The Moore's - Christmas 2006

The only thing I see on the calendar is Collin had about five teeth removed in preparation to get braces, and Collin really didn't want to remember that! This might be a very short Christmas letter! Woo-hoo for you!

We went to my sister Georgia's in Cincinnati and we all went to mass at the Covington Cathedral. I had no idea there was a church this beautiful here in the states. Covington Cathedral

Brian broke his ankle in two places . How? Oh...... well that would be riding one of Collin's scooters down our driveway! We don't know what was scarier......Brian laying at the end of the driveway with his foot pointing a way it shouldn't be pointing.....or.....Ian backing up the van down the driveway with Collin directing him.......and Brian laying there waiting for them, hoping he wouldn't be a pancake with a broken ankle! He was home from work for about 2 or 3 weeks, I'm not sure......I've tried to block it out. The last week I do remember telling him...one more episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation and you won't live to see the end of it.

Grandma Mim and Grandpa Norm came out to stay with the kids while Brian and I went to Florida for a week at The Swan at Disney World. Brian attended a convention of Chemical Engineers (yes you could pick out the engineers in the lobby) so our lodging was on the house, that's why I went. During the day Brian attended conferences and we did Disney at night with friends Margie and Jerry. Brian was also in a wheel chair at night since he was only given clearance to walk on his foot the week before. We did get to bypass the lines at the older rides at Magic Kingdom.......that seems to be what everyone wants to know.
Mickey was incredibly understanding!

Ian made his confirmation, which turned out to be the same weekend Aunt Cheryl was planning to visit. Georgia and family came too...so it was a fun weekend! Ian was in a particularly awkward hair stage (I'm glad to report it has settled down now), we did wonder what had the biggest circumference, Ian's hair or the Bishop's hat?

Gretchen and I took a road trip to North Carolina to visit Margie. It was a very Thelma & Louise type road trip, we basically acted like Thelma and Louise when they were about ten! Gretchen and I are very immature when left to our own defenses. I didn't know one could laugh, snort, and drive at the same time! I did learn one cannot sneak and eat gummy bears while Gretchen is sleeping without her finding out!

Brian and the boys went to the Wisconsin Dells for their annual boys trip. Grandpa and ma Moore joined them for a couple of days at the Kalahari Lodge. Grandpa Norm made it his quest to go on as many water slides as possible, Collin made it his quest to stay off of as many waterslides as possible. They did ride the "Ducks", you know those water/land vehicles they used in WWII!

Ian went to Germany with his High School German Club on a 15 day trip. The itinerary is here. Highlights included swimming in the Olympic pool at Munich. Visiting the site and museum of the concentration camp in Dacau. It also includes a family visit, he spent five days with the Maier family in Ulm. The parents didn't speak any English, but the kids did, so they got along just fine. The father was retired and showed Ian the sights of the town. Ian attended a German High School with the daughter for a part of a day. He was also there during the Soccer World Cup which Germany was in, so that made for an exciting trip. The Indy Star did a little article on the trip and Ian had his 1.5 seconds of fame! The article is here! Ian takes after his mother and doesn't take a lot of pictures.

We went on our annual boating trip with Bob and Sue Simpson on Lake James in Angola, Indiana. Ian and Collin attended robotics camp at the High School, Ian was a helper and Collin was a camper. It was worth every penny for this picture alone! Never will I get them in the same shirt at the same time again.

Collin started Jr. High this year, they redistricted here so none of his friends went to the same school as him. He started from scratch.....again.....second time since we left Granger. But he's doing okay.

Ian started his Junior year, and every week we ask him........do you know what college you want to go to? Every week he says.....no.

Brian and the boys attended a Colts pre-season football game. Pre-season was cheaper and they got free hot dogs!

Fr. Bill visited us twice this year as a layover while traveling through Indy. All in all he is a pretty good house guest, but all the stories of him and Pope John Paul get to be a bit too much! And....NO.....Fr. Bill doesn't have a computer! :-)

First week of October, I met up with some of my reading group friends in Edinburgh, Scotland. Stayed at a B&B with Marcie from Louisiana, and Chirre from Finland. Chirre spoke perfect English........we have must have been an earful though with our Southern, Chicago and Finnish accents going about a mile a minute at the same time.

Took a quick weekend to Surrey, Canada and met up with my reading group and author Diana Gabaldon. It was the best Gathering yet!

The kids get a full week now for fall break, so we were off to Disney World. You would think after taking almost every vacation here we would be bored, but it was the best trip ever! Great weather.....not crowded.......lot's of candy.....and the kids really appreciated it too since they both realized with Ian almost out of High School it won't happen again for awhile if ever. Brian and Mickey were both out of casts!

Brian becomes a Black Belt in Six Sigma after six weeks of training. Now I know what most of you are thinking......Brian's taking a Greek Karate Class????

Actually, Six Sigma is a disciplined, data-driven approach and methodology for eliminating defects (driving towards six standard deviations between the mean and the nearest specification limit) in any process -- from manufacturing to transactional and from product to service. Yeah......I cut and pasted that off some site! :-) What it basically means for us is.........Brian won't have to travel for about three years.

Well.......it's almost the middle of December as I type, and to be honest not a heck of a lot has happened so far. But after '05, we really really like it that way! So let me fill you in on family news of '06. My mom's companion Jim died of lung cancer and my brother Scott moved in with a friend. Sister Renee is still cancer free! Sister Cheryl is now a grandma, her son Brandon had a baby boy. Sister Georgia thought Brian's little plastic cast bootie thing was so cool when he broke his ankle, she thought that breaking her leg playing pool volleyball would be cool too and did that! Brian's sister Brenda and family came to Chicago for Thanksgiving, so we were able to see them this year. Grandma and pa Moore are healthy and happy and driving each other crazy.......crazy in love!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and heartfelt Healthy and Happy New Year!