Christmas Letters, 2007
Posted: December 18th, 2007, 4:08 am
POST THEM UP, HOON'S!!!!!
Christmas 2007
Seasons Greetings Friends,
Well, well, well…… I feel that life is truly accelerating, how can it possibly be Christmas time again so soon? If you are finding yourself in this same situation, gain some comfort by knowing that you are not alone!
Travel played a big part of our lives this year, with trips to Boston, New York City, Seattle, Phoenix, San Antonio, San Francisco, Pismo Beach and Cabo san Lucas. Perhaps a corporate jet should be considered?
Without getting to wordy, the trip to Boston / N.Y. was undeniably the trip of the year. So much history to see, great food, Boston Red Sox (who we watched whip the Angels halos at Fenway Park), the shipyards, the museums of Harvard and Cambridge, shopping in Manhattan, etc., if you have never been, GO! Then in August, our trip to Cabo was also a blast. We hit all the regular spots. Something new is the Dolphin Encounter, where our photo was taken this year. It’s a state of the art facility with professional people and healthy animals. Pookie would have stayed there forever! She rode them front ways, back ways, and side ways. I think they gave her a little extra time. This is a must see if you visit Cabo! Vicki kept her string intact of either buying a timeshare, or upgrading a current one. This trip she did both. Anyone who wants to join us for Spring Break, or Summer? Call Vicki, and hit *6 to book your vacation!
2007 was a great year at the Higginson residence, and for American Trim, our construction company. Vicki has a done an outstanding job whipping the kids into respectable 4th and 2nd graders (no, not a misprint), and positioning A/T in the “Sweet Spot” of our industry. Many other trades (and competitors) have been hit hard by the home building slow down while we continue to grow our business. Not an easy task, but Vicki always finds a way! She has also been able to spend much more time at school volunteering, and keeping the teachers in line, as much as the kids. She really loves the “Art Masters” program where the kids learn about the great artists in history, and replicate their work as best they can. I think it was Jack who copied a Van Gogh pretty damn well! For those who have not seen Jack’s artwork, and drawings, it’s where his future may be if Baseball doesn’t work out.
Jack has become completely absorbed with Baseball. It’s the center of his universe. He has done outstanding at school, and as a reward I told him to “pick a game to go to, I’ll hook you up.” He loves Ichiro Suzuki, the star center fielder of the Seattle Mariners. Jack wanted to see him play, at a Mariners HOME GAME. Well, I did say “pick a game”. Safeco Park is one of the premier stadiums in the world, and the game against the Red Sox was very exciting (Red Sox won, much to Vicki’s delight). It was a great trip with time spent downtown at the Space Needle and with
friends in the area. Jack asked, “If I do well in school this year, can we see a Yankee’s home game?” Why can’t the boy love the San Diego Padre’s instead? Jack’s future my lay in Baseball, as his pitching was fantastic this year. During one game, Jack struck out 3 batters on 11 pitches. He was by far the best pitcher on the team, even though he didn’t see as much action has he should have. There were only a handful of 8 year olds in AA ball this year. As a returning 9 year old, he should be the #1 starter on any team he is drafted to. If he does make it to the Pro’s someday, it had better be an American League team, since his hitting still needs some work.
Pookie is still Animal Crazy, 24/7 and 365. We had a “Reptile Party” for her birthday this year. Tons of snakes, lizards, spiders, and a Blue Tongued Skink. The Skink was pretty cool! I knew Berlin would enjoy all of the reptiles, but I was shocked that her friends showed the same levels of bravery. Berlin later told me that she “doesn’t hang around those Sissy Girls, only tough girls!” She also plays ball, Softball. She plays for fun (That means there is still allot of “La-La” time) but when she’s focused, she’s a real player! I’m going to coach her team next year so I can keep a closer eye on her. Speaking of action, Berlin decided to drop Ballet this year. She let us know that Ballet is too boring. But of course, Vicki wouldn’t let her drop dance completely, so she has joined a new dance studio, and is taking a Funky Jazz class. Look out Fly Girls!
I stay pretty busy with work, Baseball, and my Motorcycling. This year I joined my trusty Honda CR500 engine (powerful) with a Honda CRF250 frame (state of the art handling) to create a dirt bike with the best of both worlds. Several others have done it too, and the results are well worth the hard work. I have a dirt bike website, and several other members are following in my footsteps. We had several group rides this year, and no serious injuries to report. Vicki thinks the web site thing is retarded at times, but it keeps me out of bars, and off the streets.
Roxy Dog thought it would be a good idea to see a little bit of the world this year too (while on a leash free outing with Bob). She was picked up 11 hours later, and several miles away by a nice family who called us. Vicki and I had spent the night looking for her in shifts. The following day Vicki was so stressed about the kids finding out that their dog was gone, that she ripped the garage door right off the track in her rush to get the kids to school. To make a long story short, Roxy’s home safe, and not pregnant/deflowered. It’s still not funny to Vicki yet, maybe next year, after more time passes.
This Christmas season was the first where Jack got to climb the ladder, and hang the lights. Good thing Grandma wasn’t around! He was very excited to be doing this, and it was time for me to be passing the torch. It’s the little things of Fatherhood that I really enjoy.
2008 is well on the horizon, and looks to be promising much of the same:
Work -Travel -Dirt bikes –Baseball/Softball.
I think my “Honey-Do” list will be longer as a home make-over is in the works. We have been in Aliso Viejo since 1995 and Vicki says its time! Lots of dark woods and black iron, should be both fun, and beautiful once it’s complete in 2025.
We hope that your 2007 has been as fun and rewarding. Happy Holidays and Best Wishes from the Higginson Family to yours!!
