Another year has flown by and, as usual, the Garland Boedings' are scrambling to get ready for Christmas. We decided on a little different format for our Christmas letter this year; so, you're looking at it. With the usual disclaimers, we hope that this style isn't too impersonal 'cause our Christmas letter list just keeps growing and growing.

The News

This year brought a bit of sadness to the family, Steve's mother Rosella died on June 23rd. She had been battling bone marrow cancer for 12 years. We remember her in our prayers every night and we hope that you will too.

The Boedings (more than just the Texas family) have a Web site on the Internet. The address is "http://web2.airmail.net/boeding7/". The site is devoted to the Boeding family history and contains stories, pictures and the family tree. Give us a look if you have the chance. Also, you can contact the Texas Boedings by E-mail at "boeding7@airmail.net".

The old Boeding Camry was finally retired after 13 years of dependable service. Steve got 174,000 miles out of it and it was still running fine. About the time it left the driveway for the last time, a new Silhouette van took its place. We hope to get as many miles and smiles out of it.

The Kids

Stevie turned ten this year and entered the fourth grade. His soccer team made it to the third round of the playoffs but lost in a shoot-out that went to a second round. He is currently a member of the school choir and seems to enjoy it very much. The choir has performed at several events and the family has tried to attend them all.

Eight year old Anne Marie is busy with sacramental preparation in the second grade. She finds time for gymnastics a couple of nights a week. She scored several goals for her soccer team during the fall season and in-line skating is probably her favorite activity, if she could find some time for it.

Elizabeth entered the first grade at Good Shepherd as a young six year-old this year. But being the youngest and smallest in her class hasn't deterred her enthusiasm for school. This fall she has been doing gymnastics two nights a week and looks forward to every session.

Rachel started full-time pre-school at Good Shepherd and she would like to make her classroom her home. Her teacher has become her second mom and she has many new friends. Two year-old Christopher is daddy's boy, sometimes to the exclusion of everyone else. He has become our computer expert, able to destroy anything and everything on the desktop if you leave it out for him. The MAC in the living room is his and he would spend all day on it if we let him.

Our Travels and Visitors

This past year the family ventured up to Nebraska four different times, at Easter and Thanksgiving as well as two special trips in June. The kids' oldest first cousin on the Boeding side was married in June and the family was invited to share the occasion. Two weeks later, we were back in Nebraska for grandma's funeral.

Nancy and the kids made their annual trek to Kentucky, bringing Granny back on the return trip. Nancy, Granny and the kids then left for Galveston and spent some time at the beach. Christmas this year will be spent in Kentucky.

Grandaddy and Granny visited this year as they have for several years. This year we had some special guests from Nebraska, the Runion family and Grandpa paid us a visit in August. We especially enjoyed entertaining them, treating them to some extremely warm Texas summer weather.

Steve had the most enjoyable personal vacation in early August when he drove his nice warm Army truck down to San Antonio and spent the next two weeks in an open air structure that resembled a chicken coop. The eight hour drive back was as much fun as the trip down even though there were no flat tires on the return trip. Sadly, Steve will be missing these types of adventures since he retired from the Army Reserves this year.

The presents and decorations are a very small part of our preparation for Christmas. The kids have been learning about the true meaning of Christmas, about our Advent preparations and our Catholic traditions in their religion classes at school. They have had the chance to bring joy to people who may not see much joy during this season by caroling and participating in parties and plays at local nursing and convalescent homes. Our visits to friends and relatives take on a special meaning during this time of year, especially when it may be the only time during the year that we may see them.

Our evening meal always begins with the lighting of the Advent wreath followed by an Advent prayer and grace. The several manger scenes around the house do not yet have the Jesus, Mary and Joseph figures present. The kids are anxious to place each of them in their positions and maybe that little gesture, and the kids' excitement, truly represents how we should all feel during the weeks leading up to our remembrance of Christ's birth.