Christmas Letter & Card

I really dropped the ball on this one for getting it out on time. This is our Christmas letter, as written by Tom. This card was made from the photos Dina took of the kids w/Shelly. I'm sending out the last of cards tomorrow & Monday.



"Dear Friends and Family: It's that time of year again. No, not time for taxes, but it might be almost as painful. It's time for the infamous Gee Family Christmas letter.

Andrew had his first birthday this year. Due to his limited vocabulary, we were suspicious about his developmental progress. He was evaluated by professionals and they concluded that Andrew has a speech delay. He has responded well to speech therapy, and continues to make progress. He is still the most eager to talk on the phone out of the kids. He is a very social, happy boy.

Collin had his 4th birthday this year, and started his 2nd year of preschool. He continues to make slow, but steady progress with his motor skills (like putting on clothes) and voicing his needs. Collin was potty-trained this year, mostly because of Mindy's efforts. It is a rare day when Collin has an accident, even overnight.

Ivy began Kindergarten this year. She enjoys having friends and learning to read. She likes practicing basic addition skills and she even tests her parents' math skills, too. Ivy's favorite part of Kindergarten is getting her weekly prize for good behavior. She looks forward to this, more than anything else at school. Ivy improved her swimming abilities last summer, and can now, almost swim unassisted. Ivy is a very capable, if shy, 6 year-old.

Mindy is the figure behind the scenes, responsible for facilitating everyone else's growth and successes. She works with Collin and Andrew's therapists so that the boys can progress. She volunteers her time to help out in Ivy's class, from time to time. She keeps Tom motivated to keep on working to provide for the family. She also finds the time to maintain her personal fitness level, too. She won an informal fitness challenge (among friends) for seeing who could do the most exercise during a 3-month span. Jillian Michaels (from the Biggest Loser) and Denise Austin better watch out. Here comes Mindy!

Tom is the winner of an all-expense paid vacation to Kuwait. It was graciously funded by your tax dollars (through the U.S. Coast Guard). Ammenities include motorboat tours of the local ports, intermittent/censored Internet access and a 360 degree view of barbed wire at the hotel "Camp Patriot". Tom is not lacking for any tangible items or services.

His first impresions of the deployment were that it was like being on welfare. There were lines to get government hand-outs (equipment), and he was sustained by government checks. Deploying from San Diego to Kuwait left a different impression. The base is surrounded by barbed wire and armed guards. Except when the job requires it, Tom rarely leaves the base. It's a lot like prison. Tom plays chess with his roommate, which is also a nod to life in a POW camp. His fun-filled tour will come to a crashing end in early July 2009.

We're doing o.k. Thank you for all those who are helping out Mindy and watching the kids while Tom is playing with the boys in the "Sandbox." Many positive developments occured in our lives in 2008, but the upcoming year holds much for our family to look forward to. Merry Christmas, and I hope you have a happy new year.

Andrew, Collin, Ivy, Mindy and Tom"