1996

Greetings friends:

To those for whom even the simplest of phone calls was too much for us to handle, we offer this brief review of this past year, and the hope that we will all at least live closer and dearer in the heart for the coming year.

Arguably the biggest event was the birth of Emily on April 27. She is a very happy child, and is well liked by Alex, now two years old. Emily threatens to crawl now, and scoots around rather quickly. Her favorite toys are whatever Alex has at the moment. Strangely enough, Alex's favorite toys are whatever Emily happens to be playing with. Though in his quiet, reflective moments, Alex tends to play with dinosaurs, monsters, or to simply throw or kick balls.

We made an excursion north to Wisconsin to show off the children in June. There Alex got to see and feed the cows at Grandma's farm. Alex insisted on "mingling" with the cows, though the bull at his Uncle Neil's farm, who doesn't like strangers, scared the be-jesus out of him when he bellowed in anger. Alex also enjoyed playing with his cousin Jarrett. They spent many an hour chasing and tackling each other, during which time the rule of the street governed: no blood, no foul!

Mary returned to work part-time during the summer. She works three days a week, and everyone seems quite pleased with it! She is still with Unisys, and is contracted to the Orwellian-named State of Michigan Family Indepence Agency, as a systems analyst on a Child Welfare "automation" project. Both Unisys and FIA are real sports about her schedule, so there is little to complain about.

Mickey left Unisys in September to take a similar position with a local firm that also feeds at the state government trough. He is quite pleased with it because he has gotten lots of training very quickly, and because there is little chance of travel, which would take him away from his cherished wife and children. (Also, rich hotel food gives him gas!)

The cats (Doogie, Geonnifer, and Boy Georgette) are all fine. We briefly added a stray to our flock, named O'malley; he was a fine cat, but unwilling to share a litter box, so I shot him! No, just a little cat-owner humor. Actually I ran over him with the car! No, another tasteless joke! Absolutely, positively the truth: we gave him up for adoption. I know that's no guarantee, but its a second chance his previous owners were unwilling to offer, so I'm without guilt. Except for the tasteless jokes.

Mickey has been busy this year converting to Roman Catholicism. Watch for the smoke signal this coming Easter eve. (His only comment on the subject is that if he never has to kiss another ring, it'll be too soon!)

We spent a very happy Thanksgiving with family in Cleveland, where Alex and Emily visited with another young cousin, Stephen, who was quite patient with Alex's reluctance to share!

Immediately after Christmas, we will venture north once again to Wisconsin. Only for family does one take on such folly!

May the joyful spirit of the season be with you all, and throughout the coming year!

Season's Greetings

The Hadicks:

Mickey, Mary, Alexander, Emily, and the cats.