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