An Update

The first week of January our beloved cat Mookie died. He was just two years old, and it was quite a shock.

But here's our 2018 Christmas letter in case you didn't get to read it. (Our printer actually died before I could print them off. By the time we bought a new printer Mookie died and I didn't have the heart to update it so I didn't send out very many.) If you're interested in more book/author news, you can subscribe to my newsletter here. I try to send out a monthly update.

 Dear Friends and Family,

Somehow, annual updates are hard to write, but I enjoy looking back on the year and sharing with you our highlights. It’s the good stuff; I save the challenging parts of life (like tears and tantrums) for personal conversations.

Esther (age 7) is now in first grade. She’s creative and likes to draw and craft. She also writes stories. Esther still enjoys snuggles and cats. She loves all things cute and pretty like jewelry. But she kept up with her teammates playing baseball and football. Now she’s playing basketball again. Esther is also our resident weather reporter. She’s always checking the forecast and clouds.

We appreciate how Evan plays nicely with both of his sisters (though the three rarely play together). He’s in fourth grade now and really loves roller coasters. (Our first trip to Hershey this year helped!) He draws them on paper and designs models with pipe cleaners. He also loves his K’NEX roller coaster. His LEGOs still get plenty of use, too. This month he built a coin-operated candy vending machine and a working “video” game. Did I mention he’s just ten? Evan doesn’t love school, but he works hard and earns good grades. Evan played basketball, baseball, and flag football this year. Like his dad, he enjoys watching and playing most sports.

I’d like to turn back time and keep Meghan a little girl, but at twelve, she’s growing up fast. Meghan loves all things creative. She’s even begun earning a bit of money knitting dishcloths and weaving potholders though the orders sometimes take a bit of time to fulfill. This summer she made her own jewelry at camp. Through 4-H, Meghan completed an award-winning quilt and just finished her second quilt. She also played basketball and tried volleyball this fall. Meghan has always enjoyed school and earned distinguished honors during her first trimester of sixth grade.

Derek’s been with the Aberdeen Test Center working as a civilian software engineer for the Army for sixteen years. He coached baseball and football this year and then sat back and just watched the three kids play basketball last winter. Derek keeps up a regular exercise routine and completed another Tough Mudder in October.

I’ve devoted a lot of time this year to a book that will be published in 2020. (It will be my first published book that I pitched. The other five were all on assignment.) This book is a companion guide to Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House books. It’ll provide historical context to help readers to understand the books better in addition to about 70 book-related activities. This fall my dad and I took a spontaneous road trip to Malone, NY to see visit the Almanzo Wilder farm. Such memories! I’ve also been doing some author visits in schools. And keeping up with the family. Somehow, they expect to eat every night! I’m not sure how it takes me by surprise as often as it does.

Derek and I marked fifteen years of marriage in June. Of course, parenting adds a level of difficulty to marriage we never anticipated, but we’re grateful to God for the grace—and mercy—He gives us to get through each day. Derek and I celebrated with a December cruise to the Bahamas. We hadn’t relaxed that much in, oh, about twelve years.

 

Though our tree is decorated and a few gifts purchased, I don’t “feel” quite ready for Christmas. I wonder if Mary ever felt ready for the birth of Jesus. What I don’t wonder about is why Jesus came. The Bible says, “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” We pray you’ll have a blessed Christmas and 2019. Be in touch!

Love and blessings,

Derek, Annette, Meghan, Evan, and Esther

Christmas Eve

The children were all dressed up for our candlelight Christmas Eve service at church.

Somehow, they all have the same smile.

Merry Christmas 2017

Dear Friends and Family,

We gave Lucy a chance at the Christmas letter, but she declined. Our first kitty is 12 years old now and spends her days quietly sleeping. Mookie doesn’t torment her quite like he did when he was a kitten (last year), but he still tries to pick a fight occasionally. He is always up for stretching out on our chests. Mookie wasn’t interested in writing either. He was too busy with his afternoon nap. He needs his energy to nibble on us later today. So, the letter is up to me. (Sorry if you’re disappointed.)

