The Barnett Family Update 2008

Barnett Family Update 2008

Welcome to the 8th year of our Holiday web updates! We almost didn't get this done in time this year, there has been so much going on we finally got our holiday cards (it's Dec. 20) and we're sending them out on Monday. Hopefully, everybody gets them before and/or during Xmas/Hanukkah.

The girls are now 14 and 12 - The picture was taken on our trip to Martha's Vineyard with the Young's in late August. We are keeping busy as usual with another year filled with activities, family and friends.

2008 is the 'tween year - since Naomi's Bat Mitzvah was last year and now we are gearing up for Aliza's Bat Mitzvah in November 2009. So, while we take a breath from all the party planning, the kids keep us really busy with all their activities. Vacations were a little light this since Naomi was at Camp Ramah for the entire summer and Aliza was there for 4 weeks after doing a local rec camp and swim team for the first 4 weeks of the summer. Andrea wound up taking a cruise with her girlfriends in the Carribean, then coming back to take a cruise with me up to Nova Scotia right after. Then the kids came back and we had a family vacation to Southern Massachusetts and Martha's Vineyard, which was just awesome. We went with Andrea's college roommate Ann, her husband Mark and their kids Sam and Emma. We are planning a short trip up to Mass again to go skiing over Xmas in the Berkshires.

The big news for Naomi was her starting High School. Yes, we have a freshman! Naomi was accepted in to the Humanities program at Howell High School, one of the 6 high schools that are part of our regional school district. So, she has been very busy with special projects and working/learning with her fellow students in this really great program. Naomi was in the school choir, but had to give it up because she also made the high school swim team and the practices conflicted. It was tough for her to have to give up something she loves, but it's also a great experience for her to have to make tough decisions now. Naomi is taking instant messaging to a new level - between her school/camp/other friends, we're amazed she has time to do anything else. Facebook has become a new hobby as she communicates with her friends that way most of the time. Naomi is still taking Dance 2 nights a week and attends Hebrew High school. We're very impressed with how she has adapted to all the chaos of high school (although the Andrea Taxi Service has never been busier!)

Aliza is now in 7th grade and has been keeping quite busy herself. Besides starting her own Bat Mitzvah season (she's already getting ready for several friends parties) she will begin studying for her own Bat Mitzvah soon. She is very excited to have the spotlight of course, and we're sure she's going to be fantastic. Aliza once again made honor roll with straight A's on her report card, so she has now joined her sister in the instant messaging fun! Aliza still participates in gymnastics, soccer and basketball, and is also in show choir (they had a great holiday concert!) and the school play (Bye Bye Birdie). The teacher that ran Darfur club has left so Aliza has made it her personal goal to keep that effort going - she is very passionate about Darfur as you know if you've ever spoken with her. She is still attending Hebrew school two night per week and taking piano lessons as well, in addition to Girl Scouts.

Andrea is in her 5th year at Solomon Schechter as the Middle School Science teacher. It's really amazing that she's been there for so long. She has continued the enrichment program as well as finally completing the new science lab and K-5 science program. She has really made the program her own, and the kids and parents really appreciate her, which is very nice. One of the biggest challenges this year has been coordinating pickups of Naomi given her new high school activities - it seems like when she's not working she's driving the kids somewhere! The cruise with her girlfriends was a cherished memory that they hope to make an annual tradition. We continue to host family get together's over the holidays and Andrea makes amazing meals for all. She is also busy making kippot for the woman at Aliza's Bat Mitzvah - another labor of love.

Scott is well into his 3rd year at Bluenog, and the company has continued to grow. The work has been piling up, and it's been a challenge balancing personal commitments with work, but it has been really exciting to see the company get bigger and have more success. The company has gotten a lot of press since September when the latest release of the product was launched, and Scott and his partners have been interviewed by press and industry analysts, so there are many articles that refer to the company. On a personal note, Scott was thrilled to gain Life Membership (7+ years) at the First Aid Squad. Scott is looking forward to Naomi joining the squad as a cadet (which she can do in 1.5 years at 16 years old). Scott also tries to share in the taxi duties when he isn't working and/or traveling to remote Bluenog offices.

On the extended family front, we love getting together with our cousins - Alison and Cameryn Thaler are currently in Israel with their parents, and we just saw Kaitlyn and Zachary Barnett over Thanksgiving and had a great time at Nanny and Poppy's house as well as the MOST Museum in Syracuse. Scott is going skiing in Colorado with his buddies in March, and Andrea is trying to schedule another girlfriend trip in August. In addition to the Young's, we got to see other family/friends throughout the year, including our new cousin Isadora Lillis (and proud Mom/Dad Beth and Chris!). Our sister Arianne recently turned 21 and has a fantastic job waiting for her when she graduates in May. Zayde and Jani have kept busy as usual and it's always great to see them at holidays and family get togethers. Grandma Tina's move back east was aided greatly by Uncle Larry helping her drive cross-country, and she's been a welcome addition to our weekly affairs. Nanny and Poppy continue to cruise and we're thrilled that they are enjoying retirement (although Nanny did do some subbing this Fall that she's still complaining about!!)

We are confident that 2009 will be as busy and exciting as ever, and we're hoping we see all of you in November for Aliza's Bat Mitzvah, if not sooner. Our door is always open, please come by and spend some time with us next year!

Love,

Andrea, Scott, Naomi and Aliza

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Barnett Family Update 2008