October Family Letter

We have a family tradition on the Lewis side of the family. We write a family letter every other month (so five times a year since every one does their own Christmas thing in December) and send it to my Mom. Then she, Jeanne & Laura (usually) copy and collate them and send them to all of us. I love it. I love hearing what is happening with all of my family. Meg Willardson (Megan Lawrence) suggested that I post my family letter to share with others. Since I usually update each of my kids it might be fun to share. (Hope they don't mind!) Here it is for this month...

October 2008
Happy Halloween!

This is such a fun season of the year. Every month has cause to celebrate and good reasons to get together with the ones we love! I love autumn time. We had our first rain this weekend and it brings such sweet, fresh smells. Although it’s refreshing, we aren’t quite ready for the real rain to begin since we are painting the outside of our house and doing some roof repairs. Things are looking so much better around here with the repairs and the landscape work that Tom has undertaken. We have a cool three-way arch with wisteria and a fountain. The fountain allows us to hear sounds like the creek is running, even though this house is too far from the creek to really hear it. I’m always reminded of the peacefulness we enjoy when I sleep at Mom’s and hear all the neighborhood sounds we don’t have.

Okay—I started this two days ago and I’m finally getting back to it! Sound familiar? Tom has been totally swamped with all the projects around here. He’s been painting the house, working on the roof repairs (we aren’t going to have it re-done until we remodel), moving the old trailer (that was down by the creek) and readying it for a trip to the dump, finishing the studio roof, etc. etc. etc. He’s still found time to get together with friends and play a little music. He’s even written some new songs and we’ve gone to some song writers contests. He spent most of last week in Atlanta and has to go back for one night next week. It gives me a chance to spend a night at Mom’s when he travels. He’s had a ton of IBM work lately. We went last Saturday to Tom’s 40- year High School Reunion. What a kick!

I’m plodding along at Signatone still. I like the flexibility and the lack of commute. It’s hard to squeeze the rest of my life in around a full time work schedule. I have gotten involved with blogging. I have really enjoyed finding so many people out there – from relatives and friends to some of the Laurels I taught a few years ago in the other ward. They’re all getting married and having kids and it’s really fun to see what they’re up to. Today Aimee sent me an invite to Facebook so I’m giving that a shot. If any of you use it let me know and we can be “friends”! Lance already found me and Tom’s niece Brandi. You young guys are quick! I’m getting more and more organized in my house and before you know it I just might be scrapbooking again!

Andy has relocated to Portland, Oregon. He’s keeping the same job with Bookette Software in Monterey and working as a contractor. I hope that means he’ll make regular trips this way. We enjoyed the time we had with him the last couple of months. We were one of the many places he crashed now and again while he was wrapping things up in this area. We sure do miss Coleman and Aedan. I guess we’re going to have to travel north and visit in the near future. We’ll wait until Andy finds a place and gets a little settled.

Matt was just here last weekend and he and Tom got lots done. It was raining off and on all day Saturday but that doesn’t stop Matt or Tom either really. They both were fighting nasty colds and being out in the damp weather certainly didn’t help either of them. I think he’s trying to get back up here next weekend too. That just tells you how much work there is to be done here. I’m glad he’s so willing to help with some of this stuff. He’s still very busy with his jobs down his way.

Liz & Andy are expecting a new member of their family at the end of March. Everybody is quite excited. Alexis is doing great in Middle School. She says she likes it much better than elementary school. Jeffrey & Tyler have finally ended up at the same school. That is such a relief for Liz and her driving kid’s schedule. It is also so much easier to be part of the parent support in school if you aren’t spread between so many schools. Nathan is still such a happy easy going guy. Everybody enjoys him so much. Andy is so helpful with the kids and works from home when he is needed (instead of driving to Monterey).

Tim and Caleb have moved to Cupertino. (18630 Medicus Ct. – 95014). Tim and Sam are sharing a house now instead of an apartment. He really wanted a back yard for Caleb, since he loves being outdoors so much. Caleb still loves it here and the other night told me he “just loves that big guy.” After the third time I asked him who (thinking he was talking about Tom) and he said Grandpa’s tractor. Still the same funny guy that’s in love with the tractor. Tim is still working at TiVo and likes his job. Tim & Caleb come to help often.

Aimee and Glen are still on the lookout for just the right house to buy. It’s nice that they can take their time and watch for the right deal. I hope they find something close! Gage is growing so fast. He is also a smiley, happy guy. Glen is still at TiVo with Tim but he has a longer commute. Aimee works a little at the vet hospital to stay current with her vet stuff. They have been out to help a couple of different weekends, sometimes with the Hales. Last Saturday Glen and Tom really got drenched in the downpour.

Emily and Steve have made it up a couple of times in the last few weeks. That is amazing since they are trying to get a roof on their addition before the wet weather and Emily has 19 units this semester. It’s keeping her hopping. Steve is so supportive of her school needs. Becca loves kindergarten and is acting quite grown up these days. Kate likes pre-school but really misses having her big sister close by. She loves going with Emily to help in Becca’s class on Thursday mornings.

We loved seeing Kribbe and everyone else while he was here. Andy got to say good-bye to family at the same time. We also had the Hepner side of the family down for a good bye before he left as well as some of his friends. I love to have people over. We need to do it more. Probably will with the holidays just around the corner! Come see us…all are invited! Just let us know when you’re in the area. We’ll plan a bash! We love our family and friends. That’s what makes life wonderful. We love you all and hope to see you soon! Love,

Tom & Anne