We took a family trip to Washington, DC this year. The children wanted to plan our next visit before we were even unpacked. We also spent our annual week at Pinebrook Bible Conference for family camp in July. We visited family in northeastern PA a few times during the year and took a trip to Darien Lake theme park. We had a lot of fun-even if I forgot my bathing suit.

Derek’s been a civilian for the Army for fifteen years now. He still exercises regularly. He often finds a project around the house to complete when he’s not coaching the kids’ sports teams.

I continue to write part-time. This August two more of my books were released. Two more are set for a fall 2018. I really enjoy the challenge of researching and writing. I’ve also visited a few schools to share about writing and science with students. It’s fun to interact with the students and teach about things I enjoy.

Meghan (age 11) enjoys projects like crafts and cooking. Last year she got involved with the local 4-H sewing club. She sewed two projects during the year: a pretty pillowcase for herself and a blanket to donate. Each of those projects won a Grand Champion ribbon in the county competition! Now she’s working on a quilt. She played basketball last winter and is ready for another season this year. Meghan is quite the bookworm and loves our trips to the library. She is an excellent student, though early mornings aren’t her favorite. Who can blame her?

Evan (age 9) enjoys playing a variety of sports. This year he played machine-pitch baseball, flag football, and basketball. As much as he likes to roughhouse with his sisters and friends, he also plays quietly with LEGOs for hours on end. Evan’s an early riser and often spends those early hours of the morning reading some of his favorite books and magazines. Evan has been off his anti-seizure medication for a full year without any problems! Praise God!

Esther (age 6) began kindergarten this year! She enjoys school and has really blossomed as a reader. Esther played t-ball and flag football earlier this year and is ready for her first season of basketball. She’s a happy girl and loves to be around others. She also enjoys Barbies, Shopkins, and dollhouses.

The three children get along best when the television is on or when they’re wrestling—until someone gets hurt. Someday they’ll figure out how awesome they all are. In the meantime, we just try to make it through each day.

We hope you have a wonderful Christmas and blessed 2018.   

Love,        

Derek, Annette, Meghan, Evan, and Esther

Christmas Note from Mookie 2016

On behalf of the Whipple family, Christmas greetings! I’m taking over the 2016 letter. What good is a family pet if they don’t help? (Ahem. Lucy? Not so helpful.) And the whole family adores me. They can’t help it; I’m a fun, handsome young fella with a mustache.

I’ve been here since July doing pet-worthy things like playing fetch, licking faces at night, and biting hands and arms. Lucy’s fairly useless when it comes to pet skills like those. However, she is an excellent napper. Every day I try to play with her, but she just hisses and swats at me. It’s fun to torture her…until I get locked in the basement. The family cuddles me and plays with me. I don’t mind at all—not even when they carry me like a sack of potatoes.

When Derek arrives home about five each day, he greets everyone, even the pets. When I first arrived, his big project was creating organizers for the kids’ bedrooms. They look great, but I’m still waiting on ladders so I can climb. They say Derek also coached baseball and football this year. I have to trust them since they never took me to a game.

Many afternoons I rest at Annette’s feet while she writes. (Sometimes I pay attention. How else do you think I learned to use the computer?) She had two summer milestones: a fortieth birthday and her first book published. (It’s called Insects as Producers. She didn’t get to pick the title.) She’s under contract with the same publisher for two more children’s nonfiction books for the fall of 2017. She enjoys the opportunity to teach a bit at science camp and at school and library presentations. (Annette’s website is www.AnnetteWhipple.com if you’re interested in that kind of stuff.)

Back when I needed medicine, Meghan handled it like a pro…maybe even better than her parents. When she grows up, maybe she’ll take care of animals. She likes me to nap beside her while she reads on weekends. But she’s not always quiet. She makes a lot of noise with a flute. The more she practices, the better it sounds. Meghan played flag football in the fall and is eager for basketball this winter. She’s also getting crafty with the 4-H textile club once a month. She had no idea she’d have so much homework as a fourth grader. I wonder if she’ll survive with all the moaning I hear.

