Dear Family and Friends,
On behalf of me, Mommy and Daddy, please accept our warmest wishes this holiday season. I hope that by now all of your presents are wrapped, your cards addressed and mailed, and all of your baking is ready for the big day! If you have all of that done, you are way ahead of Mommy!!
It's been a busy month around the Vaneskahian house! Mommy wasn't so organized this year...I don't know what happened to her. She usually has the house fully engulfed in decorations from front door to back by the day after Thanksgiving. This year we were still looking at pumpkins come December 1st. She didn't even put up all of the Christmas trees- yes, that is plural, we have more than one! There's the favorite gingerbread man tree that's in the family room with my train that goes around the bottom, the fancy living room tree that I'm not allowed to touch, and the Coca-cola ornament tree in the game room. There's usually a smaller one in front of the fireplace in the master bedroom, but she told Daddy just to leave that one in the attic this year! And, there' the toy tree for my room. Right now it's still in it's box, along with the bins of ornaments- all hidden in the guest bathroom bathtub behind the shower curtain. She had good intentions of getting it put up before the parties started...but with any luck it will at least be decorated before Santa gets here.
On behalf of me, Mommy and Daddy, please accept our warmest wishes this holiday season. I hope that by now all of your presents are wrapped, your cards addressed and mailed, and all of your baking is ready for the big day! If you have all of that done, you are way ahead of Mommy!!
It's been a busy month around the Vaneskahian house! Mommy wasn't so organized this year...I don't know what happened to her. She usually has the house fully engulfed in decorations from front door to back by the day after Thanksgiving. This year we were still looking at pumpkins come December 1st. She didn't even put up all of the Christmas trees- yes, that is plural, we have more than one! There's the favorite gingerbread man tree that's in the family room with my train that goes around the bottom, the fancy living room tree that I'm not allowed to touch, and the Coca-cola ornament tree in the game room. There's usually a smaller one in front of the fireplace in the master bedroom, but she told Daddy just to leave that one in the attic this year! And, there' the toy tree for my room. Right now it's still in it's box, along with the bins of ornaments- all hidden in the guest bathroom bathtub behind the shower curtain. She had good intentions of getting it put up before the parties started...but with any luck it will at least be decorated before Santa gets here.
Last weekend I hosted my 2nd Annual Christmas Cookie Decorating Party with all of my friends! Mommy and I cut out and baked lots and lots of cookies, then everyone came over to decorate, eat and take some home. It was lots of fun!
We are spending Christmas eve at Grandmama and John Daddy's house in Hurst to be close to the rest of the family. So while I know that Santa will leave me presents there, I'm counting on him making a stop at my house even if I'm not home. I'm leaving my stocking at home just to see if he stops by!
Christmas eve we will be with the Bakers, grandparents and Aunt Sandy, Uncle John, and JD and Carley. Uncle John is cooking up the famous chicken and dumplings (Grammie's recipe, my great grandmother), we'll go to church, exchange presents-which there will be lots, and then to bed to wait for Santa! On Christmas Day we're going to the Boltons to celebrate with Aunt Mary and Uncle Vic, cousin Grace and her parents Brian and Jennifer, and Aunt Mary's side of the family! I just know it's going to be my best Christmas ever...especially since I made friends with the big guy in the fuzzy suit.
After having been explained to me in detail the concept behind Santa Claus and the behavioral requirements, I decided to get with the program. It sounded like it would be in my best interest! Last year Mommy and Naynay (Renee) tried to bribe me to sit on Santa's lap and I'd cry and run every time. Naynay even promised to get me a bigger helicopter than Santa could bring if I'd just get on his lap long enough for the camera to flash.
Well...this year Mommy and I got in the long line at the mall to wait our turn. I was quiet and cordial and friendly to the younger children who seemed to fear the unknown that was ahead at the line. I was brave, with my favorite F-18 Blue Angel airplane in my hand. I was taking it with me to show Santa and to tell him I would like a bigger plane this year- one that I can fly! The big man was friendly, seemed to like my airplane and asked if I'd been good. I assured him that I had...if he was leaving this decision up to me then of course my answer would be "YES!"
However, this was early in the month of December and there were numerous times that Mommy threatened to go back to the mall and revisit Santa about my behavior! The true test is only a few nights away now and we'll see just how strong the power of Santa can be...I also asked him to bring the "real" Little Einstein characters from Disney to my house to play with me. I just love Leo, June, Annie, Quincie and Rocket!
We are spending Christmas eve at Grandmama and John Daddy's house in Hurst to be close to the rest of the family. So while I know that Santa will leave me presents there, I'm counting on him making a stop at my house even if I'm not home. I'm leaving my stocking at home just to see if he stops by!
Christmas eve we will be with the Bakers, grandparents and Aunt Sandy, Uncle John, and JD and Carley. Uncle John is cooking up the famous chicken and dumplings (Grammie's recipe, my great grandmother), we'll go to church, exchange presents-which there will be lots, and then to bed to wait for Santa! On Christmas Day we're going to the Boltons to celebrate with Aunt Mary and Uncle Vic, cousin Grace and her parents Brian and Jennifer, and Aunt Mary's side of the family! I just know it's going to be my best Christmas ever...especially since I made friends with the big guy in the fuzzy suit.
