POST-DATED UPDATE

December 1st, 2006


Dear Family and Friends,

We just wanted to take a minute to extend to you all our best during this holiday season. Our hearts were touched with the response and support that was shown by family and friends in celebrating the marriage of Eric and Kathleen. Thank you for your love and support and for being the great family and wonderful friends that you are.

It has been a few years since we have written a holiday letter, and I have missed that opportunity. Maybe I am a little old fashioned when it comes to not wanting to use the new age e-mail Christmas card, or some other hi-tech greeting (That being said our email address is ldshouse@gmail.com and Brian and Jeni have established a blog with links to everyone elses blogs. That blog address is http://www.therawlberrypatch.blogspot.com/). But, when it comes to the Holidays, there is nothing quite as special to me as hearing from all of you. Thanks for continuing to keep us on your mailing list, and having hope that we would write, again.

Our family continues to grow and our “nest” in a few years, will be empty. That may sound a little sad, but, it isn’t really. Our latest news on that front is by the first of the year we will have all of our family and especially our grandchildren close by. We don’t know how long we will enjoy this pleasant reality, but, we are elated that we will not have long distances to travel to enjoy each others company.

Chase, Anna, Cameron (3yrs) and Miles (8 months) will be moving from Chicago. Chase has received a transfer with his employer (Grant Thornton) to move to the Dallas office. We will be their place of residence until they find their home. We look forward to seeing them, here, when things are finalized with their housing in Chicago. I know they are anxious to have a yard and all the luxuries that having your own home offers.

Brian, Jeni and Natalie (1½ months) live in Little Elm. We welcomed little Natalie, October 15th, at the hospital where I work. It was fun to see another grandchild enter this world and be able to share this joy with family and the great bunch of women with whom I work. Needless to say, we have had an extremely fun time buying pink things for Natalie. Something that we haven’t experienced with a family of four boys. Brian and Jeni are enjoying their new home and have been called to work with the Cub Scouts in their ward. Jeni is able to do transcription at home and Brian is going to school and employed with State Farm Insurance.

Eric and Kathleen are our newlyweds. We were excited to welcome Kathleen to our family in September. Eric and Kathleen plan to move from Utah at the end of November, so Eric can continue his education in Texas. They plan to reside with Grandma Rawlins until they find an apartment here. At the present time, Eric is working for a construction company and Kathleen is a hair dresser.

Garrett is a junior at Hebron High School. It is hard to believe that our baby is 17 years old! He loves to play basketball and plays on the Junior
Varsity team. Games will begin in November and since our school has advanced to 5A, we will play a lot of local teams which will mean less travel. Garrett loves chatting on line with friends and is in 3 fantasy basketball leagues. If you want to know anything about any player or any team, Garrett is the one to ask.

Tony and I keep plenty busy working, being parents and grandparents. I work 1 or 2 days a week and serve in our ward Relief Society presidency. Tony serves as the Chairman of the Stake Public Affairs Council and works at Parkway Construction. I had some foot surgery and took 7 weeks of personal leave. I will return to work at the end of November. Tony was a great care-giver and I love and appreciate him for all that he did for me in my recovery and continues to do for our family.

We hope the seasons are bright and that the New Year holds a promise of hope for each of you. We love you and value the relationship and friendships we have with each one of you.

Best Wishes, from TEXAS!

Love Tori, Tony and Family