I like to watch Evan build with little bricks he calls LEGOs. (All the kids enjoy LEGOs and DUPLOs, but he’s the most passionate.) He has a big imagination for design but doesn’t really let me play with what he makes. He’s really into sports like baseball and flag football. Like Meghan, he will also play basketball this winter. I wonder if he can beat my relative, the cheetah, in a foot race. He’s pretty fast. Evan’s big news as a second grader is that he no longer takes anti-seizure medicine. The family prays he remains free from seizures.

At age five, Esther leaves me just three days a week for preschool. Esther plays with me extra when the other children aren’t around. She adores her brother, sister, and me. She also appreciates the days when it’s just her and her mom at home or when her dad runs errands with her. She is a funny and curious kid. Esther keeps up with her big brother and sister pretty well.

I had a good life on the farm, but this is the family for me. Imagine how fun it would be if the kids didn’t bicker so much! I’ve helped make these kids great pooper scoopers. Sometimes I fetch a slipper, stuffed animal, or pajamas from a bedroom. Maybe I show off a little by taking them downstairs, but I don’t want them to think they need a dog. I’m cat enough for this family! On behalf of the Whipple family, have a blessed Christmas and new year!

Meowy Christmas,

Mookie 

Christmas

We've had a wonderfully long break. Derek and the children have not had to work/school since the day before Christmas Eve.

 We had a lovely Christmas at home, though Evan had a low-grade fever. By bedtime, Esther also had it. Esther also woke up from her nap with intense leg pain.

The following day Evan still had a fever. We didn't leave for NE PA as planned. Esther still had leg pain, but was walking, even running. We could get her into the chiropractor sooner than the pediatrician, so we went that route thinking the hip was out of joint or something like that.

He adjusted her a bit and was not concerned. She left his office smiling and walking independently.

The following morning, Saturday, we left by 8:30 for Warren Center. The family was gathering at Grandma and Grandpa's for Christmas dinner. We arrived a bit late, but still enjoyed seeing the family.

Sunday we spent with my dad and Amy after dinner at GnG's. Monday after rest time we went to Amy's again and visited with Mom.

All during this time Esther would complain off and on about her knee. We decided to cut our visit short (by a day, though we arrived a day late) to return home on Tuesday to get Esther to the doctor. She didn't even complain on Tuesday of any pain though she did still walk like a little old lady a couple of times.

The doctor could tell there was a problem and though the limp was not obvious, could see it. She sent us for x-rays and blood work the following day (New Year's Eve). Esther didn't complain that day about pain...except regarding the blood work. The x-ray showed fluid on the knee.

Since then, she has dramatically improved. Today I explained to her that we had to return to the hospital to see the doctor tomorrow. She told me her knee doesn't even hurt her any more. However, the nurse I spoke to suggested keeping the appointment since her blood work was normal.

So we will.

The children made a high chair for the teddy bear. Then they turned it into a highchair-wheelchair. So clever!

It's Coming...

We're more than a week into December.  And we're feeling it.

We hosted Thanksgiving just a bit ago for Derek's family. This past weekend we had overnight company. In between, I baked ten pies to give to the teachers at school. Since I don't have a lot of energy to begin with, that means I was backed up on laundry for a long time. (Okay, I'm still backed up, but I'm no longer eight loads behind.) 

I think my Christmas shopping is just about finished. Derek and I had some time away on Friday...just the two of us. I've shopped in town and online. 

Our Christmas tree and decorations are up. We did that this weekend. Earlier we began the tradition of the advent mini books and the book a day. Each day the children also get a piece of yarn to represent the straw to place in the tiny manger to prepare it for Jesus.

Yet, I am not quite up to writing the Christmas letter yet. It's something I usually enjoy, so when I'm feeling eager for it, I'll do it. If not, it will wait for another time.

