Greetings from the Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C., where we’re looking forward to four more years of lower taxes, economic growth and mangled language.

Ken is still doing patent litigation at his D.C. law firm. He’s been traveling on business nearly every week since Labor Day, but enjoys swimming with the family in the new backyard pool in between trips. He swapped his Mustang for an Audi – still had to be a convertible, but this time a more practical all-wheel-drive.

Jennifer is enjoying a bit of new-found freedom this year, with all four kids in school full-time for the first time in 16 years. But with the kids doing sports, church, music and community activities, she still runs a busy after-school taxi service. Jennifer is trying to rediscover her muscles in the gym and on her daily walks since she isn’t lifting babies anymore. She’s still leading the elementary school’s supplemental art program and ignoring the laundry room as much as possible.

Chelsea , is sweet 16, a junior at our regional high school for science and technology, and juggles four AP classes with varsity volleyball, soccer, self-taught guitar, and the dating scene. With seminary at 6 a.m. and several hours of homework each night, she usually sleeps until noon on Saturdays. Chelsea will soon have her driver’s license, so beware on the roads! She’s starting to look at colleges, and we have a twinge of melancholy when we realize she won’t be at home much longer.

Spencer , who will be 14 in January, is an eighth grader. He hung up his soccer gear this fall in favor of football equipment, and received the end-of-season football coach’s award for being on the field for every play of every game – linebacker, guard, and special teams. Spencer continues to play the trumpet, paintball and computer games, while bemoaning his teachers who have the nerve to actually assign homework.

Kirsten will be 10 in February. She’s in fourth grade, and is still as gregarious as ever. She continues with piano and added the cello to her musical pursuits this year, but gave up soccer in favor of tennis. Kirsten is relentlessly pursuing our family getting a dog, so she’s been researching breeds and “hounding” her mother continually.

Garrett , who will be 7 in January, is a first-grader and becoming a great reader. He still loves taking things apart and pestering his siblings. Garrett enjoys swimming with his family and playing soccer. He still wants to know the how and why of everything, and especially enjoys delving into non-fiction books to satisfy his curiosity.

This past year we enjoyed a spring break adventure touring the Church history sites of the Midwest, spent a week on a Lake Powell houseboat with Ken’s first missionary companion and family, and Ken & Jennifer went on a 21 st anniversary trip to St. John while Grandma Tina & Grandpa Ralph held down the fort.

We wish you a holy holiday season and pray for peace during these turbulent times.