We want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year. We've had quite an exciting 2007! After 2 fabulous years in Ramstein, Germany, Blake received a promotion within the Terex Corporation. With that promotion came a move to Italy in August to an area 45 minutes north of Venice working for Terex Comedil in the cranes division. We are still trying to get settled in but we are loving the experiences we are having. Just a rundown on what we’ve been up to this year...
Caleb (6 1/2) is attending an Italian Elementary school and progressing fast in the Italian language. He had a great year playing soccer in Germany and taking swimming lessons. He’s also excelling in piano and making his family laugh!
Sydney (9) is in 3rd grade on the U.S. Air Force Base nearby and having a great year. She starred in her class play last month. This year she also was quite the dancer in ballet and jazz and was on a German swim team. Her coach was amazed at her “beautiful” strokes! She also gets herself up at 5:55am every morning to practice piano before she leaves for school! She's a great alarm clock for the rest of us!
Cameron (10) is in 4th grade on the air base as well. He’s had quite a busy year as well with the German swim team (he’s a super fast swimmer), cub scouts and piano. He also made the all A honor roll and was elected to the student council at school! He also is doing well in piano! He just started playing on an Italian basketball team and loving it!...hmm, I wonder whose genes he has!
Carrie has had a busy year being a mom, chauffeur, travel guide, working in stake young womens, teaching piano, getting settled in a foreign country, etc. She's set a goal to run a 1/2 marathon - stay tuned...
Blake keeps busy with work, family, church and basketball. He's been doing some traveling with work this year to the states, Romania, France and will soon be traveling to Dubai. He's found another basketball group to play with on Saturday mornings here in Italy.
We are especially grateful at this time of year for the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ and the joy that that brings into our lives. We hope all of you have a wonderful Christmas season!
Love,
The Smiths, Blake ~ Carrie ~ Cameron ~ Sydney ~ Caleb
p.s. The pictures above are from our various travels this year on this side of the world.