A Letter for You

Dear Family and Friends,

Merry Christmas!  We hope you are well.  We have not been so good at staying in touch; please forgive us!  We thought we would catch you up with a letter.  It’s difficult to capture a year in a Christmas letter when it is the small moments that often make it so special.

The summer was the busiest that our family has experienced.   In June we traveled to Corolla, North Carolina to spend a week with four generations of Derek’s family at the beach.  It was a wonderful experience with the family.  Great Grandpa rocked Esther to sleep a couple of times.  Evan had a blast with a pool noodle (AKA megaphone) while circling the pool…until he fell into the water.   (Don’t worry, the swimmies and noodle kept him afloat until Daddy saved him.  His hair even remained dry!)   Meghan enjoyed having easy access to swimming in the ocean and pool.  A few weeks later, we headed to Pinebrook in the Poconos for family camp.  The children enjoy late nights and lots of swimming, while Derek and I appreciate the fellowship with others from our church family and good teaching.  (I also enjoy a break from cooking and dishes!)  Before the summer was through, I took the children to northeastern PA to spend a week with our families.

School began for both Meghan and Evan at the end of August.  Meghan attends kindergarten at a charter school.  She really does enjoy it, though the early mornings are difficult for her.   Evan attends a small Christian preschool near our home three mornings a week.  I don’t think he realizes that school is for anything other than play yet.  He really enjoys it, and is learning, too.  I spend my days watching the clock, wondering if it is time to go to preschool or the bus stop. 

The beginning of 2012 seems so long ago!  At that point, Esther was still a difficult baby.  Her screaming was subsiding some to the point where I was able to have her out of my arms for at least a few minutes at a time each day.  Thankfully, she outgrew whatever pain she had and became a normal baby, though on the fast-track for mobility.   She rolled at 11 weeks, (and it was not a fluke).  By 7 months she was cruising along the furniture, and now does everything she can to keep up with her siblings.  By Christmas she will be 14 months.  Esther doesn’t talk a lot, but she does have a few words/word approximations and a handful of signs.   Though Esther is a good eater, she is not a good sleeper.    She rarely sleeps through the night, though in her defense she has had sinus infections and an ear infection, along with colds and several new teeth this fall.  As you might imagine, we’re a bit tired around here.  Our golden-haired little girl finds pleasure in silly games and songs and is often smiling and laughing.

At four, Evan loves dirt and big machines.  This year he learned to zip his coat and dress himself.  He makes jokes that actually make us laugh and definitely has a silly personality.   He has a great imagination that shows in his play.  In the spring, Evan’s neurologist weaned him from his anti-seizure medication.  Evan was seizure-free for three years (and a couple of days), but did have another seizure in early November.  He is back on medication, and we are trusting this will continue keep him seizure free. 

From the day she was born, Meghan’s hair was notable.  In May, she donated eight inches of her hair to make wigs for cancer patients.  Since then she has enjoyed being able to comb and care for her hair more independently.  Meghan has always been eager to learn and is an avid reader.  During the summer she read her first “real” chapter book, and is slowly making her way through the Little House (on the Prairie) series by Laura Ingalls Wilder.  (Meghan actually had a Little House sixth birthday party and was Laura for trick-or-treating this year!)  Right after she turned six, she lost her first and second tooth, both in the same day!

Derek is in his eleventh year working for the Army as a civilian computer scientist (programmer).  His work occasionally takes him out of town, but for the most part, we can be thankful for his predictable hours and the fact that he is home every night for dinner and time with the family.  Derek coached Meghan’s tee ball and football teams this year and played softball with our church for his own enjoyment.  He continues to make our home even nicer with all of his work around the house.  When he is able, he even lets the children help him with his work at home.

I attempt to keep the house and feed the family in between the bus stops, preschool, naps (rarely my own), and the messes of life.   Relaxing does not come as easily these days, but when I can I pick up a book or write about home and family at for my blog.    I am teaching again-but only occasionally at church which is quite satisfying..  Recently I realized the two oldest children make our home a bit like a Disney movie: without any given reason, they break into song!  If only we could harness that sweet energy for the daily squabbles and fights!

