Holiday Newsletter

Dear Family and Friends,

Wow, another Holiday Season is upon us and we cannot believe how fast 2009 has gone by. It has been another good year full of fun, excitement, achievement, and good health.

Cameron is in the First Grade this year and has already been awarded Student of the Month in November! He has a wonderful teacher and classmates. Cameron played flag football in the winter and is still negotiating playing tackle football one day (if Mommy will ever let him). His baseball team, the Sand Gnats, took the Championship this Spring in their age group. What fun we had out at the ball field. Cameron had such fun that he chose to play Fall baseball this year, but our little six year olds were now up against a pitching machine instead of the coach pitch. As the season progressed, so did the Indians. We are already looking forward to Spring baseball. In the meantime, Cameron has decided to add another sport to his playing card this Winter, basketball! Stay tuned for that report. Rounding out Cameron is a love of reading and art. He recently submitted a clay sculpture to the school art contest and was a winner!

Madeline is in the Third grade this year and has another amazing teacher. She is excelling in all areas, including being a “Tween” (in between a child and a teenager). She had her ears pierced for her 9th birthday and we can hardly believe how fast she is becoming a young lady. Madeline just finished her 5th year playing soccer and cannot wait for Spring to get here so she can play again! This year Madeline is playing Academy Soccer and will start participating in travelling to tournaments. Recently, Madeline completed her very first 5k run as part of Girls on the Run, kind of like a running club. They trained for 12 weeks and touched on all areas of life for a young girl. It was really a great experience and we hope she will participate again in the Spring. Madeline also submitted a beautiful drawing for the art contest at school and was awarded a ribbon too! Debbie and Madeline both continue to enjoy their time with their Brownie Troop.

Matt continues his work as Director of Contracts and Rebates for PSS/World Medical. It has been a challenging year, but we are thankful to be part of this great company.

As you know, Debbie was laid off in February. Since then she has enjoyed (most of the time) staying home with the children. They had a fun summer full of visits to the beach, water-park, travelling to see friends and family, and more!

We are looking forward to a great Christmas at home. As I write this, the children are using the karaoke machine Santa delivered a few years ago. We are definitely enjoying all the Santa moments. . . . .

As always, we are thankful for our wonderful family and friends. We look forward to hearing your news! Stay tuned to our blog in 2010 for all the Okenica news.

With Love,
Debbie, Matt, Madeline, and Cameron

**Photos on our holiday postcard are "The Best of 2009":

-Beach family photo by Kelli Carpenter
-Valentine photo of Madeline and Cameron by Kelli Carpenter
-Spring Break Cruise to the Bahamas
-May flowers photo of Madeline and Cameron by Kelli Carpenter
-Cameron at his baseball game by Phil Capialli
-Two excited children who have a new puppy, Tucker
-Cameron graduates Kindergarten
-Madeline gets her first scallop
-Cameron is ready to go scalloping
-Matt has Madeline ready for more waterskiing
-Cameron waterskiing
-Madeline and Cameron the first day of school
-Madeline and her student of the month poster at school
-Cameron's student of the month poster at school
-2 devils, a witch, and a USA soccer player for Halloween
-Family Thanksgiving at Lake Oconee

To Christmas Card or NOT?

Wow, you would think I would be on top of all the Christmas TO DOs this year, but alas. . . I am still pondering our Christmas Cards. . . . so tell me, how do you feel about New Years cards?

Ho, Ho, Ho!

November 2009 Photos

Click the link below to see November photos. . . I am updating this album as quickly as I can, but for now you can enjoy photos from Madeline's 9th Birthday Celebration Weekend. . . . .more to come!

Enjoy! Love, Deb

November 2009

Can I "brag" for just a minute????

We have had a very exciting week with the children! They continue to amaze us each day with their strength, both in mind and body. Monday both children were awarded as WINNERS in their grade for "Reflections", a state wide art contest. The theme this year was "Beauty Is. . . ". Cameron won in Visual Arts (1st grade) for his wave sculpture. Sadly, because Mommy did not read the rules close enough and 3-D art is not allowed, he cannot go onto the County Level. However, the school judges felt his was fantastic and he won! Madeline won in Visual Arts (3rd Grade) for her drawing of a Breast Cancer Awareness ribbon. She will be allowed to go to the County Level, so stay tuned! Both were awarded ribbons AND a $25 WalMart gift card. Wow.

That same day, Cameron came in 1st for this class' 1-mile run with a time of 8:47!!!! And Tuesday, Madeline came in 3rd or 4th (we think) for her class' 1-mile run with a time of 9:04. Madeline will also participate in the Girls On The Run 5K this Saturday. What a champ!

So here, is the bragging. . . . . Mrs. Prausa and Mrs. Cody, both teachers at Neptune Beach Elementary, left the following posts to my Facebook page. . . . can you see me beaming with pride from you are today????

Nanett Prausa Congrats to both of your reflections winners!!! I cheered Cameron on to a 1st place finish in his mile run this morning. He was so serious!Mon at 7:33pm · Comment ·LikeUnlike · View Feedback (2)Hide Feedback (2) · See Wall-to-Wall

Debbie Hayes Okenica Thanks!! We are very proud of both. . . . Madeline does the mile run today!
Yesterday at 1:35pm · Delete

Sangita Reavill Cody And she ROCKED it!!! You are quite the Mother;)!!! You're kids are AWESOME!!! I can't get enough of Maddie!!! She is the type of student I have always dreamed of having when I started teaching...didn't think there were kids like that out there...then I came to NBE!!!!! I'm seriously in teacher heaven, if there is such a thing;)!!!!!!!
11 hours ago · Delete