Dear Friends and Family....

Our 2009 Christmas Letter...

Wow…here it is Christmas time again! I'm trying something different this year. Instead of sending out a Christmas letter and picture collage, I've created a blog site for our family. I just created this blog site, but I've added pictures for each month of 2009. They are sorted by month beneath this blog. I hope you'll keep up with us on our blog site and I'll try my best to keep it up to date the whole year through!

For the past two years, we have went to Disney World the week before Christmas. I have to admit, we really miss not going this year and have already decided that we will definitely go in 2010. The boys are still at that perfect age where they're not too old to experience "the magic" of Disney. 2009 has been a great year for us, full of wonderful memories. Our big adventure this year was camping. I know, I know...who'd a thought that I would get into camping?! I have to admit, it was actually a lot of fun. Not to mention, we weren't exactly roughing it. Our pop-up was loaded with all of today's technology each time we camped...flat screen TV, DVD player, laptop computer, microwave, electric blanket in the winter months. That just sounds so funny! Guess it's the new millennium way to camp. Despite all the conveniences, we still had lots of cool outdoor adventures and great quality family time.

Another new adventure we started in 2009 is Geocaching. The boys love it (we all do). It's sort of like treasure hunting and gave us even more good quality family time together. Geocaching can be done anytime and in any city...it's even done in other countries and it's for all ages. If you've never heard of it, check out the details at www.geocaching.com. It may become a new adventure for your family.

Our big family vacation this year was a week in Destin. Believe it or not, it was our first family beach trip. We all had a fabulous time! Lots of R&R, fun, beautiful weather and beautiful beaches. I have a feeling it's going to be an annual tradition.

Matthew is in 2nd grade and so far, has managed to make all straight E's and A's all year…I am SO PROUD OF HIM! He has managed to lose most of his baby teeth and looking much too grown up for me. Matthew still enjoys playing baseball and basketball and has added skateboarding to his list just recently (maybe a little influence from his cousins, Josh and Jacob). Legos are the hottest toy in the Delph house this year. You would think we owned stock in Lego. It's driving me crazy, just trying to keep them organized and out of the way. (Hmmm….Lego stock...that might not be a bad idea now that I think of it!)

Michael is getting so big, he's 4 now and gets funnier everyday (if that is possible). He still loves to please Mommy and Daddy. Although, if you ever see me in Wal-Mart or Target, you might think different (he's good at throwing those "I need that toy" tantrums). Michael adores his older brother and is excited that he will get to play ball in the Spring, just like Matthew. Michael's favorite thing this year was all the hikes and bike rides we went on. He's definitely an outdoorsman.

Mark surprised us all when he sold his Porsche to buy a jeep. But so far he hasn't found a jeep to suit him. Hmmm....I wonder if it's because he can't quit looking at all the little sports cars! He has kept pretty busy this year coaching all of Matthew's sports (and done a great job, I might add). He has also been promoted to a nice position at work to utilize his Master's Degree he worked so hard on. I'm very proud of him!

As for me....just holding down the fort as usual and loving my job as "Mommy". I was lucky enough to get asked back to work part time again at Concord Christian School, which, by the way, Michael is handling much better this year.

God has certainly been good to us in 2009 and we are so thankful to Him. We are also thankful for all our friends and family. Even though we get busy and don't get to see everyone as much as we'd like, you remain in our hearts and prayers. May you all be blessed with a Merry Christmas and a wonderful new year filled with blessings.

Love,
The Delph Family

Dec. 2009 Pics

Matthew playing in the snow we got at the beginning of December. He was pretending the trampoline was an ice rink.

Why is it so hard to get a good Christmas picture? This was our first attempt and it would have been an acceptable one except for the sunlight coming in on my head. (Could have said it was my halo! lol) Some photographer, huh... (actually, we used a tri-pod and took them ourselves just like last year). Well, we took a ton more just to get one pose where everyone was looking okay. The boys decided they hate taking Christmas pictures at home! Mark and I decided it might be worth paying the money to go to a studio. But we ALL agree that we've had some memorable Christmas picture moments that I'm sure we'll laugh about in the years to come.

I wonder when they're going to quit letting us dress them alike.

Michael's new Hallmark ornament this year was "Indiana Jones" and it plays the theme music. Our tree sounds like an Indiana Jones movie...he pushes that button practically every 5 minutes!

Matthew got a Snoopy and Woodstock ornament set. Snoopy is playing the guitar and Woodstock is sitting on an amplifier. It also has music, but Matthew is not quite as bad with the button pushing.

Thanksgiving 2009 Pics

Bass Pro Shop (Hampton, VA) was open on Thanksgiving Day. They had free activities and games for the kids and Santa was there. This is Jacob and Michael playing with the remote control monster trucks.

Michael at the shooting range.
(Love the tongue....he's really concentrating!)

Coloring Christmas pages with Mamaw.

All the cousins with Santa.
Josh, Jake, Matthew and Michael (in front)
(Notice Michael's good behavior! lol)

Michael and Dad at the remote control race track.

Michael loves trains.

The boys with Santa.

Santa getting all the details of their BIG list.

Matthew, Jacob and Michael posing with Taz.

Taz is so cute! Look at him posing.
Oh wait...I think he is wanting a treat.Trying to get a good picture of the boys in front of Mamaw's tree. Someone had too much sugar...can you guess who???

Still trying...

Ok..this one is pretty good
(even though Michael thinks he is a little reindeer)!

Posing with Papaw.

Memories with Mamaw and Papaw.

Another fun pic with Mamaw and cousins.

Love my little sis!

Love my mom!!!

Nov. 2009 Pics

Our last camping trip of the year.
Matthew is playing with Mark's ipod touch.Daddy snuggles by the fire.

Michael can't stay away from the fire.

Beautiful scenery on our way to Cades Cove.

Michael was excited that he didn't have to be buckled while we drove through the loop at Cades Cove.

Matthew sat on Dad's lap and drove for a little bit.

Beautiful mountains.

We stopped and had a picnic lunch in the field.

More of God's handiwork. That is deer and turkey in the field.

Matthew and Coach Mark (a.k.a. Dad) at the Fall Baseball Trophy party.

Michael is laying on the seat pouting because he didn't get to play baseball and get a trophy.

The Fall Baseball team.

Highlights of Matthew's Fall Baseball Season.
Note: Mute the music at the bottom before playing video.

Oct. 2009 Pics

Mark on his 40th birthday. I had a small surprise party for him. His dad helped me by taking him golfing that day until it was time for the party.

Happy 40th birthday, Mark!

Matthew and his friend, Ethan, one day after school playing rock band.

We met G'pa Kurt and G'ma Jeanne at Dollywood one weekend.

Fun on some rides.

I have no idea why they would want to pose here! lol

On the Scrambler with G'pa.

The boys were trying on some of their old costumes - trying to decide what to be for Halloween.

Of course they had to make sure the costumes were fun and durable!

This is "Chief Lot O'Hair"

Cowboys and Indians getting along for a brief second.

The crazy cowboy and crazier indian!

Michael finally decided on Wolverine.

Matthew wanted to be a rock star.

Check out his tattoos (it's a sleeve). The scary thing is, this is normal for some teenagers. I'll go ahead and start praying about that.

Trick or Treating at the Freaky Friday event in Farrgut.

Mark usually dresses up with the boys. This year, he just threw on a rock star wig. Too funny!!! He just looks like a big ol'redneck with a mullet.

This is just Michael's pile of candy!

After Halloween, we bought some Star Wars costumes (half price) for the boys to play in. (As if they didn't have enough dress up clothes.)