As the year began, we were working to just survive each day with a difficult baby.  With the passing of time, so much has changed (even if I’m still sleep-deprived).  Thankfully, we are past the survival mode, though with three young children, we still aim for simplicity and efficiency.  We know our routines and attempt to not deviate from them too much, for the sake of sanity.

We hope that you find joy in this Christmas season that provides us hope through God’s faithfulness!  If you are able, we’d love to hear what changes 2012 brought to you and your family. 

                                                                                                           

Love,

Derek and Annette

Meghan, Evan, and Esther

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

~ Luke 2:9-10

  

Christmas Moments

 Christmas Eve

 You can laugh at my pajamas, but respect the book!

 Derek and Esther before church on Christmas. 

 The kid table!

 Ready for battle.

 Donna was not at the kid table, but she did enjoy her new gift.

 Sweet smiles.

 The whole gang!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!!
From our (extended) family...

...to yours!

We had a very busy, very great family-filled Christmas lasting over a week!  It all began December 17th when we were in northeastern PA for the wedding of Derek's cousin.  We saw nearly all of our family then, but had Christmas with just my side of the family.  Of course I'm lacking in the pictures though.

We returned to our home in southeastern PA Tuesday.  The next few days were a whirlwind.  On Christmas Eve Derek's parents arrived in time to go to our Christmas Eve service at church.  Though Meghan was never able to practice with the group, she did sing that evening at church.  I'd love to post the video, but other children are in it (so I don't post on-line out of respect)...just know that it is cute!

Christmas morning was sweet.  Meghan exclaimed with every opened gift.  Evan basically didn't want to leave our new Geo Trax Christmas train even to open gifts.  It is so much bigger than our other Geo Trax train that it didn't even fit on the train table!  Above they are both shoveling with their new snow shovels.

Church was not until 10 o'clock (instead of the early service that we usually opt for at 8:30).  We were home before noon and Brandon (Derek's brother) and his family arrived shortly after.  After lunch Derek's grandparents and aunt arrived.  We enjoyed their company until they went to their hotel in the late evening.

Monday was the actual family Christmas.  Meghan was so excited to see cousins Chris, Adam, and Angela again.  (We went to NYC to visit them during the summer.)  She calls them grown-up kids...I'm not sure when they will be true grown ups to her since we always see them with their parents, too.   It was a busy, full day, but so much fun to see everyone.  The house was a bit too quiet after our children went to bed last night and no one was here.  (I really did very little of the cooking and food preparations.  The family brought lots with them!)

Today we are all enjoying a quiet day at home.  With Derek taking vacation this week, I hope to get past just surviving and maybe catch up on a few things.

By the way Esther is now 9 weeks old.  We've heard her laugh a few times, but it doesn't come easily.  She does smile a lot.  She still wants to be held all the time, but she doesn't cry so much now!

Family Christmas

Last Friday, just in time for the Penn State bowl game, Derek's brother, sister-in-law, son, mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, and aunt arrived.  All of them except Grandma and Grandpa (GnG as we affectionately refer to them) stayed with us.  Saturday, in time for a turkey dinner, Derek's aunt, uncle and three cousins arrived.  It was a houseful! I truly can't take the credit for feeding everyone. EVERYONE contributed to dinner and made it very easy for me. I put the turkey in the oven, but didn't do much else. They make it easy to host a big meal.  


We had three eating areas. Our kitchen table, a folding table in the living room, and our dining room table in the toy room. Yes, that's right. We didn't eat in the dining room. And actually, it is just a breakfast table that seats four that we keep in the dining room...not an actual dining room table. All 18 of us had enough to eat and a place to sit though. In this first picture you can see parts of all three tables.


































This last picture is of Meghan and all of her cracker loot...and several others' loot, too!  I had never heard of Christmas crackers until I celebrated with Derek's family.  When I was offered a cracker for the first time, I thought it was food.  Nope!

