Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! The holiday season is a wonderful opportunity to cherish the moments we’ve had with family and friends and to reflect back on the many activities of last year. God has blessed us many, many times over the last year. We trust He’s done the same for you.

Stefanie reminded me that it was my turn to compose the Christmas letter this year.  I suggested that we create a Web site so that we could share pictures with all of our family and friends.  While it may seem a touch impersonal and Letitia Baldridge would certainly never approve, I hope that you enjoy this cyberspace adventure anyway.  (To view photos, click on "Photographs" at the very  top of this page.)

Ashton remains the center of the "Weaver Universe."  He had many new experiences this year including his first really big snowfall last winter and a biking and camping trip this past September.  He wasn't so sure about the snow, but he definitely enjoyed the camping trip.  He took "swimming lessons" at  the YMCA in February and March and seemed to like splashing around in the water with Stefanie.   He turned two years old in April.  We had a Nemo themed party for him.  He really enjoyed himself and all the attention lavished upon him by grandparents and friends.  He received his first tricycle from Gramalea and GrandadDean.  Grandpa Wally and Nana presented him with a big  red wagon.  Needless to say he loved both items, and they were staples of his summertime activities.

In September Ashton began attending a one-day-a-week Kids Day Out program at our church.  He loves his teachers Miss Sharon and Miss Jenny.  We weren't sure whether he would like it, but he has really enjoyed his time there interacting with other kids his age.

I have continued my duties as stay-at-home dad.  The challenges have continued to increase with the passing of time but so have the rewards.  Keeping up with Ashton and his antics takes up most of my time but I did find time to do some painting around the house and build a large potting bench. 

Stefanie has endured and survived changing times at the Kauffman Foundation.  While her schedule is hectic, she does enjoy her position there and has gained the respect and admiration of her colleagues not only in the Kansas City area but across the nation as well.

Over Memorial Day weekend the Pierce family gathered in Wichita for their bi-annual reunion.  We had a great time visiting (and eating) with the clan.  The Gifford family, too, held a reunion over the fourth of July holiday in Garnett.  We were all were treated to great food and fireworks.

In June Stefanie and I once again saddled up and rode the Bike Across Kansas tour.  We participated as members of the volunteer staff as we had done the previous year.   This was Stefanie's fifth tour and my sixth.  Just as Lance Armstrong has not committed to the 2005 Tour de France we have not made any plans regarding the 2005 BAK.  During the 2004 tour we spent one of our overnight stops in Osborne where Stefanie's dad grew up.  We spent time visiting with Stefanie's aunts.  Dean even made the trip out to visit with us.

Throughout the summer months Ashton and I made numerous trips to the zoo and went on many, many bike rides.  Animal cookies, stuffed animals, and books accompanied us on nearly every bike ride.  It is a good thing his trailer has the extra room!

In August we traveled to Green Bay to celebrate Stefanie's brother's wedding.  It was a fun trip and mostly relaxing.  Well, as relaxing as a trip with a two-year old can be.  We enjoyed the cooler weather and scenery provided by the state of Wisconsin.  A highlight for Ashton was spending an afternoon at the Bay Beach Amusement Park.  There were lots of rides appropriate for toddlers, and Ashton rode every one at least once.

Our very good friends, the McCauleys of Texarkana (formerly of Olathe), spent a long weekend with us in mid-August.  We enjoyed their company and the unusually cool weather we were treated to by Mother Nature.

As mentioned earlier we took a family bike/camping trip in September.  We packed our gear and traveled from Ottawa to Garnett on the Prairie Spirit Trail, camped in Garnett for a couple of days, and returned back to where we started in Ottawa.  We enjoyed good weather and safe, smooth riding.  Ashton seemed to get along just fine and coped without the conveniences of home like an old pro.

In October I met up with my good friend Kelly McCauley in Hinton, Oklahoma for our second annual Oklahoma bike tour.  We had a good time and saw some great scenery during the week that we were on the road.  See our links page to connect to my online journal and photo album documenting the trip.  Stefanie and Ashton spent the week having all kinds of fun and adventure in and around the Kansas City area.

Early in November we helped my parents celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with a luncheon and reception in Topeka.  Many friends and family members joined in and celebrated this milestone.

After spending a few days in Wichita for Thanksgiving, we put our holiday preparations into high gear.  A visit with Santa and lots of shopping were on the schedule early in the season.  Most of the shopping has been completed as I write this, but I am relatively certain that there will still be a few details to be wrapped up as Christmas Day approaches.

We hope that your Christmas Season is happy and restful.  Too often this time of year gets out of hand and our collective nerves become frazzled trying to "get it all done."    We all need to remember that this time of year is not about hunting down the perfect gift or hosting the perfect party or having the perfect children smiling perfectly in the perfect Christmas card.  Remembering the birth of Jesus in that simple stable in the quiet of that special night is all that is important and necessary.  Anything other than that is merely distraction.

We wish you the very best this Christmas.