Family Letter

For those of you who are internet savvy and don't rely on snail mail for your updates from family, cheers to you- if we didn't send you a Christmas card, that's why- you don't need it. So herein I'll post that which you would have received- the 2008 Laurion Christmas letter:

Greetings Friends and Family!

Another year is behind us- it went so fast! If you haven't had a chance to visit us in Paradise, here's the Hawaii Laurions’ 2008 in review.

Samuel has been the source of most of our laughs this year. He's become a fearless climber, explorer and the family daredevil- everywhere except the dinner table. He's learning new words everyday, still has his curly mop of hair, and is perfecting how to exploit his infinite cuteness for both fun and profit.

Nicholas started the next big phase in life with Kindergarten at Waikele Elementary this fall. He said goodbye to Miss Faith, his friends and the wonderful Pre-School that had been his home for over three years. It was a tough transition! After some rough days in the early going, he's settled in to Kindergarten and is learning his letters, reading, and how to be a good classmate and student. He had his first Golf lessons this summer and made his first Bogey- all by himself. He's the tallest in his class and frequently is mistaken for a 7 or 8 year old!

Mommy also had a big change in her life as she transferred from full-time Marine to full-time civilian. She now enjoys working for Booz Allen Hamilton as an Intelligence Analyst for the Army, and she really enjoys expanding her wardrobe beyond green and brown camouflage. She is staying in the Marine reserves, and she is continuing to make progress toward her degree in Accounting at Hawaii Pacific University, and ran a bunch of 5K's, 10K's and even a Duathlon in September.

Daddy had a big '08 as well, he started the year off by losing about 20 pounds and having a great Triathlon season in which he finished in the top 3 in his age group 4 times and completed the grueling Ironman 70.3 in Kona. He finally graduated from 5 years of night and weekend classes with a Bachelor's in Business Administration from Hawaii Pacific University, with (most shocking for those who grew up with him) a 3.6 GPA.

The highlight of the year was our big trip home to Minnesota in July. The boys got to spend almost the entire month with friends and family in Minneapolis, got to do some camping, and got to experience real mosquitoes and a big thunderstorm. Daddy and Auntie Rachie ran the big Lifetime Fitness Triathlon, the boys went camping at lake Superior, and Sammy got to meet the extended Laurion family for the first time.

In 2009, we are hoping for the best year yet. It's starting off right, with Grandma Liane spending 3 straight weeks in Hawaii, spoiling the boys and providing unsolicited decorative advice (kidding-love you Mom!). Daddy has a big season of Triathlons and bike races in the first half of the year, and Nicholas is going to start learning to swim. Mommy is in the final classes of her college career as well, and hopes to finish in early 2010.

There are some potential tough times ahead as well. Daddy is considering taking a commission from either the Navy Reserve or the Hawaii Air National Guard, which could mean spending a few months away from home.

Finally, some really tough news- Samuel is going to have surgery to correct his Hip Dysplasia on the 19th of January. Our rambunctious cutie will be in an immobilizing cast and wheelchair for up to 6 weeks, but God willing, this will cure the issue once and for all.

Please keep Sammy and the rest of the Hawaii Laurions in your prayers in 2009!

Sammy, Nicholas, Rebekah and Jon