Merry Christmas!!

Christmas Greetings from the Howertons--2010
It is pouring rain outside--our spa is overflowing, the fire is flickering in the fireplace, Christmas music is playing, I am in my warm flannels, drinking coffee, as I write this letter. A perfect California winter day!!
This has been a difficult year for many--us included. We are however, very thankful to still have our jobs! We feel very blessed! Lonnie is still with the Orange County Department of Ed. He completed the infamous Elk Hunt of 2010-at the top of his bucket list. Now however, he is hooked and wants to make it an annual event! He’s already busy planning next year’s hunts! He’ll never retire--has to work to pay for all his hunts! Lonnie celebrated his 45th class reunion last summer--boy those people are old!!
I am still sharing a contract in Tustin with daughter Sarah. We’ve had a tough year with a Kinder/First combo. We’re a third of the way finished--but who’s counting? Love the part time--don’t think I ever want to work full time again--after all, it’s almost retirement time, right? Then again, in this economy, do we ever really want to give up a perfectly good job? Especially part time? I didn’t get to travel much this year--Maybe next year! Lonnie did take me fly fishing in Colorado--it was an experience! I, unlike Lonnie, do not plan to make in an annual event! I do love Colorado-- but I don’t think we are moving there!
We have big news this year--two new grandsons!! Kembe came from Haiti in January to Mark and Kristen’s family, and Duzi came from South Africa to Michael and Jodie’s family!! We are very excited--we were all together for the first time at Thanksgiving. It was a happy reunion--the cousins (all 9 of them) had a blast!!
Michael and Jodie are still in Washington. They and their kids, Alex (10), Caleb (8), and Duzi (6) stay super busy with church (Overlake Christian), sports, and just living life!
Mark and Kristen are in Costa Mesa with their clan--Jafta (6 in a few days!), India (4), Kembe (4), and Karis (20 months). Mark is an MFT and Kristen teaches some classes at Vanguard University, and is writing an advice column for the OC Register. Jafta started Kindergarten this year and the two 4 year olds are in preschool. Again, busy life!
Sarah and Kipp moved to Mission Viejo this past fall--into our first home in California. It’s fun to see them in the house we lived in when Sarah was born! Kipp is still with the city of Aliso Viejo, and Sarah sharing a teaching contract with me. Tanner (3 ½) and Peyton, (22 months) love their nice yard. Tanner is in preschool this year and loving it. They also stay quite busy!
Other news this year is we have found a great church home. We are so blessed every Sunday with great teaching and wonderful loving people!! I have even joined the Christmas choir--with two rehearsals only--very different from the Viva-type choir from my past!! But I love singing praises to our awesome Lord!!
A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!