 These delightful Christmas crackers are a British tradition. Two people pull the ends of the cracker and "pop!" out comes a bright paper hat, a small gift, a balloon and a motto or joke. The gifts include puzzles, masks, tools, tiny treasures, jewels, tricks and novelty items. The more expensive crackers hold higher quality gifts. They're fun for kids and adults alike! Who doesn't love a good surprise? ~ From The English Tea Store


Have you ever had a Christmas cracker?  They are a good time!

Family Christmas

Great Grandpa and Grandma with Evan and Meghan
















Amy taught Meghan how to steal noses.
















Tetianna, Evan, Jadyn, Drevin, Amy, and Meghan. Yes, Evan is there!  (And yes, that is a lot of -n names.)
















Evan hanging out in the beautiful, old typewriter box. (We gave it to Amy. It was her favorite gift.)

Christmas Morning

Meghan certainly enjoyed digging in to her stocking.

Then she proceeded to open her gifts while sitting on the toy box with a full view of the rest of the family.

Evan had to be almost forced to open his gifts.  He just wanted to play with Mommy and Daddy's new water bottles.  Seriously.

For a man who doesn't like to wrap presents, I thought Derek did a fabulous job wrapping this!  I now have a canning pot so my water won't boil over when I can my applesauce.

We had a lovely morning with just the four of us.  Actually, the children even slept in until about 8 o'clock.  By mid-morning we determined that we needed to leave after lunch instead of after dinner to travel to northeastern PA due to freezing temperatures and rain.

Merry Christmas!

From our family to yours...Merry Christmas!  May you know how truly blessed you are this Christmas and always!

Love,
Derek, Annette, Meghan, and Evan















(Photo from Thanksgiving at my cousin Lynda's home.)
P.S. George Washington seems to be more popular than Columbus when it comes to Rudolf!  Columbus got a fair share of votes, too.  I (Annette) am the one who claims GW!

Help Us

Derek and I do not always agree.  As we teach our children things that are important (and not so important) to us, we have come to a problem.  We do not agree about who Rudulph goes down in history like.

You know the song...
You know Dasher and Dancer
And Prancer and Vixen,
Comet and Cupid
And Donner and Blitzen.
But do you recall
The most famous reindeer of all?


Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer
(reindeer)
Had a very shiny nose
(like a light bulb)
And if you ever saw it
(saw it)
You would even say it glows
(like a flash light)
All of the other reindeer
(reindeer)
Used to laugh and call him names
(like Pinochio)
They never let poor Rudolph
(Rudolph)
Play in any reindeer games
(like Monopoly)


Then one foggy Christmas Eve
Santa came to say
(Ho Ho Ho)
Rudolph with your nose so bright
Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?
Then all the reindeer loved him
(loved him)
And they shouted out with glee
(yippee)
"Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer
(reindeer)
You'll go down in history!"
(like ???????????????????)

Would you please tell us who you think Rudolph goes down in history as?  One of grew up singing Columbus, the other grew up singing George Washington.  Even if you have never left a comment before, it's simple.  Just click the word "comments" below.  Please!

(I fear that I am wrong...I usually am when I disagree with Derek.  And that all of NEB Class of 1994 were taught wrong.  How in the world does a song get changed, anyway? Who knows, maybe it's because he is nearly four years younger than me and grew up an hour from me.)

Thanks for your help!

Christmas Drive Through

We live pretty close to the Herr's Factory.  If you are not  familiar with Herr's they make snacks like potato chips and pretzels.  Friday night we took the driving tour.  (We have yet to go through their factory tour, even though it's free.)

Each Thanksgiving Eve they turn on their incredible Christmas light display.  It is on every evening until January 1, from my understanding.  It's lovely, and must take an incredible amount of work!  We've been told that they do leave some of the lights up year round.  These pictures are a tiny fraction of their display.

The pictures are a bit blurry, but I think you get the idea...so I posted them anyway.  They were taken in the car, and there was certainly some pressure for me to be quick, though cars were not usually behind us.