After having been explained to me in detail the concept behind Santa Claus and the behavioral requirements, I decided to get with the program. It sounded like it would be in my best interest! Last year Mommy and Naynay (Renee) tried to bribe me to sit on Santa's lap and I'd cry and run every time. Naynay even promised to get me a bigger helicopter than Santa could bring if I'd just get on his lap long enough for the camera to flash.
Well...this year Mommy and I got in the long line at the mall to wait our turn. I was quiet and cordial and friendly to the younger children who seemed to fear the unknown that was ahead at the line. I was brave, with my favorite F-18 Blue Angel airplane in my hand. I was taking it with me to show Santa and to tell him I would like a bigger plane this year- one that I can fly! The big man was friendly, seemed to like my airplane and asked if I'd been good. I assured him that I had...if he was leaving this decision up to me then of course my answer would be "YES!"
However, this was early in the month of December and there were numerous times that Mommy threatened to go back to the mall and revisit Santa about my behavior! The true test is only a few nights away now and we'll see just how strong the power of Santa can be...I also asked him to bring the "real" Little Einstein characters from Disney to my house to play with me. I just love Leo, June, Annie, Quincie and Rocket!
We started celebrating the holidays with Thanksgiving! My Abuela came for the long weekend. Cousins JD and Carley and I went to see Frosty the Snowman at Casa Manana. That was my first experience with a big creepy snowman and he scared the bah-geebies out of me!! Mommy and I watched the second half of the show from the wings of the auditorium- far from our front row seats, with my eye on the exit sign in case I had to make a run for it!
Overall it's been a pretty good year for your friend, Marty! We've had a few fun vacations, including a trip to Orlando to see the Vaneskahian family, to the beach and the Kennedy Space Center. Mommy and Daddy took me to two airshows. One was in Houston to see the Canadian Snowbirds fly (they are aerobatic airplanes, not birds!) and we went to the Johnson Space Center in Houston too! I love space and rockets and was an astronaut for Halloween this year! In October I got to see my favorite, US Navy Blue Angels fly!
I also had a visit to see my favorite friends too! We saw Diego Live, and you know I love Diego the Animal Rescuer! We also saw Elmo. I went to my first circus too this year. I had a fun summer and played with all of my cousins, my friends who live close by, and I went to camp! I attended a cool camp for kids who like airplanes and things that fly at the Temple Shalom School in Dallas. It was fun and I learned new songs and traditions about the Jewish faith. Our family isn't Jewish but the camp was open to everyone and it was nice to meet new friends.
Turning three was a big plus this year too. I had a really great party at the Johnson's Corral- Renee and Uncle Tommy's house. Uncle Tommy bought be a real pony, named Tony, for my birthday. I love Tony and go visit him often. I feed him carrots, ride him some and walk him around the pasture. Tony lives close to the airport so when the planes fly over the pasture I tell him what kind they are and what engines they have. He's a good listener!
My big milestone this year was starting school. On Mondays and Wednesdays I go to the Spanish Schoolhouse in Frisco. It's a preschool that has a Spanish immersion program- that means they only speak Spanish and we learn the language much as we learned English, by listening and association. Of course, I have a tutor at home since Daddy is fluent in Spanish and I call Abuelo and Abu in Orlando and talk to them often about the new words and songs I learn at school. It's fun! We just had our Christmas program- and it was all in Spanish. Daddy, Mommy, Grandma and Aunt Mary came to see my program. (Below is my first school picture!)
Mommy had a pretty good year too! She and Renee are on the "oldies but goodies" tour this year, having seen Rod Stewart, Billy Joel and have tickets to see Barry Manilow soon. Of course you know Mommy- she loves those old guys- especially Bon Jovi! Mommy also went back to work part-time this Fall when I started school. Over the past few years while she's been home with me she's been freelancing- writing and doing some advertising for several clients. But now she's gone back to Allen Community Outreach on the days that I'm in school. That's where she worked before I was born. She loves the human services field and helping people in need. Once a month Mommy and I and our friend, Kathy also deliver Meals-On-Wheels to some very nice people who can't get out and grocery shop or cook their own lunch. They love me!!
Daddy's year started off really good as he met his friends for a "guys weekend" -actually Mommy referred to it as a "geeks weekend"- in Washington DC. They went to the Smithsonian and many of the National monuments. He said it was a great trip and brought me lots of cool stuff! Daddy's stayed busy this year at Alcatel as the merger with Lucent became solid and he was moved into a different group in the IT field. After managing with the group throughout the year, last month he had an opportunity to stay within the company but transfer to a new division with a new product. He's now working in security on what they call IPTV- it has to do with television signals over the internet. It means working with Microsoft and AT&T with this new program and gets him out of the computer support mode. He's excited about the new challenges and focus of his new career!
