Merry Christmas! Welcome to our Christmas blog!

Orr Family and friends on 4th of July after the fireworks show


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We thought a Christmas blog would be an easier way for our large family to send news and photos. We appreciate the cards and letters from you. We love hearing from you and learning what's happening in your lives.
We are enjoying a beautiful white Christmas season. We've been living in Wisconsin for 14 years now. We have come to appreciate more and more the beauty and peace of living in the country on our little "farm".
This year has been crazy busy! Since the end of last year we have had two daughters get married, two grandchildren born, musicals, plays, camping trips, company all summer and into autumn, and lots of celebrations and get- togethers.

Mary and Jacob hugging our Christmas tree

Mary and Jacob at their Ugly Christmas Sweater Party with their "gifts"

Aaron, Adam, and Jacob

One of MANY evenings around the bonfire.
Neinah said that her favorite things about living in the country are bonfires and being able to drive and park on the lawn. The boys added shooting guns, shooting off fireworks, riding dirt bikes and other dangerous activities to the list.

Anna, Neinah, Elizabeth, Mary, and Rachel [Sarah couldn't be there:( ]

Rachel, Anna, Neinah, Mary, Elizabeth, Samuel, Jacob, Adam, and Aaron

Macho Men! Samuel, Ryan, Adam, Aaron, Andy, and Matt

4th of July parade. Anna, Ella, Mary, Neinah, Ryan, and Jack

Aaron, Jacob, and Matt

Fun at Lake Michigan

Ella and Lucy


Precious grandchildren! Lucy, Jack, Ella
Matt, Neinah, and Anna

We celebrated 28 years of marriage this year. It's hard to believe that we have known each other for 34 years! Our favorite thing to do is to play with our grandchildren! We have 3 granddaughters and 4 grandsons with another granddaughter due in March 2010.

Matt turned the big 5-0 this year. We had a surprise party for him. His biggest surprise was that our friend of 32 years, Mark Whittaker, came for his birthday! As youthful as always, Matt still races around on his bike and wrestles and plays football with the boys.

I turn 50 this coming year! (Isn't 50 the new 40?) I only have two students left at the Orr Family School. It's nice to be able to give so much attention to Anna and Neinah. After a 28 year hiatus, I will return to the theater this coming summer to be assistant director for the Beaver Dam Community Theater's production of "Carousel". I am looking forward to working with the wonderful talent in our area, including my own children.

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Neinah

Neinah is 11, almost 12! She is such a sweet girl with a wonderful sense of humor. She loves to create art, sing, and has started learning to play the piano.

Neinah and her cat, Marley, sporting reindeer antlers.

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ANNA

Anna is 13, almost 14! She is my right-hand woman. Anna is also a sweet, sweet girl. She writes poetry and loves animals. Anna takes good care of our lab, Bunny and our two cats, Marley and Bailey.

Anna

Best friends, Anna and Neinah.

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JACOB

Jacob is almost 16. He is a sophomore. Jacob is always busy with singing, acting, and scouts. He is in choir and in the a capella jazz/swing choir. This year he was the star of the high school play, a pirate in Peter Pan, and Benny in "Guys and Dolls". He performed in a Broadway review, and was in another high school ensemble play this fall. He just got a lead part in the high school musical, "Crazy for You". Jacob is a great guy with a wonderful sense of humor, a desire to do the right thing, and a darling, happy personality!

Jacob can not wait to get his drivers license.

Jacob

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MARY

Mary will be 18 in February! She is a senior. She is a joy and a blessing. Her passion is art. She participated in an "Art Olympiad" this year and took home a number of awards, including a state 1st place in one section and a regional 1st place in another section. She is planning to attend Brigham Young University- Idaho after graduation. Her desire is to be an elementary teacher with training in special ed. That is a perfect goal for Mary, who is so loving and nurturing. Like Jacob, she too has a very healthy sense of humor. Sometimes I feel like I am living in a comic skit!

Mary Catherine

Beautiful!

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ELIZABETH

Elizabeth and Andy were married this year in a beautiful ceremony. Elizabeth taught a number of dance classes this year. She continues to write and perform her own music. She performed in an annual local concert, "BeaverStock" and in a Broadway review singing "All that Jazz" and other show tunes. She was incredible, as always. Andy is in the Army and is being deployed to Guantanamo Bay in January. :( They are blessed with a darling son, Jet. He has bright red hair and crystal blue eyes. Needless to say, he gets LOTS of attention.

Elizabeth and Andy on their happiest day.


Andy, Jet, and Elizabeth

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SAMUEL

Samuel just became engaged to Francesca. They are planning an April wedding. He works for a local credit union and is in charge of their community youth outreach program. Francesca has been accepted to a performing arts college in New York City, so they may be moving there this coming fall. Darn! We'll have to go visit them. :)

Samuel

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ADAM

Adam and Bethany live in Beaver Dam. Adam works for Matt. When the weather is warmer, you will find Adam fishing every day. They have a beautiful daughter, Kylie Jo, born in November. They both never imagined loving their baby as much as they do!

Adam and Kylie

Precious Kylie Jo

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AARON

Aaron, Jamie, and Lucy (2), live just 40 minutes away in Oshkosh where Aaron is attending the University of Wisconsin. He is majoring in computer science. He works for Matt as a programmer. Jamie just finished her degree in Psychology. Her plan is to get her masters degree in public health. Lucy is just darling. She talks and talks now. She delights us all.

Lucy Bella loves her baby dolls and is such a good mommy to them.

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SARAH

Sarah married Kreighton the end of last year. They moved to Ketchikan, Alaska where they lived until... now. They are in the process of moving to Nashville, Tennessee where Kreighton has taken a job as manager of the downtown branch of Wachovia Bank. It will be so wonderful to have them closer. Sarah is busy with her boys, Ethan (6) and Matthew (4). They will be blessed in March with a precious daughter, Lilly!
(OOPS! NEW ULTRASOUND SHOWS A BOY!!! LIAM RICHARD REED)
Sarah and Ethan

Ethan! He is such a bright, fun kid.

Matthew is so sweet and such a character!

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RACHEL

Rachel, Ryan, Ella (6), and Jackson (2) live in Gilbert, Arizona. Ryan is a real estate agent for Richmond American Homes. In her spare time (ha!), Rachel is a photographer. (Many of the portraits on this blog were taken by Rachel.) Her kids keep her hoppin', especially Jack!!

Ella Elizabeth is so sweet, such a little lady, and definitely headed for the theater!

Jack is a scamp! He works hard all day getting into things and "helping" Rachel. He is so much fun!

Rachel and family came to Wisconsin this summer. We had so much fun. This picture was taken in Swan Park, Beaver Dam. (In the background is Sarah's former house.) A special thanks to Rachel who helped me put this blog together.
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