Wow! Here we are ending 2008 already! I can't believe it! And this is not the 'Christmas Letter' that Dawn had in mind, but this is much easier on the wallet than sending out a bunch of letters. (Sorry, gang, but that's the way it is this year!)

Well... it's been an eventful year, to be sure...

Todd is in his 3rd year teaching band, choir and general music at Friendship Central School. And yes, that's quite a drive. 60 miles one way, to be exact. So we've put a lot of miles on our vehicles the past few years. But we APPRECIATE the market crash this year because of the great drop in gas prices!!! Down from $4.00+ to just around $1.75-$1.80 this past couple weeks!! What a break!!

Todd has also been directing the Keynote Chorus over in Portville in the spring and fall. He just finished his 4th year with them and is looking forward to their spring season together. He has a lot of fun with them and they are a great bunch of people!

He still is operating his ministry (Creekside Ministries) and has been doing a LOT of weddings and counseling with people. He still meets on Sunday mornings with his little gang and really enjoys that (even though the other guys are truly crazy...)! ;-)

Dawn started 2008 still cooking at Oreganos but left in April to go work for an orthodontist in Olean. That really didn't go well (not because of Dawn's work, but because of the DOCTOR!!!) and she lasted until the end of October. But she's been out of work since and has had applications out all over and still no results. Please remember to pray for a good job for Dawn!! We would greatly appreciate it!!

Dawn also has been very active at church, running the sound system a couple times a month or so. And she has been very active with the Jamestown theater groups - the JCC Uncommoners (Hi, Bob and Steve!), and the Lucille Ball Little Theater. She has helped with and been in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Peter Pan, along with a bunch of others. She really enjoys being involved with our local theaters, although she likes working behind the scenes best! She most recently 'played' Tinkerbell by operating a laser pointer from the back of the auditorium that flits around the stage as Tinkerbell! Go Tink!!

Kaija enrolled, attended and graduated from Continental School of Beauty in Olean, NY this year, and we discovered that she is VERY, VERY talented in the cosmetology field!!! Who would have guessed??? But she loves cutting and styling hair, and she is also looking for a good place to put her skills to work. She's tried a few places but they wind up not able to give her enough hours or enough customers and so they don't work out. Hey - you Olean people and Jamestown area people - if you know anyone that needs a REALLY GOOD stylist, you have them give Kaija a call, ok???

She has also been involved with the theater a bit, playing an 'adult fairy' in Peter Pan! She was one of the ballet dancers for a few scenes and she did very well onstage, too! (Even though she will tell you she didn't!!) She was so nervous, but she did a great job!!

Kira finished high school (homeschooling), and has been working at Oreganos all summer and fall, and recently picked up a 2nd job at Hot Bodies tanning salon in Jamestown. She is enrolling at JCC Jamestown this spring and would like to work toward being an elementary school teacher.

Kira has also been very active in the theaters in the area, and has held leads in She Loves Me, Lend Me A Tenor, and most recently starred in Peter Pan. It was so much fun watching her fly around the stage, sprinkling pixie dust on everyone and sword fighting with Captain Hook!! What a great time they all had with that show!!

Keenan (28) lives east of Rochester in Macedon with his wife, Elena, and their daughter, Alina (6). He recently changed jobs, going from Xerox to Kodak. He is part of their software research and development department up there. Elena works for Paychex, where she has been for a few years now. (They don't use her business savvy and her international experience like they should! She needs someplace to work that will use her talents well!!) Alina is a very active 1st grader and takes gymnastics, violin and art lessons on Saturdays. (She is also fluent in English and Russian!!)

Daman is still up at SUNY Fredonia working toward a double major in Business Accounting and... something else. (I can't remember!!) This year he was an RA in his dorm up at "The Fred". When he's home, he works at the local flower shop and runs around with his friends.

Amanda lives in Little Valley and is working at the Crosby Mini-Mart over there, and was recently promoted to Assistant manager!! She has been working crazy hours, but she really likes it there and likes the people she works with and the customers they serve. Her girls are with her on weekends and most holidays. Haley is 3 or 4 (I can't keep track) and Deanna is 6 and in 1st Grade up in Springville.

Well, that's about it for us. Dawn will probably remember some stuff I forgot, so I'll update this as needed.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!! We miss you all and love you so very much!! Come visit us this year! We always have extra people crashing here with us! We'd love to have you come crash with us, too!!

God bless,

Todd, Dawn, Kaija, Kira, Daman, and Amanda (And the rest of the Gang!!)