Merry Christmas to you all!

A year ago in December (2007) we flew to Oregon in time for the birth of our granddaughter, Cambria Lynn, on Dec. 17th. Jeff and I took care of Josiah and Micah while Dan and Anna were at the hospital. Our whole family was able to have Christmas together in Oregon! A first since Mike had joined the army. He was discharged after four years of service in August '07 and moved back to Corvallis where he lives now with his dog, Alvin. Tim is at USNA. Jill and Nolan are in Albany and Dan's family is in Salem. This blog will take you through much of our year. But let me get back to a year ago. My dad was diagnosed with some major heart problems and needed open heart surgery. I flew back to MD after our Christmas in Oregon then flew to California for my dad's surgery on January 10th. I stayed a week then flew home to MD to tie up some loose ends and put the Christmas decorations away. At the beginning of Feb. I flew back to California to stay for a month and take care of my dad when he came home from the hospital. My sister and brother live there but they both work full so I was able to be with Dad all day. It's been a long year for him but he is doing quite well now. Needless to say, our Christmas card just didn't really happen! Reading our blog will help you catch up on the Steiners!

For this December 2008 Jeff and I are flying to Oregon tomorrow, Dec. 19th. We were supposed to leave this morning but who knew it would snow in Las Vegas??? We had booked our tickets through a "safe" state! We are thankful to have tickets for tomorrow! It's been snowing and very cold in Oregon so we hope all goes well tomorrow! Saturday is the big birthday party for our one year old, Cambria! Can't miss that! I'll keep you posted for 2009!

My dad after surgery

After Dad came home Anna drove to Visalia, California with her mom and the three kids! She wanted Jeff's folks, my family, and me! to see their newest great granddaughter. Thank you, Anna and Julie!

Jill and Nolan came for Thanksgiving

Jill and Nolan came the week before since tickets were much cheaper that way! It was great to have them for a whole week and coming early meant they got to see Tim. He came home for the weekend so they were able so spend some quality time together....video games!....before he flew to Oregon for Thanksgiving! Jill and Nolan were just happy to sleep....and rest....and nap....it was great for them! Jill and I had lots of girl time, too. It was fun to share our Maryland home with them. Our Thanksgiving dinner could have fed an army...or navy! It was a fun day. The next day they flew home and, as usual, it was so quiet once again.

DC with Jill and Nolan

Jeff took the day off and we rode the metro down to see the newly re-opened American History museum. The Gettysburg address was on loan so we got to see that display. The other new display is of the actual flag that inspired the writing of the Star Spangled Banner. It's huge! I got a shot of Jeff and the kids with the USDA building in the background....the BIG one! It's not where Jeff has his office but there are many days he goes into DC for meetings. Great photo ops! Also, Jill with a doll house.

Luke Penner from Corvallis

Below you'll see Luke. We ran into him outside the stadium after the game. He's a senior at USNA. It's always exciting to see a someone from home!

Navy/ Notre Dame Football Game

In late November Navy played Notre Dame at the Baltimore Ravens Stadium. It was a rainy windy day! Navy lost but they had an exciting finish! You can read about it in Tim's blog: http://midswatch.wordpress.com/

OOPS!

Just when I think I'm doing pretty well! Here is the picture of Jason and Tim which I tell you about farther down! You'll see three little kiddos in their new Christmas jammies I sent where Jason and Tim were supposed to be! They are cute! Josiah, Micah and Cami! Anna took this and sent it to me.

Fall in Annapolis

Tim got himself a very nice camera. Other guys buy expensive cars....Tim bought a camera! We took him over to a park near our house one Sunday so he could shoot some pictures of the water.

One way to make the long distance shorter with our little kiddos is to web cam. For my birthday Dan, Anna, and the kids had a little cake with a candle so when we web cammed they sang to me, blew out the candle and ate! Then I read them a story. It was the best present ever!

Here's our house with it's new paint job from last summer. Jeff and I got out and raked (he used his new blower the kids gave him for father's day....thanks!) the leaves in our yard and the two neighbors on each side. Small yards make it easy!



After a football game Tim brought his good buddy, Jason Mahuna, home for dinner. We couldn't resist getting a photo of these handsome mids!

October in Oregon

I was able to sneak a trip back to see the kiddos while Jeff was travelling somewhere. Josiah had broken his leg so he was in a full leg cast. He slept on my aero bed since climbing to the top bunk was difficult. However, he could scoot anywhere he wanted to go! They wouldn't let him have crutches as he might put pressure on his leg. Micah and Josiah had a great time playing on the mattress. It was a squealing delightful time!!! One day we made play dough. Those boys can play with play dough for a long time! Micah is quite serious and precise! Cami enjoyed watching and eating cheerios!

Tim as a 2nd class midshipman

Now that Tim is a junior (2nd class) he gets to wear civilian clothes when he leaves the yard so I was lucky to get a picture of him in his dress blues uniform after a football game. He has two slanted stripes to show he's a second class. And another photo of what he looks like each Sunday when we take him back to the yard. He's carrying his duffle bag of clean laundry. He does it at home!

Marine Corps Marathon

On October 26 Jeff, Tim, Catherine and I all got up very early to ride the Metro into DC. Along with thousands of other people we got off at the Pentagon stop and walked about a mile to the starting line up. It was a beautiful day! We said good bye to the kids and they went off for the start of their long journey of running the marathon. Jeff and I absolutely loved getting to watch this huge event! Marines everywhere and runners galore!! Along with all the spectators. We rode the Metro around to try to see our runners but never caught up until the end. We had a blast cheering everyone on! What an emoional experience! This photo of Tim and Catherine is six hours later and they are exhausted but triumphant! They finished! Catherine's knee gave out on her and she was in a lot of pain. What a trooper for hanging tough!


Catherine flew back in October for the Marine Corps Marathon. Tim and Catherine had been planning on this for months. We got to take her to lots of USNA events including a rainy Navy football game!

Brian and Dana come to visit

In late September Jeff's brother, Brian, and his wife Dana came from California for a visit to the DC area. It was great to have them here! They got to see Tim and even experienced a night of feeding Tim and other midshipmen a home cooked meal. Mostly they did touring each day on their but one day the four of us went to Mount Vernon. Come back any time!