For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  Luke 2:11

Merry Christmas!

It has been a bittersweet start to the new millennium here.  The GREAT news is that Jan and I became grandparents again – not once, but twice! Haley Alizabeth Rattigan was born on March 1 to April and Dwight.  Then, Riley Nicolas Crabb was born on November 9 to Jessy and Mark Crabb.  Haley and Riley both are both wonderful additions to our family!

Haley was born on March 1 and weighed in at 7 pounds, 13 ounces.  She was 20 inches long.  By June, when Haley was 3 months old, she was diagnosed with cancer.  She had a tumor below her ear, on her neck that was malignant.  Since then, Haley has been undergoing a very aggressive treatment series to stop the cancer.  She has had chemotherapy treatments, surgery to remove the tumor and is now undergoing radiation therapy.  She is nearing the end of treatments and so far it looks like the cancer has been stopped.  It has not shown up in any of the other places that it normally spreads to, so she may be all clear soon.  In July we started a web site for Haley where we have been posting news and photos.  Prayers for Haley and her doctors have been coming in steadily from all over the world and are the reason for her miraculous progress.  Haley, herself, has been busy growing and learning, despite the battle with cancer.  She has a ready smile for all and seems to have decided to bypass crawling in favor of going directly to walking!  She doesn’t seem to know that she is sick and has not had much pain.  She takes daily trips to the hospital for treatment in stride, waking from anesthesia with a smile – ready to go!  This has been a difficult time for the whole family and has been especially hard for April and Dwight.

Riley was born on November 9 and weighed 8 pounds 8 ounces.  He was 21 inches long.  Riley was born hungry and, according to Jessy, he still loves to eat.  He has spent a few afternoons hear at the house and likes to lay awake and listen to the activity around him.

 Jan and I couldn’t be prouder of our two new grandchildren!  What a great way to start the twenty first century!

Bennie, Gayla, Amber and Mia are still living near Jacksonville, close to Gayla’s family.  They come down often to see us and we have been up there a few times.  Amber spent part of her summer at Jessy’s house watching the boys while Mark and Jessy were at work, so we saw quite a bit of her.  Mia has been here for short periods and hopefully will be able to come down longer next summer.

Jessy, Mark, Casey and Jordan have had a busy year preparing for a new brother, playing soccer and going to school.  Typical at their house, one morning before daylight as Jessy was getting the boys into the car for school, Jordan decided he had to catch a grasshopper to take to school!  Jessy gave them two minutes out on the driveway to make the catch thinking – no way!  They were right back to the car, in the dark – grasshopper in hand!!!  Mark has had a busy year at work but did manage to get some hunting in.  He brought home a deer so far this year.  Jessy is on maternity leave right now but is still doing some work to get ready for a big business meeting in January.

April, Dwight and Haley are well settled in their new home.  Dwight has taken on the battle with crab grass that all homeowners face and likes to cook out on his barbeque.  He has traveled around the country a lot this year on his job, so has had his hands full.  April has been working part-time from her home so she can stay and care for Haley.

Joy lives and works on the south side of Daytona, near the international speedway.  Her and Dave have taken some canoe trips on Florida’s rivers.  Dave is fishing and hunting at every opportunity.  Joy is now working in an office that processes medical insurance claims.  We see her here at the house frequently since she is close by.

Nicole graduated from high school and has started college at Daytona Beach Community College.  She has a scholarship from the state of Florida.  Nicole is taking a full college load and working 30 or more hours a week too.  Some days, she must meet herself coming and going!  She just completed her first semester and seems to enjoy the college.

My mother came to spend the winter with us here last year and returned home in March.  It went so well that she is back for this winter.  She has decided that trading snow and 20 to 40 below zero temperatures for an occasional thundershower and 70 to 80 degrees is worth the trip!  Last weekend, there were four generations of Kaeding family ladies together baking for Christmas!

In May, Jan and I, Jessy and Mark and Nicole went to New York to our niece, Kay’s, wedding.  We had a great time there thanks to our Louie’s parents, our hosts.  They had arranged for us to go to a New York Yankees ball game and we also toured New York City.  Jan’s family were also all there so we had a chance to visit them all too.  It was a wonderful trip!

As always, the kids and grand kids will be gathering here for Christmas, so we are beginning to prepare.  It has been a good year for us and is especially good now that Haley can see the light at the end of her ordeal!  Jan and I hope you have had a great year too and wish you the Merriest Christmas and a really happy new year!

Nicole
Jan
Al