2009 Stauffer Style

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Dear family friends, Well it appears to be that
time of year again . End of one year beginning
of new one end of one chapter and the start of
another. Life truly does go on. Here is our
year in review Ive tried to come up with an
interesting way to do the review this year and
asked for my familys help so here are their
thoughts in the form of a wordle - of what
2009 has meant to them.
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The Stauffers spent this year as a family
playing games, creating memories, sharing in
siblings trials and giggles. Not much down time
was spent in our actual home as one whole family
but the family chaos was full of love, faith and
fun here are more stories, memories, thoughts
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Stauffer's at Confirmation September 2009
Stauffer's at Christmas 2009
Stauffer's at
Easter 2009
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So Ill start with my stories first this
yearLets see what might need some explanations
not much really. I think my husband would say I
forgot to put Facebook on my wordle. I have
enjoyed connecting with my family and friends
through this internet connection, but if youre
not my FB friend I will give a brief explanation
Im an involved wife mom of four kids, addicted
to DrPepper, and still Director of Childrens
Ministries at St.Leos. Im currently involved in
LIMEX which stands for Loyola Institute for
Ministry Extension. I am working toward a degree
in Pastoral Studies through Loyola University and
Regis College. All this may lead to chaos but it
is the life that is mine and I am grateful for
the gift of every bit of it.
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Lets look into Steves 2009 looking at his
wordle you see his involvement in the kids lives
and activities. One of the activities of Steves
that will be changing in the next year is within
the Fire Dept. He made the decision to step down
from Chief so that he will have time to go back
to college. Hell still be involved on the dept
fighting fires and helping with EMT calls but
with the kids activities, college classes and
more demands at work the difficult decision
needed to be made. CaseIH is still his employer
and there are possible plans of sending him
abroad again next year! We were all interested in
the stories of Steves childhood as he relived
them on our family vacation to Michigan.. Poker
runs on the motorcycle have been a new experience
that will most definitely be repeated in the
upcoming years. This was the final year of
coaching softball though as our girls are all
beyond the peewee stage. Everyone seems to be
getting older. Hmmm. Is the 4-0 nearby????
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• 
  Kyla is currently a fifth
  grader who is beginning to expand her horizons
  from being the tag along to be the participant!
  Besides hitting the double digits she is now
  involved in band (saxophone), playing Bremer
  Volleyball, Husky Hoops Basketball, Optimist
  Soccer, and an altar server at church. She will
  be going through the DARE program, still loves
  doing crafts, writing stories and spending time
  with her friends giggling laughing - just
  hanging being typical 10 year olds. The Aurora
  Tornado did not help squelch her fear of storms
  but it did give us an opportunity to research,
  learn and explore weather and you know the saying
  knowledge is power well it helps remove some
  fears some of the time too! But she is our
  worrywart, so weve also been working on her
  prayer life Im trying to work this phrase into
  her psyche pray first let God worry for you
  rather than when all else fails, pray! Her
  newest challenge and privilege was being asked to
  join the Future Problem Solvers, this has been a
  great experience for her. Were just relishing
  in the fact that this is our last elementary year
  EVER! Relishing might be a strong word but we
  decided, as a family, the school year of
  2009-2010 would be a year of celebrating, not
  tears of sadness, so with that I will stick with
  the happier word.

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• Lets take a look at Alexas wordle Alexas FPS
  team earned a trip to the International
  Competition that was held in Michigan which begot
  us a family vacation as well. It was quite the
  experience, the trip, the competition and the
  RAIN! But we all had a good time and were glad
  the competition was in Michigan!
• Alexa has had to deal with some hard situations
  this year with the deaths of a favorite
  great-uncle, as well as that of her Godfather.
  On a happier note though school, education,
  learning and friends are all A for Alexa. Last
  year she participated in a drama production,
  which she loved and Im sure she will be in this
  years as well! This year she has enjoyed
  competitive volleyball and has a pretty wicked
  serve! Shes contemplating many possibilities for
  her future teaching, fashion designer, biker
  chic - the last one is inspired by the bike rides
  she has enjoyed with her dad on his motorcycle
  pretty sure its not a profession but a future
  passion, she is daddys girl. Shes still in band
  and truly enjoyed being one of Stevens biggest
  fans this football season. 2009 had many
  memories for Alexa
  some happy, others sad but they are her
  memories. Her stories.

