Christmas Letter - BaanHofman Broadcast

Wow, it's tough keeping straight what happened last month not to mention trying to remember what happened in the last year! I guess I really am "up to my neck" with school, work and family!! 2008 has had it's tough times as well as many, many blessings and overall has been a great year for us.

MARRIAGE

This past June Becky and I celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary. We spent a week in Cabo San Lucas just relaxing, sleeping in and enjoying reading by the pool. Thanks Grammy Cathy for hanging out with Adelynn while we were away! Having a "pool concierge" can sure spoil you quick!

THE BIG THREE-O

This year it was Becky's turn to hit 30. She loves to remind me that I'm three years ahead of her but I'd like to take this opportunity to remind her that, even though I married someone younger than me, her turn still comes! And year it came a bit more unexpectedly for Becky than it has in the past. Given her uncanny ability to sense when things don't quite add up, I knew I would have to be sneaky in order to pull off a true surprise. It worked out perfect to have the party the day we returned from Cabo because her Mom was here. I was also able to get her sister to fly out under the pre-tense of a business trip. I "recruited" the help of a number of our friends and, under the guise of a two-year old birthday party, lured her to our friends house where 50 or so people were waiting. It completely surprised her...the look on her face was priceless. Happy 30th Beck! Oh, and no more teasing that I'm in the decade ahead of you ;-)

FAMILY LIFE
In July we found out we were pregnant again and feel so blessed. Because of a miscarriage earlier in the year, we were both a little more tentative but are anxiously anticipating March 11 - the target date for our new little girl!

It's been fun watching Adelynn's little personality grow and blossom. Her excitement about everything is contagious. She loves dance class and dove headlong into swimming lessons and is doing a great job for a three year old. Heck, she's doing a great job for someone 10 times her age!

Mommy and Addie have both enjoyed learning about Moses in Bible Study Fellowship. With Mommy's pregnancy, sometimes it seems Addie remembers more details from the lesson than Mommy!
Addie couldn't believe she got to be a flower girl...twice!

Check out these dance shoes!

UP TO MY NECK...

I started my Masters in Business Administration in March at the University of Denver and at the same time switched from my 10 year career as a Sales Engineer to an Account Executive (still with Fair Isaac!). While it was alot to start school and change roles at work at the same time, things have settled down now and I enjoy the change. The best news is that there are only 8 months of school left...graduation is in August!

TRAVELS
We love to travel and this year was no different. We did a number of trips, with the last one being the longest...a jump over the pond to Europe to visit our friends, the Havenstein's and Becky's cousin, Jeff Brown, in Sweden. We did a couple smaller trips (weddings in MI, AZ, and CA, camping in Colorado, and boating at Lake McConaughy) as well as a cruise to Alaska celebrating Becky's grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary. 60 years of marriage...what an amazing accomplishment!

Daddies jumping off the cliffs at Lake McConaughy
(ok kids, now it's your turn!)

On the dock in Ketchikan, Alaska with the "Cruise Crew" -
Grammy&Papa, Jason&Laura Schlitt and the BaanHofmans

The view from our balcony in Paris
(amazing what hotel points can get you!)

WRAPPING IT UP
We're well into the holiday season and it seems more clear every year that the world has lost sight of the real reason for Christmas. This morning's episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (Sat. morning cartoons have become a favorite!) taught all the little one's watching that Christmas couldn't come if Santa was stuck in the snow. We had a little discussion as to why that's just not true. That guy in the red suit wasn't remotely in the picture when our Savior came into this world...God sent His son and that's reason enough to celebrate! Thanks to all our friends and family for your love and support this year. We're honored to be a part of your lives and let's remember the reason for all this.