The Pringle Family Year in Review 2009

Just what you've been waiting for- all the latest at the Pringle house coming to you and yours! We hope all is well and wish you a very Merry Christmas. We've had a good year, and look forward to the adventures we'll find in 2010. Meanwhile...

Ryan is loving 7th grade this year. He played football for Vista Middle School in the fall, is playing basketball now, and is looking forward to wrestling and track still to come. He's still studying piano and seems to appreciate the more intricate songs he's learning now as well as playing for the jazz band at school. He also plays the cello in the school orchestra. He's got music coming out of his ears, which is fine, because it seems to come naturally to him. He's working hard at earning his scout ranks (with a nudge or two from dad) and had a great time at Camp Parsons last summer.

Katie is having a great year in 6th grade. She played Veruca Salt in the school production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory last spring, and the acting bug bit her hard! She was fabulously obnoxious in her role (yes, sweet, mild-mannered Katie) and is looking forward to the spring play this year as well as being in the chorus of "Oliver" at the high school. The highlight of Katie's year was going to see "Wicked" in Seattle for her birthday. She continues to dance and is really enjoying the piano (She plays spontaneously! All the nagging may be worth it in the end!) as well as her musical theater class. She is also learning to play the clarinet.

Nathan, 4th grade, has declared his life's goal is to be "a nerd," and works very hard to achieve that goal. He has continued to play soccer and has developed into a good little goalie as well as scoring lots of goals. He recently played the role of an Italian puppeteer in "Pinocchio", complete with accent and twirly mustache. He loves Cub Scouts and is working to finish up his Bear rank. He's trucking along at the piano and finding satisfaction in his improved sight reading skills. Nathan hasn't yet decided if he will break away from soccer and try baseball this spring.

Sarah, in 2nd grade, is the little princess of the house. She really enjoys some solitude in this noisy house and loves to hide away in her room and play with her Littlest Pet Shop and Polly Pocket dolls and read on her bed. She loves to dance, dance, dance! She started at a new "serious" ballet studio this fall and seems to love to stretch further and higher and watches carefully to make things just right. She has a special musicality and loves to put on shows.

Collin, almost 2, has changed so much from his first birthday in February. He's very active and clever and is turning into a little chatterbox. Unfortunately, he has developed a love for "Blues Clues" and frequently drags one of us over to the TV for "a show! a show!" He is irresistibly cute with his dimples and big blue eyes. He loves to run and jump and climb and get into things he shouldn't, but he also likes color and to hide under blankets and snuggle and have stories read to him.

Mom and Dad are busy keeping up with everyone! There's a whole lotta music practicing and lessons, sports practices and games, church and scouting, dance lessons, school and homework going on around here! We're healthy and happy, though not always energetic, and enjoying our crazy family. We feel very blessed and look forward to a little down time...someday.

With love to you from the Pringles