2009 Year in Review aka Happy Chinese New Year & Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Year of the Tiger

(Note from Aurelia:

I "delegated" this year's letter to Jon. In his defense, he's had it written for a couple of weeks now. But I just kept procrastinating. No, I don't have a good reason to explain it. That's just where I'm at these days. So, following in the steps of our friends the Christensen family from ATL, who send out a yearly Valentine's Day letter, here it is. Bare bones, no bells & whistles, no p i c t u r e s *gasp*--un-Smileboxed, as it were. So this is what I'm doing. Playing on the computer--enjoying it while the power is on. While Jon is digging us out of the Blizzard of 2009-2010. I think this may be round 2 . . . or maybe 6? I've lost count. We've enjoyed reading your updates to everyone who was gracious enough to send us any Christmas letters, even though we're taking the digital way out. Hey, it's better than nothing, right? Right??? Please keep us on your lists. Yes, this is me begging. Comments welcome!)

Family, Friends, and one-eyed one-horned flying purple People-eaters,

It has been an exciting year for the Crider clan. We have experienced change and have over come much. Our new venture in Pennsylvania ought to provide us with many more exciting adventures as Jon finishes his PhD in History. The kids have adjusted well to their new home and school and enjoy the cultural and climate changes the Northeast brought us.

Eli began the year crawling and drooling. He ended the year walking and drooling. Squirt brings joy to everyone in the family. He is an easy going kid who loves to growl, play ball, and wrestle. He ended the year joining the nursery at church bringing needed relief to his Mom and Dad. One of the highlights of the year was taking a train ride with his Mom and Dad down to Chinatown for Dim Sum. He was a trooper and ate almost as much as the adults. 2010 promises to be a stellar year for Eli as he begins to talk and say the ever-elusive “Mom”.

Zane began the year with teeth. He ended with new teeth. Booger always wants to help people laugh and enjoy themselves. Last spring Zane played soccer having an excellent season as a defensive player. We will miss Coach and all the hard work he put into the kids’ skills. This fall Zane started karate and has proved a natural. It is hard to believe but Zane ended Kindergarten and joined the First Grade. Over the summer as we moved Zane spent time with his grandparents and cousins in Texas. He swam in the Atlantic Ocean and climbed to the top of a lighthouse. He even ate squid. Zane also focused on his writing skills and produced a collection of short stories.

Zoe began the year as a beautiful girl. She ended the year as a taller beautiful girl. Jelly Bean continues to be a big helper and brilliant big sister. Books are ever Zoe’s companions. She loves to read and read. Zoe practically became a fish this summer swimming so much. We hope to continue her love of swimming in the next year. This past fall she started karate and enjoys the physical activity of learning to control her body. She is one of only a few girls in the class but that does not slow her down when she spars with the boys. Zoe was amazed by all the colors of fall, which having lived in West Texas was something new and exciting.

Aurelia began the year enjoying West Texas placing down roots. She ended the year in Pennsylvania enjoying the new adventure and glad for the internet and phones to keep in touch with all her family and friends. She held her final piano recitals last spring and misses her students once again. She hopes to begin teaching piano in the near future. Aurelia was super Mom as she spent much of the summer as a single parent with Jon gone at conferences and fellowships, though she was able to attend one of the conferences in Albuquerque, NM. It was the first time in a long time that we had a weekend without the kids. During our move Aurelia enjoyed the time on the beach relaxing and the Jelly Fish also enjoyed her time at the beach this summer. Aurelia is once again in the Primary but this time as a Counselor in the Presidency. She loves working with the kids. Aurelia continues to play the piano by challenging herself with new pieces and providing beautiful music in our home.

Jon began the year as a poor graduate student. He ended the year as a published poor graduate student. Jon published two articles this year: “De Bow’s Revolution: The Memory of the American Revolution in the Politics of the Sectional Crisis, 1850-1861” and “Desertion and Race in the Llano Estacado: The Trial of William L. Umbles, Buffalo Soldier.” Jon is now a student at Temple University in Philadelphia. This summer he held a fellowship at the Cody Institute for Western American Studies in Cody, Wyoming working with his former advisor Gretchen Adams. After returning to Texas the rest of the summer became a whirlwind as he packed and moved his home and family to Philadelphia. With the help of his brother-in-law, Matt, the moving van made it safely to Pennsylvania. Jon then flew back to Dallas and began the journey with his family to the Northeast. They took the long way through Georgia spending time with friends there and then spending three days in Savannah. Once arriving in PA life continued to be busy as school for everyone started. Jon enjoys taking the train down everyday to school and getting use to urban life. While his first semester at Temple University was a trial, Jon hopes to finish his PhD in the next few years.

JAZZE Crider enjoyed 2009. We grew and experienced new and exciting things. We look forward to what 2010 will bring.