The only sad spot in our year was the loss of my pets. Both Little Dog, who was 18 years old, and JoeBob, Mommy's beloved cat of 20 years died this year. He was sick for a long time, and finally took his last breaths in her arms. Mommy was very sad and still looks for him when we come home. JoeBob was my constant companion from my first day home. Now Daddy...he's enjoying the extra peace and quiet- but he never was a pet lover anyway!
Well tonight Mommy and Grandmama and I went out to the Gaylord Texan for the evening to see the trains and pretty decorations and give me a chance to plea my case to Santa one more time. That's my picture with him at the top of my letter. He said if I could just stay good a few more days there might be something special coming my way! I took my Blue Angel airplane again to show him in case he forgot what I wanted! I think he'll come through for me...and I bet he leaves a little something at your house too!
Overall it's been a pretty good year for your friend, Marty! We've had a few fun vacations, including a trip to Orlando to see the Vaneskahian family, to the beach and the Kennedy Space Center. Mommy and Daddy took me to two airshows. One was in Houston to see the Canadian Snowbirds fly (they are aerobatic airplanes, not birds!) and we went to the Johnson Space Center in Houston too! I love space and rockets and was an astronaut for Halloween this year! In October I got to see my favorite, US Navy Blue Angels fly!
I also had a visit to see my favorite friends too! We saw Diego Live, and you know I love Diego the Animal Rescuer! We also saw Elmo. I went to my first circus too this year. I had a fun summer and played with all of my cousins, my friends who live close by, and I went to camp! I attended a cool camp for kids who like airplanes and things that fly at the Temple Shalom School in Dallas. It was fun and I learned new songs and traditions about the Jewish faith. Our family isn't Jewish but the camp was open to everyone and it was nice to meet new friends.
Turning three was a big plus this year too. I had a really great party at the Johnson's Corral- Renee and Uncle Tommy's house. Uncle Tommy bought be a real pony, named Tony, for my birthday. I love Tony and go visit him often. I feed him carrots, ride him some and walk him around the pasture. Tony lives close to the airport so when the planes fly over the pasture I tell him what kind they are and what engines they have. He's a good listener!
My big milestone this year was starting school. On Mondays and Wednesdays I go to the Spanish Schoolhouse in Frisco. It's a preschool that has a Spanish immersion program- that means they only speak Spanish and we learn the language much as we learned English, by listening and association. Of course, I have a tutor at home since Daddy is fluent in Spanish and I call Abuelo and Abu in Orlando and talk to them often about the new words and songs I learn at school. It's fun! We just had our Christmas program- and it was all in Spanish. Daddy, Mommy, Grandma and Aunt Mary came to see my program. (Below is my first school picture!)
Mommy had a pretty good year too! She and Renee are on the "oldies but goodies" tour this year, having seen Rod Stewart, Billy Joel and have tickets to see Barry Manilow soon. Of course you know Mommy- she loves those old guys- especially Bon Jovi! Mommy also went back to work part-time this Fall when I started school. Over the past few years while she's been home with me she's been freelancing- writing and doing some advertising for several clients. But now she's gone back to Allen Community Outreach on the days that I'm in school. That's where she worked before I was born. She loves the human services field and helping people in need. Once a month Mommy and I and our friend, Kathy also deliver Meals-On-Wheels to some very nice people who can't get out and grocery shop or cook their own lunch. They love me!!
Daddy's year started off really good as he met his friends for a "guys weekend" -actually Mommy referred to it as a "geeks weekend"- in Washington DC. They went to the Smithsonian and many of the National monuments. He said it was a great trip and brought me lots of cool stuff! Daddy's stayed busy this year at Alcatel as the merger with Lucent became solid and he was moved into a different group in the IT field. After managing with the group throughout the year, last month he had an opportunity to stay within the company but transfer to a new division with a new product. He's now working in security on what they call IPTV- it has to do with television signals over the internet. It means working with Microsoft and AT&T with this new program and gets him out of the computer support mode. He's excited about the new challenges and focus of his new career!
The only sad spot in our year was the loss of my pets. Both Little Dog, who was 18 years old, and JoeBob, Mommy's beloved cat of 20 years died this year. He was sick for a long time, and finally took his last breaths in her arms. Mommy was very sad and still looks for him when we come home. JoeBob was my constant companion from my first day home. Now Daddy...he's enjoying the extra peace and quiet- but he never was a pet lover anyway!
Well tonight Mommy and Grandmama and I went out to the Gaylord Texan for the evening to see the trains and pretty decorations and give me a chance to plea my case to Santa one more time. That's my picture with him at the top of my letter. He said if I could just stay good a few more days there might be something special coming my way! I took my Blue Angel airplane again to show him in case he forgot what I wanted! I think he'll come through for me...and I bet he leaves a little something at your house too!
Check out our Family Photo Album at http://www.flickr.com/photos/vaneskahian/sets/
Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas!
Love, Marty (Jean-Martin Garabet Vaneskahian)
Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas!
Love, Marty (Jean-Martin Garabet Vaneskahian)
