Merry Christmas-2011

Merry Christmas to all our friends and family!  Each and every one of you has a special place in our hearts.  2011 has been a roller-coaster ride for us.  We have been blessed through all the hard decisions and changes that have taken place, from aging and ailing parents to our oldest son moving out and getting back into ministry, by an Almighty God who loves us so and continues to show us each day that He is our Rock on which we stand.  To Him be the Glory!

Bruce's birthday this year marked his two year mark of being able to retire!  Although, it may not be that he retires in two years, it would be possible and therefore takes the stress of the load he carries for his family every day off of him.  It's been a tough year of dealing with aging parents for him.  Dad is now in a nursing home and it seems as if the doctors have found and fixed most of mom's issues.  She now has a pacemaker and is doing dialysis three days a week.  Things seem to be getting a little, just a little, better!  He was able to go fly-fishing a bit this year.  He  went on the annual Mammoth Lakes trip with the guys and had a great time.  His plan is to do much more in 2012...we are in the process of getting these dates on the calendar!

Terri continues to stay at home and never has a dull moment!  She is still able to stay at home and is so blessed to be a wife and mom.  She is a Bible Study leader for some great women on Tuesday mornings and also a Mentor Mom for Mothers Of Preschoolers (MOPS) at church on Thursdays. She has definitely had one of the biggest transitions for a mom this year, with Ryan moving out, but knows without a doubt that God is good and He is in control.  She is really looking forward to being a part of a new marriage ministry at church.  Good things are coming in 2012!


Ryan has had a big year!  In June, him and his buddies, William, Adam and Cody went on another baseball stadium road trip.  This year they did the west coast.  They went to San Diego, Anaheim, San Francisco, Oakland, Seattle and Los Angeles.  They had a blast!  He then turned 21 in September.  October, although it was tough for mom and dad, he moved out!  He is loving life and we are so proud of the man he is becoming!  Ryan is a full time student at Fullerton College and is in the process of changing his major to Business.  He continues to work at Bob Marriott's about 30 hours a week and still gets in his Wednesday body boarding sessions with the guys!

Dylan turned 19 this year
and is a neat guy!
He started working for Planet Popcorn this summer at Downtown Disney and is working lots of hours!  Him and his girlfriend, Renee, have been together for about a year and a half now and they have an amazing relationship.  As much as they are alike, it is amazing how perfect they are for each other.  It is so fun watching them grow up!  Dylan is at Fullerton College and working toward a degree in Political Science.  He is thinking about joining the police academy in 2012.  He is a bit jealous that his brother was able to move out and wishes it were him.  But what would this house be without the cynicism, the sarcasm, the nudges, the hits and the picking on mom be like?!?!

As 2011 comes to a close.  Our prayer is that you will find the peace of our everlasting Father and know that He is in everything.  Focus on the good things, keep your eyes looking for the positive in all things, and you will be blessed.  Jesus Christ came as a baby in a manger, lived on this earth for a while to be our example and died on a wooden cross so that we may have eternal life!  He loves you and He loves me.  May our lives fully reflect that!

God Bless you and Merry Christmas.

Bruce, Terri, Ryan and Dylan
Roxy and Lily too!