Our 2009 Christmas Letter...to all, and to all, a good night.

With the advent of technology and electronic communication, I almost feel like asking ‘What can be said that hasn’t already been said”? But wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and the best of times for the New Year never gets old.

All of our children are living in the same places – Sacramento area and Everett, WA. No new grandchildren, a new dog at Tim and Shar’s house and of course we still have at least four cats that come to our place for nourishment. Ben’s sister, Dobbie, is a blessing to our family.

We did some traveling this year. We went to Washington D.C. in January with Charley and Frank (my cousins) for the Presidential Inauguration. There is so much to see there and we met many friendly and happy people.

In July, we made what seems like an annual affair – going to Eugene, Oregon for a reunion with some of my schoolmates. We continued on north to spend a weekend with Steve and Harriett who will be living in Everett, WA for another year.

The River Cats was more fun this year. We worked part-time as ushers (Guest Services) and enjoyed that more than working in the gift shop which we had done for the two prior years. Ben got to see more ball games and I enjoyed working at a variety of gates, etc.

We checked out Reno’s new baseball stadium when the River Cats played them in July. We lost, but certainly enjoyed seeing their new park and relaxing in Reno..

Ben and his daughter Jennifer co-coached an under 10 Girls’ Soccer Team again this year. Lauren was on their team.

In September, my cousin Tom married Jennifer in the San Francisco Zoo. Check out my blog for further details: http://benoresther.blogspot.com/

The highlight of the fall was attending the two day Breeders’ Cup World Championship horse races in Arcadia, CA on November 6th and 7th. Zenyatta, a mare, surpassed all of the boys in the Classic Race to become the first mare in history to do so. Go Girls. Of course this was a dream come true for Ben to attend this internationally attended event.

Our plans include hosting Christmas brunch again this year. We enjoy having our family with us. Steve and Harriett had her family from Texas with them for Thanksgiving.

Our seven granddaughters range from 16 to 2 ½ and bring us joy as we watch them wind through their various stages. Somehow, being a grandparent is a second chance to enjoy these cute girls with our full attention and with fewer of life’s demands on us. Whether it’s playing softball, soccer, dance, drama, music or achieving honors at school, we are so thankful to be a part of all of it.

Let’s keep in touch. You are the hub of what makes our world go around.
(Facebook: Esther Lebeck Loveridge. E-mail: benoresther@sbcglobal.net)
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