CHRISTMAS PICTURE AND LETTER.....
Most of you who keep up with our blog, got this in the mail and have already seen our family Christmas picture and have read Frank's annual letter. But, so I can have it for our blog book, I am posting it below.

From 2008_12_07

Dear Friends and Family,

On behalf of the now five members of this segment of the Morgan family, we send you a heartfelt greeting, and our most sincere wishes that you and your family enjoy a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. This has proven to be a tumultuous year in many aspects for everyone, but we hope that you are all able to step back from the current state of affairs and simply enjoy the most wonderful time of the year, making the most of every minute you get to spend with your loved ones, release your inner child, and spend time being thankful for all we have. From all of us to all of you, we hope you each enjoy a safe, happy, and festive holiday season.

Once again this year proved to be a blessed one in our home, as we are very grateful to have welcomed a new addition to the family in February. Miss. Hadley Faith Morgan came in to the world February 18th, and has captivated the hearts of every member of our family ever since. Hadley provides the perfect compliment to the other members of the family, with her laid back, independent demeanor, seemingly happy in any situation at any time. During her first year with us, we have seen her go from a little baby to a toddler, who just a few days ago took her first unassisted steps. Gavin and Ellie have both been a great help with Hadley, and the smile on Hadley’s face when Gavin and Ellie get near lights up the house. It is really incredible to see the bonding that goes on between the three siblings even so early on, and we cannot wait to see it grow as time goes on.

Ellie continues to be the spark plug of the house, and definitely has found her own way in the world. Even though she is fairly small for her age, she is one who stands her ground, knows what she wants, and knows how to get it (she asks old softy, her dad). Her personality really lights a spark in the house, as does her smile. It amazes me how there is something incredibly unique and wonderful about the relationship between father and daughter, and she and I seem to get more inseparable as time goes on. She definitely has me wrapped around her finger, but unfortunately for all of us she knows it! She has had an active year which included her first dance recital, gymnastics, hip hop class, and first family vacation to the beach, all of which she absolutely loved. She is an absolutely amazing little lady, and we are extremely thankful to have her in our lives. I honestly do not even think the word “love” does justice to how we feel for her.

2008 was a big year of growth and maturation for our little man Gavin. It is still tough for me to realize that our “baby” boy turned five this year, as it seems like just yesterday we were welcoming him to the world. Gavin continues to amaze us with his gentle demeanor, his caring nature, and how much he simply wants to make everyone around him happy. It is a rare occasion to see Gavin without a smile on his face, and he seems to live to be loveable. Gavin experienced some major milestones this year, with Lacey teaching him to read, ride a bike, a Monday Night football game, his first t-ball season, cooking school, and even boogie boarding at the beach. Gavin was absolutely enamored with the beach vacation, and has decided that he wants to live at the beach when he grows up, either for the water or the T.V. he had in the room of the home we rented. Gavin is a complete joy to be around, makes doing anything fun, and can beat any mere mortal at movie trivia and the Kung Fu Panda Wii game.

Amazingly, even with the addition of Hadley, and having three kids five and under in the house, Lacey takes it all in stride and seems to thrive on it. Lacey is most certainly in her element surrounded by children, commanding their attention, and finding ways to spend quality time playing with and teaching them. Lacey has become an avid blogger, a Sunday school teacher, and decided to train for the Houston Marathon this year, and has done a heck of a job dedicating herself to achieving this goal. It becomes more obvious as time goes on that she has found her role in the world and is willing to commit all of her time and effort to the enrichment of our children and support of me. The four of us are very thankful for her effort, love, patience, and ability to keep this wild family unit running smoothly.

As for me, not a lot changed for me this year outside of the continued growth of our family. I was hoping to grow an inch or two taller this year, but instead added an inch or two in width. I was fortunate enough to go on our first family vacation to Destin, Florida this year, and it was absolutely incredible. We had an amazing time spending a week all together with nothing to do but have fun, and we sure made the most of it. We hope to be able to make a similar trip in the New Year, and are counting the days until we have the opportunity to do it again. I also managed to pick up a new hobby, fly fishing. I was lucky enough to be invited on a trip to go to Montana to fly fish, and I absolutely loved it. I continue to feel fortunate everyday for the life I have, the loved one’s I am surrounded by and the support they give me.

It is amazing that yet another year has come and gone in a flash, yet it was filled with so many memories and things to be thankful for. On behalf of this segment of the Morgan family, we hope that 2009 proves to be a happy, healthy and prosperous year for all of you. We thank you for your friendship, and hope to see you in the New Year.

Best Wishes,

The Morgans