Christmas 2007
Seasons Greetings Friends,
Well, well, well…… I feel that life is truly accelerating, how can it possibly be Christmas time again so soon? If you are finding yourself in this same situation, gain some comfort by knowing that you are not alone!
Travel played a big part of our lives this year, with trips to Boston, New York City, Seattle, Phoenix, San Antonio, San Francisco, Pismo Beach and Cabo san Lucas. Perhaps a corporate jet should be considered?
Without getting to wordy, the trip to Boston / N.Y. was undeniably the trip of the year. So much history to see, great food, Boston Red Sox (who we watched whip the Angels halos at Fenway Park), the shipyards, the museums of Harvard and Cambridge, shopping in Manhattan, etc., if you have never been, GO! Then in August, our trip to Cabo was also a blast. We hit all the regular spots. Something new is the Dolphin Encounter, where our photo was taken this year. It’s a state of the art facility with professional people and healthy animals. Pookie would have stayed there forever! She rode them front ways, back ways, and side ways. I think they gave her a little extra time. This is a must see if you visit Cabo! Vicki kept her string intact of either buying a timeshare, or upgrading a current one. This trip she did both. Anyone who wants to join us for Spring Break, or Summer? Call Vicki, and hit *6 to book your vacation!
2007 was a great year at the Higginson residence, and for American Trim, our construction company. Vicki has a done an outstanding job whipping the kids into respectable 4th and 2nd graders (no, not a misprint), and positioning A/T in the “Sweet Spot” of our industry. Many other trades (and competitors) have been hit hard by the home building slow down while we continue to grow our business. Not an easy task, but Vicki always finds a way! She has also been able to spend much more time at school volunteering, and keeping the teachers in line, as much as the kids. She really loves the “Art Masters” program where the kids learn about the great artists in history, and replicate their work as best they can. I think it was Jack who copied a Van Gogh pretty damn well! For those who have not seen Jack’s artwork, and drawings, it’s where his future may be if Baseball doesn’t work out.
Jack has become completely absorbed with Baseball. It’s the center of his universe. He has done outstanding at school, and as a reward I told him to “pick a game to go to, I’ll hook you up.” He loves Ichiro Suzuki, the star center fielder of the Seattle Mariners. Jack wanted to see him play, at a Mariners HOME GAME. Well, I did say “pick a game”. Safeco Park is one of the premier stadiums in the world, and the game against the Red Sox was very exciting (Red Sox won, much to Vicki’s delight). It was a great trip with time spent downtown at the Space Needle and with
friends in the area. Jack asked, “If I do well in school this year, can we see a Yankee’s home game?” Why can’t the boy love the San Diego Padre’s instead? Jack’s future my lay in Baseball, as his pitching was fantastic this year. During one game, Jack struck out 3 batters on 11 pitches. He was by far the best pitcher on the team, even though he didn’t see as much action has he should have. There were only a handful of 8 year olds in AA ball this year. As a returning 9 year old, he should be the #1 starter on any team he is drafted to. If he does make it to the Pro’s someday, it had better be an American League team, since his hitting still needs some work.
Pookie is still Animal Crazy, 24/7 and 365. We had a “Reptile Party” for her birthday this year. Tons of snakes, lizards, spiders, and a Blue Tongued Skink. The Skink was pretty cool! I knew Berlin would enjoy all of the reptiles, but I was shocked that her friends showed the same levels of bravery. Berlin later told me that she “doesn’t hang around those Sissy Girls, only tough girls!” She also plays ball, Softball. She plays for fun (That means there is still allot of “La-La” time) but when she’s focused, she’s a real player! I’m going to coach her team next year so I can keep a closer eye on her. Speaking of action, Berlin decided to drop Ballet this year. She let us know that Ballet is too boring. But of course, Vicki wouldn’t let her drop dance completely, so she has joined a new dance studio, and is taking a Funky Jazz class. Look out Fly Girls!
I stay pretty busy with work, Baseball, and my Motorcycling. This year I joined my trusty Honda CR500 engine (powerful) with a Honda CRF250 frame (state of the art handling) to create a dirt bike with the best of both worlds. Several others have done it too, and the results are well worth the hard work. I have a dirt bike website, and several other members are following in my footsteps. We had several group rides this year, and no serious injuries to report. Vicki thinks the web site thing is retarded at times, but it keeps me out of bars, and off the streets.
Roxy Dog thought it would be a good idea to see a little bit of the world this year too (while on a leash free outing with Bob). She was picked up 11 hours later, and several miles away by a nice family who called us. Vicki and I had spent the night looking for her in shifts. The following day Vicki was so stressed about the kids finding out that their dog was gone, that she ripped the garage door right off the track in her rush to get the kids to school. To make a long story short, Roxy’s home safe, and not pregnant/deflowered. It’s still not funny to Vicki yet, maybe next year, after more time passes.
This Christmas season was the first where Jack got to climb the ladder, and hang the lights. Good thing Grandma wasn’t around! He was very excited to be doing this, and it was time for me to be passing the torch. It’s the little things of Fatherhood that I really enjoy.
2008 is well on the horizon, and looks to be promising much of the same:
Work -Travel -Dirt bikes –Baseball/Softball.
I think my “Honey-Do” list will be longer as a home make-over is in the works. We have been in Aliso Viejo since 1995 and Vicki says its time! Lots of dark woods and black iron, should be both fun, and beautiful once it’s complete in 2025.
We hope that your 2007 has been as fun and rewarding. Happy Holidays and Best Wishes from the Higginson Family to yours!!
or go into more debt, 12-14K for a small pickup. Like Brit I payed off the CC cards so I'm just having a hard time for a car payment. 