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• Melinda has many stories of 2009. It was quite
  the memorable year, many trips, multiple
  activities and all things that make Melinda
  Melinda! She went on a BoyScout trip to Colorado
  - white water rafting and rock climbing were the
  highlights. She went to Montana with
  YoungNeighborsInAction (YNIA) highlights were
  making friends from Washington and California, as
  well as helping disadvantaged people J
  Also during the summer she umped played
  softball, that is when she was home not
  traveling or at camps. During the school year,
  Melinda has enjoyed be involved in band, the
  musical, weightlifting, volleyball and basketball
  but her favorite I believe has to be track. She
  lettered last year as a freshman in the Shot Put!
  This year, as a sophomore, she has had the
  opportunity to coach and ref youth in the Husky
  Hoops program. Thankfully her BFF is also
  involved in all the sports and fine arts
  activities which enables them to get the much
  needed bonding time that is not filled by texting
  or face book. Oh the joy of teenage girls.
  Melinda is quite involved in the church too. And
  beyond all that, her favorite pasttime is
  babysitting. whew! J

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• As you can see from this neatly
  constructed wordle that Steven T has many
  thoughts about 2009. Lets see he is a
  record holder in Hang Clean, a 4 year
  survivor of the weight room, lettered in
  Football, involved in track, marching band,
  jazz band. Hes in National Honor Society
  (treasurer too), graduated from Jr Leadership
  Academy, is in FBLA ( a co-chair for a
  committee) and is ranked 3 in his class. Oh
  and he got confirmed this fall, is an Eagle
  Scout, and will be graduating this spring (gasp!)
  But I think what overshadowed his whole year
  was the blasted knee injury and surgery! That
  and winning back to back state football titles!!
  Stevens knee incident changed his whole summer
  as he had to give up nearly all summer activities
  (Colorado, YNIA, football, 7on7, umping...) but
  it didnt change his outlook on his final
  football season - he was determined to be playing
  football his sr. year, his determination paid off
  as he got to suit up 2 games sooner than
  predicted! And Steven ended up winning the
  teamwork award at the end of the season! The
  other notable thought on his wordle is that he
  has given up soda, carbonated beverages where
  did I go wrong?? He is a wise and healthy young
  man and we are all so very proud of him, his
  grace, integrity, and guts!
• God truly has blessed us with him and his
  beautiful sisters !

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Mocha and Autumn are our dogs

• Autumn is a Shitzerainian Mocha is a German
  wire haired pointer.
• Autumn is somewhat feline and the dominant one.
• Mocha is still puppy and subordinate somewhat.
• Mocha loves to freak out at anything sparkly or
  lighted
• she gives us all much amusement
• as she looks at you with the dumbfound look of
• I dont unner stand yous peoples
• Autumn quietly just tolerates us
• although she does give awesome hugs
• usually telling you she needs to go outside but
  they are still very comforting.
• Silly dogs silly blessings in our lives!

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• We hope you have enjoyed our recap of 2009!
• 2010 has already began with adventures, stories
  and many memories and we are only 9 days in!
• We still have some memories to share here are
  the pictures you'll have to ask about the
  stories behind them!
• Here's hoping you yours enjoy twenty ten,
• with many blessings and peace from within!

Love, the Stauffer's
Steve Jodi and S M A K
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The year 2009 Stauffer family style
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Thanks for walking down memory lane with us! If
you are curious or are wanting more
memories Check out our past holiday letters
Stauffer holiday letters Peace many
blessings, jodi
In case the link doesn't work http//sites.google
.com/site/staufferland/holidayletters