s loved teaching Ethan trumpet lessons this year. He assists the Bishop of our ward by giving financial counseling to those in need. He’s been reliving his childhood by working with Ethan on his Scouting requirements. In his spare time, Randall enjoys a good movie, sudoku, crossword puzzles, dreaming of his next car, playing video games with his sons, and reading/watching the news.


Angela has enjoyed the additional personal time she’s had since Alex started first grade and is now in school all day. She is still teaching a few piano students, including Ethan and Alex. She volunteers through the PTA in both boys’ school libraries. She served as a Bear cub scout den leader until a week ago when she was called as the 2nd counselor in the Primary Presidency. Angela also had a small solo in the Christmas concert as well as a solo in the choir’s October concert celebrating Abraham Lincoln’s 200th birthday. In her spare time she enjoys reading a good book, crosswords, sudoku, playing board/card games, and watching movies.


Ethan, 11, is in the 6th grade at middle school. He enjoys playing the trumpet in band, and is proud to have earned a new trumpet by practicing every day all summer. Ethan has enjoyed playing community soccer and is on a swim team through our gym. He’s enjoyed becoming a boy scout this year and is making good progress. He’s finished his first and second class and is working on finishing the hiking and swimming merit badges. In his spare time he likes to play his DS, play the Wii, read a good book, have Nerf gun battles, build Lego Star Wars ships, and hang out with friends.


Alex turned 7 this year and is in first grade. He’s enjoyed going to school all day this year and has many friends. Alex also played soccer, T-ball, and took swimming lessons. He is excited to learn to play the trumpet, now that he has inherited Ethan’s old trumpet. He loves Lego Star Wars, playing with friends, Pokemon cards, and Nerf gun battles. He has become a really good reader. He’s lost 5 teeth this year, keeping the tooth fairy busy.


Smokey, 2 1/2, is just as busy and fluffy as always. He’s still got the mischievous heart of a kitten, but the claws of an adult cat. He loves to ambush us in the dark, and particularly enjoys attacking Randall’s toes, Ethan’s calves, and Alex’s jugular. Angela’s grateful he’s grown up a bit by not spraying mucus all over the house this year.


We enjoyed two fun family trips this year. In April, we went to Disney World, where Randall attended a convention while the kids and Angela played. In July/August, we flew to Utah and attended the Davis family reunion and enjoyed visiting with many of our family members and friends.


We are grateful for this Christmas season that reminds us of the things that are the most important to us. We are grateful for the reminder to give more than we would normally be inclined to give, to reconnect with our friends and family, and to recognize the innumerable blessings that we’ve been given. We hope that you all will feel the love of our Savior and share that love with those around you. We are grateful for all of you and feel privileged to have you in our lives.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Christmas 2008

Merry Christmas 2008!!!

This is our second year of using a Christmas Blog for our family and friends. Don't bother checking back frequently, as we're just using this for our annual Christmas letter. So...without further ado, here is the latest on each of us:

  • Randall: This has been another great year for Randall. Work has been very busy, mostly with new business and new ventures. He helped start a new insurance company based in the Cayman Islands that is going to change the insurance world. He was also in charge of a new building for the company headquarters that took much of his time (they moved into the new digs in August…NICE!). At church he served as the Ward Resource Specialist (financial planner for the poor). The highlights of his year were (in no particular order): 1) Family vacation to California, 2) Trips to San Diego, LA, Orlando, 3) Reunion trip to Utah, 4) Family vacation to Maumee Bay. He does like to travel, although family trips are much more fun than business.


  • Angela: Angela is amazed at how quickly this year passed! She has enjoyed a little extra free time this year, thanks to Kindergarten. Despite the idea of free time, she has filled it with work with the Cub Scouts, being a gym rat, volunteering in the kids' school libraries, taking care of a new "child" (Smokey the cat), and singing with our local community choir (Summit Choral Society). She also teaches piano in her spare time. She is constantly busy keeping up with the kids' activities and keeping the house operational. She has enjoyed watching the kids grow up and learn new talents and skills. She really enjoyed the opportunities to be with family in Utah, and loved seeing her brother Norman in LA. Angela loves Disney so much that she went twice this year: once to Disney World (without kids…yee haw!) and our week of family fun in California that included a stop at Disneyland.


  • Ethan: Ethan has had a great 2008. He is excelling at his new school (middle school). He's been really dedicated to swimming and now can easily outpace older kids and even his dad. He enjoys playing intramural soccer and taking piano lessons from Mom. He also started playing the trumpet this year, which thrills Dad. Ethan loved Thanksgiving with his Davis cousins, and his trip to Utah (we're glad he survived). He loves playing with Smokey (our new cat) and his friends and riding his bike when it's warm outside. The highlight of Ethan's year was our trip to California. His favorite ride was Disney's California Screamin where he did his first loopdeeloop. He's looking forward to Christmas.


  • Alexander: Alex is a very studious Kindergartner this year and is excited to be learning to read and practice his math and science skills. His teacher says he is a model student and "is a joy" to have in class. He also is taking to swimming and just qualified for Red Cross Level 3 swimming. He was very proud. He still loves to dress-up in costumes and play imaginative games. He loves snuggling with our new cat, Smokey. He also enjoys playing with Lego's, especially Lego Star Wars. He had tons and tons of fun at Disneyland. His favorite rides were Space Mountain and the Tower of Terror (which he rode 3 times in a row!). We were impressed with his bravery and spirit of adventure. He also loved the Sourjacks at Papa Davis's cabin in Utah. He loves playing with friends and seems to have unlimited energy.


We've been very blessed this year. We're grateful for this holiday season to reflect on the love of our Savior and the love that we have for our family and friends. We're grateful for you and your examples of love and kindness. We're better people for knowing you. We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!