After Joan and I had dated a few times and were getting to know each other she told me one day that her goal in life was to wear out, not rust out, little did I know she was not kidding, she likes to stay very busy. But then I thought that fits in with my philosophy which is we not be able to avoid growing older but we can sure delay growing up and that's me I don't want to grow up.

Those of you that have received our Christmas letters in the past know we like to stay busy and we do. A quick recap of some of the things that have kept us busy in 2009.

On January 16 I told Joan we will be going out to dinner tonight, I took her to Mama Leone's Italian Restaurant where we went on our first date on January 16, 1999, 10 years to the day.

We have season tickets to the Maltz Theatre, we see 5 shows a year usually about one every month for 5 months we went on January 17.

On January 25 Joan and I spent about 6 hours with Carter at the South Florida Fair, don't know who had the most fun him or us.

January 30 Christopher came for a visit and for Carter's birthday.

January 31 Celebrated Carter's birthday a day early with just the immediate family.

February 1 Carter's fourth birthday party with his friends and other family. The party had a Fireman's theme. The firemen came with two fire trucks, gave the kids a show of what they do and gave them all plastic Fireman's Hats. Great party, fun for young and old.


Other February happenings, Joan's childhood friend Elaine and her husband Fred came for a visit, Joan and Elaine did a lot of reminiscing.
Carter started T-ball which kept us busy for quite a few Saturday mornings, such fun to watch them and see them develop from week to week.


Joan and her dear friend Jenny went on a weekend church retreat, they had lots of fun and fellowship with other church members.

The Palm Beach Count Women's Bowling Association had a bowling tournament to honor the women in the Palm Beach County Bowling Hall Of Fame of which Martha is enshrined, Martha couldn't make it so I stood in for her. A very emotional day spent with women who bowled with Martha and Bubba for many years. They kept coming up to me all day with wonderful stories about Martha and Bubba.
March seen a couple of really nice baby showers for Barb as we awaited the arrival of Carter's little brother.

March 26 Barb had to go to the emergency ward. March 27 Griffin was born at 6:49 PM, 6 weeks premature, a very exciting but also scary day.

March 29 Barb left the hospital and had to leave baby Griffin there. She said it was one of the hardest things she ever had to do. He stayed 12 more days, a lot of that time in the incubator.







March 3 , celebrated Joan's birthday.

April,
Easter at Barb & Brett's with family and friends..

Carter started soccer:


April 19 did my first BLOG

24th Barb's birthday

30 th got sad news my brother-in-law and great friend Frank Strawderman passed away.

May 9, five years since Martha had her stroke

May 10 celebrated Mother's Day.

May 11 joined The Staying Alive Fitness Center, been going 5 days a week since then, trying to stay in shape to keep up with Carter & Griffin. LOL

June 21 great get together for Father's Day, a really fun day.

June 26 A wonderful family member Maria Johnson came to spend a few days, she got to see Griffin for the first time, she is a kinder garden teacher and she and Carter had so much fun together.



June 27

A wonderful party for TJ to celebrate his marriage and a farewell party for him as he was shipping out to Iraq were his is now serving. A good time to remind every one to keep our troops in our prayers.





That is just a part of our year so far, the rest of the year from July until now we really got busy. As Joan says she wants to wear out, not rust out. LOl