Sunday, December 21, 2008

Merry Christmas!



Hi everyone....I'm sending out my Christmas greetings via this blog this year. I can include more photos and more text this way...plus, it's a "green" way to send some "holiday cheer"!




We are pretty much ready for the big day....the outside lights went up Thanksgiving weekend, as did all the inside decor. I like to put decorations up as early as possible, to prolong this wonderful season as long as I can!




Our plans include having Christmas Eve dinner at Kirsten and Adam's new home located in downtown San Diego (they are renting a condo there, and Kayla has moved in with them), and a Christmas Day brunch here at our house.




We've had a whirlwind year with Kirsten and Adam's wedding in Oct. (Brandon was married in Feb., but , as most of you already know, the marriage did not work out, and he is now divorced...which ended up being a GOOD thing...) Kirsten and Adam's wedding turned out just beautiful, and the newlyweds are well and happy and settling in to married life. Adam works for Progressive Insurance as a claims adjuster, and Kirsten works in the provost's office at San Diego State University.




Kayla is still loving her job as a social worker with Child Protective Services in San Diego. She just moved in with Kirsten and Adam, (so they both can save money on rent...condos in San Diego are expensive!), and she is still dating her boyfriend AJ. Kayla and Aj have been traveling alot this year. They traveled to San Francisco, New York City, Alcapulco, Mexico, EUROPE (London, Paris, Barcelona and Rome in 10 days!) and they went to Vancouver and Calary, Canada, over Thanksgiving weekend!




Brandon is working on his teaching credential and master's degree all at once, and is working as a substitute teacher. He's a great dad to McKenna. He has her every weekend, and she loves it when he takes her to the park.




Travis is doing pretty well. He's still maintaining a pretty positive attitude, and he is looking forward to taking more college classes in Jan. He has a job, pushing people in wheelchairs to the cafeteria every morning and evening. We are looking forward to visiting him next weekend. We try to visit him every other month. (it's a 5 1/2 hour drive) He has about 20 months left.




Mark is still with Southwest Traders, and he is on the board of the local NJB basketball league, and he's also coaching a team. He enjoyed singing in a "community Christmas concert" a few weeks ago. His favorite pastime is playing with McKenna!




I am celebrating my almost 18 years with Close To My Heart! Business is still pretty good, and I still love my job, and it keeps me pretty busy.


I also LOVE being a "grammy", and I'm having so much fun with McKenna! She is so smart and funny and keeps us laughing constantly!




McKenna is now 2 1/2, growing so fast, and is just a sweet little girl! She's at our house every weekend, and we see her several times a week. She can count to 20 and knows her ABC's, colors and numbers, loves to sing, and LOVES to watch "The Lion King" movie! (she's obsessed....even acts out the parts and sings the songs...it's so cute!)




Our wish is that you have the most wonderful Christmas ever, with family and friends close, and the "reason for the season" in your heart! We love you all....keep in touch! We love hearing from you!




Much love,


Mark and Cindy Baker