As 2002 comes to a rapid close, we reflect on how it was a nice and quiet year for us. We kept busy enjoying our growing kids and being involved in their schools and activities.

Our little Mary turned 4 in April. Her favorite toys are her little gang of stuffed animals, each one with a proper name and about three nicknames. She is very tender-hearted and sensitive, and is really developing a cute sense of humor. She still attends preschool two days each week. She also loves her gymnastics class, which she is really starting to show a talent for.

Jonathan turned 7 in September. He is in first grade now, having a great time and learning so much, so fast, with his wonderful teacher. He played both seasons of soccer again this year, and seems to be really getting into it. He's reading a lot now, and his curiosity about the world seems endless. If he's not playing with Mary and her little stuffed friends, he's usually building with Lego or playing computer games.

Laurie continues to help in both kids' schools, volunteering in their classrooms, plus working in the library at Jonathan's school, which she especially enjoys. She's now a member of our church's childrens' council, coordinating the sunday school "shepherds," or teachers' assistants. Chris has been busy finishing up the first version of Storycards, the computer game he's been working on now and then for the last two years; you can learn more about it on the web at http://storycards.net. He also recently started helping out in Jonathan's classroom. And in October, we celebrated 10 wonderful years of marriage. Double digits!

We didn't travel much earlier in the year, except for a couple of weekend trips to Sea World and Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio. Laurie's family came to our house to celebrate Christmas early, because we're going home to Ohio for Christmas with Chris' family. His whole family will be there, and we're really hoping for snow for all the cousins to play in together!

We hope your year has been as joyful and fun as ours, and we wish you all a warm holiday season!