Christmas 2009

Merry Christmas!

It’s that time of year again of Holiday car commercials, mint m&m’s, and cheap white elephant gifts! Time to untangle the bird’s nest of holiday lights, dig out the ornaments, and dust off that fake holiday pine! What a wonderful time of year! It has been a great year for the Hockman family of 5, and here are some of our highlights from this year!

Let’s start with our youngest who is now about 3 weeks old. Thanks to Dr. Haupt who came in to deliver me on his day off and our very own nurse Wendi Bennett, we happily welcomed a new baby girl into our family on November 27^th. Royal Novell Rose was 8lbs. 14oz. and came out forehead first. OUCH! It was a daunting 14 hour labor with over an hour of hard pushing. By far my hardest and most painful labor to date. But she was well worth it and is a wonderful and beautiful baby. Thank you to my dear Husband, Mom, and Amber Hill with helping me push and video taping her birth. (See her announcement on opposite side of Christmas picture).

Honey (3), started preschool this year at the Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian Preschool twice a week and she is very enthusiastic about going and learning there. She is still as active as ever and she reminds us very much of her Grandpa Bennett, with no shortage of life or energy. She is looking forward to graduating from nursery and going to the sunbeam class at the start of this New Year at church. She has a wonderful imagination, loves to sing and dance, play dress-up, and wrestle with her big brother.

Mason (6), is in the first grade and loves his teacher Mrs. Babcock. He is reading and writing at levels we never thought he’d reach so quickly and is excelling in math just like his Daddy. He played soccer for AYSO this year and scored at least one goal at almost every game. It was so nice to see him come out of his shell and become part of his team. He LOVED it. His newest passion would be his littlest sister. He loves to kiss, nuzzle, and hold Royal all the time. He is very helpful and tries to sooth her when she is crying or runs to grab the pacifier or diaper when she needs it. He is truly the ultimate Big Brother.

Janese, who was prego for most of the year, is getting use to being a stay at home mom of three and has her moments of Mommy melt-downs, and daily hair pullings. She is on a maternal leave of absence from her church calling as the Valiant Girls Sunday school teacher until further notice. Her daily routine, like every mother, includes taking and picking up kids from school and activities, changing newborn diapers, bathing 3 dirty kids, cleaning house, folding the mountain of laundry, cooking a simple dinner, feeding the dog, and most of all, Loving every minute of it. Sadly I admit that I have also gotten hooked on Facebook and you can find me online at least 4-5 times per day. Shhhh, don’t tell Larry, he thinks I’m cleaning.

Larry is still enjoying being employed with the California Highway Patrol and has recently been promoted as the office Public Information Officer. He has been featured on the local news to talk about driver safety during stormy weather, goes to local elementary schools for assembly’s, and informs the media of traffic collisions and disasters. He is also a certified child passenger safety seat technician and school bus officer. He has been pretty busy this year with setting up booths at fairs and festivals, and the annual Christmas fund raiser ‘Chips for Kids’. He is also busy just being a daddy and husband to his family. Unfortunately, Larry lost a fellow officer and friend in a tragic motorcycle accident a few months ago and attended his funeral at the Sunken Gardens in Santa Barbara. It has been a sad reality of his job that he has had to learn to deal with and overcome.

As a family this year we have enjoyed trips to Placerville, Tahoe, hiking down to Emerald Bay, L.A. with three fun days of Disneyland, week long camping and water fun at Lake Nacimiento, and a wedding in Oakland (Dave and Amber Hill).

May your Christmas traditions this year remind you of our beautiful Savior and birth of our dear Lord. Let us remember the true meaning of CHRISTmas and enjoy this season with health, and happiness all year long.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,

Love,

Larry, Janese, Mason, Honey, and Royal

Hockman