2002

Welcome to our Christmas letter, this year with 20% more bragging to deaden the pain that time, inevitably, brings to us all.

Alex celebrated his first communion in May. We were to the church on time, which was in stark contrast to Alex's baptism seven and a half years before, when there was a mad rush to the church because of a miscommunication regarding who was supposed to prepare the potato salad, who was supposed to be ironing the baptismal garment, and who was supposed to bring the baby. The excitement this time was off-stage with car trouble at the busiest intersection in Lansing. We really enjoyed the visit by family, even if Alex didn't give the event or the holy implications much thought; he mostly likes playing with cousins. Then, at the start of summer, family came to visit and help us celebrate Alex's second First Communion (don't ask).

Emily played teeball in summer. She was very pleased with her hand-me-down baseball mitt and PowerPuff Girls cap. Ah, to be young and oblivious of the rules again. Meanwhile, Alex played coach-pitch baseball. You might say we're in a rut with Alex and sports, but it keeps the family off the streets.

We took a family trip in July to Cleveland and Niagara Falls. Car trouble could not dampen our fun. Then, a week after returning, we took another trip, this time to Wisconsin. Two separate trips in one month is too much. Not that we can ever get enough of visiting family.

Also in July, we got an actual next-door neighbor. It was nice when we first moved here and we were all alone because Mickey could walk the dog off leash at any hour, and not feel shy about relieving himself anywhere because there was no one to see him do it. But it's nice to have neighbors, too. Mickey just has to be more selective in the when and where of relieving himself. Every lot on the street is spoken for now, and we're going to have four homes under construction on the cul-de-sac at the same time. That's a lot of trucks and construction workers, if you've never witnessed it. The kids have multiple playmates on the street, now, and we're playing the occasional game of euchre. That was the whole point of moving here in the first place.

Mickey had his 20-year high school reunion back in Brooklyn, Ohio. There was a reasonable turn-out and everyone had a good time. Of course, the people that go to reunions are those that are determined to have a good time. The crab-asses and failures don't show up. It would be fun if the crab-asses and failures were there too, but it would take a while to get organized into cliques again and identify those that are incapable of defending themselves so that we could pick on them, just like in high school. Ah the memories.

Emily is now in first grade, and is doing fine except for an annoying habit of trying very hard to be funny in class. We can't imagine where she got such tendencies. Emily is also in a dance class, which does seem to be her calling, or at least her rut. We would offer an update on Emily's bowel situation, but she's almost to the point of being able to read this damn thing and I'm afraid she won't like it.

Alex is on two indoor soccer teams for the winter; this is so that he can play with buddies on both sides of an age limit (under-eight and under-ten). Floor hockey starts in January. Meanwhile, Emily has joined a learn-to-play soccer program at the same indoor facility.

No one has bought Mickey's novel yet. However, we think someone read the sample chapters (http://www.manintheageofmainframes.com) because we got some hate mail. We'd like to thank Mary's mother for taking the time. Oh, and probably ought to mention something about Mary. But what to say? She will be coordinating the cookie sales for Emily's Brownie troop.

We were further blessed with family visits during football season when Wisconsin pounded MSU mercilessly. This was a good moment for most in our house, because we have a Michigan fan who loves to see MSU pounded, and a Wisconsin fan. Poor, poor Alex. Alas, he's an MSU fan.

Much thought and prayer has been devoted to Mickey's mother and father, who have more than their share of medical challenges right now.

Hope all is well with all who read this. God bless you, everyone.

We remain,

The Hadicks: Mickey, Mary, Alex, and Emily