Christmas Time 2010 is upon us, and it’s time to reflect back on everything that was either thrust upon us, or stuff we brought onto ourselves….
Pookie was the star of the show in 2010, she really blossomed as a 10 year old. Her 10U Softball team won their division in regular season play, and went deep into the playoffs where they lost to the team that won the championship. This was a great season to end softball on as she did very well on a great team where she made lots of new friends. The team was named “ Blue Cheese”, but it was fun,fun,fun!
She has moved onto Volleyball, where she had a good first season. While she’s still working “Volley” part of the game, she has her Serve working pretty good. And as most of the pointed are awarded on the Serve, Berlin has the right part of the game going for her.
Berlin also participated in an organization called Destination Imagination. It’s a “smarty –pants” competition of sorts where teams form, develop ideas, learn performances, and solve instant challenges. It started innocently enough… but soon took on a life of its own. Vicki was co-managing the team and perhaps underestimated the kids as they placed in the local Regional’s, then State which was held in San Jose Ca, and then went to Globals held in Knoxville Tn. Globals in much like the Olympics with teams coming from nearly every country you can think of. 16,000 participants in total. Vicki sent me some cell phone shots of the opening ceremonies… it was insane!! Berlin and her teammates finished 15th out of 52 teams in their division. We were so proud of the kids!!!! The team has regrouped this month to see if they can crack into the top 10 in Globals for 2011.
Other activities for Berlin this year included stage where she nice roles in Alice in Wonderland, Big Bad Musical, and Mary Poppins. She also spent much time at the horse stables grooming and riding the horses. For her 10th birthday Vicki hosted a Murder Mystery birthday party for Berlin and 15 of her friends. It had lots of screams and lots of laughs and was a big hit with everyone. My favorite Berlin moment of the year was when she fixed her teachers smudged make up and told her that “Mrs. Molfetta …You can’t be walking around , looking like a Hot Mess!!!”. That’s Pookie.
Jack had an equally busy year. In his first year of middle school he maintained an “A” average! This earned him the chance to leave Little League and enter the world of Travel Baseball. It’s very competitive and allows the game to be played as it should. Leading off, double steals, all the same rules as MLB and Jack loves it. He plays a lot of Shortstop, and Pitches, Catches, and plays Centerfield as needed. GO CATS!!!!!
Jack got a new Honda CRF80 this year, and it has a clutch! Jack considers it his first “Real” dirtbike, and enjoys riding it whenever possible.
Jack also found out he’s a natural photographer when he attended the Reno Air Races this year. He took some amazing shots that even impressed the ramp regulars at Reno. He ran up and down the flightline continuously … trying to get that perfect shot. I was very proud of his efforts and the results. Jack also did a few plays this year. He was invited to perform in Mary Poppins, for free! When Vicki asked Miss Tracy why, Tracy replied… “ Jacks good for business…” I wish I had been a lady killer at 12. Jack (of course )is oblivious to everything… Braces and all. Jack had a “Cosmic Bowling “ birthday party that was a lot of fun. 12 year old humor centers around repeating the phrase” Hey Jack, let me kiss your ball!!!” several thousand times over the course on the evening. Thank god bowling alleys have copious amounts of alcohol on hand at all times.
We had lots of travel going on this year. We did our annual treks to both AZ, and Pismo for motorcycling and seeing friends. Our two big trips were to Cancun and Chicago. Once you get over the fact that Cancun is in the middle of a swamp, there are a lot of great activities to do. We did swims in underground rivers and caves, ZIP lining, snuba diving, and had great shows and dinners. When it was all over, the family consensus was that we prefer Cabo though. Chicago was FANTASTIC! We ate at Carson’s our first night there, and saw immediately what all the hype surrounding Chicago restaurants is all about. We also had great meals at Texas de’ Brazil, and at the Weber Grill, where everything on the menu is prepared on actual Weber Grills. It was beyond good!!! We took architectural tours by bus and by boat and went to the tops of the Sears and Hancock Towers. Chicago is a one of the most beautiful cities we have visited. We went to both a Cubs and Whitesox game and visited the Museum of Science and Industry. We were able to take a semi-private tour of the German U-Boat “U-505” while we were there. The technology the Germans had 60 years ago, and the ability not to go insane while living inside a very cramped metal tube were both quite impressive. Jack and I really enjoyed our Boys Trip to Reno, while the girls did their trips to San Jose and Knoxville Tn for the D.I. events.
Vicki REALLY bit off more than she could chew this year…. Depending on who you talk to , she’s either the P.T.A. President, Year Book Chairman, Volleyball Coach / Baseball Team Mom / Room Mom, D.I. Team Co-Manager or SCBN Board Member. Busy..busy..busy. She also celebrated turning “29” ( + 11) with an all day extravaganza for her and her friends that started at Joan’s on Third for breakfast, a 5 hour massage and facial at the Grace Healing Center, and a fabulous dinner and magic show at the Magic Castle in Hollywood ending the evening. The guys caught up with the girls at the Castle, and a fantastic time was had by all. She was selected to be a “Cheshire Cat” in an adult performance of Alice in Wonderland and completely stole the show. She was also “Flo” from the Progressive Insurance commercials on T.V. for Halloween. I’m not sure which performance I enjoyed more. Both were spot on!!
American Trim had a good year in a terrible economy, and is now known as American Trim and Resurfacing. We added a concrete grinding and polishing division to our company this year and our first job was providing the 16,000 sq. ft. ground and polished concrete floor in the new Soka University Auditorium. We were also able to extend a 401k program to our employees this year and here in the last quarter in 2010 work looks like its finally starting to pick up. Hopefully 2011 will be better for everyone, we know several good companies who could not make it through this rough stretch, and are no longer with us…. Sad stories were the norm.
Not much is new with Bob… Like every year it’s Baseball, Speedway, Dirtbikes, and the promise to lose some weight and finish some house projects. This year the garage got some new cabinets to replace the ones we dumpster dove for 15 years ago when a neighbor remodeled their garage and Bob bought yet another motorcycle bringing our total vehicle count to 11. I don’t dare bring anything else home until something goes, the vehicle registration renewals are starting to show up with “junk mail “ regularity.
This spring should be interesting, as Berlin wants to breed Roxy. She’s convinced Roxy wants puppies, and she may be right. Roxy will gather her toys, and place them on her side like she’s nursing them.
Berlin has Roxy’s “boyfriend” picked out, another Boxer named Caddy. As Roxy’s love broker, I don’t think Caddy measures up to what Roxy needs in a baby daddy…. And as such… I’m still looking. If you have any leads on a handsome male Boxer ( if there is such a thing) , let me know.
And that’s it for 2010….. May 2011 bring more work, less taxes and be everything you wish it to be!!!
~ The Higginsons~
( I'll post some photos later)
Christmas Letters 2010
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britincali
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