Happy Holidays from the Hsv Tholstrups - Dec 2008

Happy Holidays!

Is it just me or do I hear a collective sigh from everyone that this year’s finally coming to a close? WHEW!!! :)

As for our little family, we’re all doing pretty well…

Meaghan has turned 10 (or as she puts it, a “Pre-teen” now), and moving along in 4th Grade. She’s taking both Jazz and HipHop dance class this year and shows a lot of potential in dance and in school. We’re so proud of her!

But of course, the big news is that she got her ears pierced and now wants a pair of earrings to represent each of the holidays in the year. (So….what do you get for Labor Day? :)

Carson is 6 now and finally started “Big School” Kindergarten…at the same elementary school where Meaghan goes and he is doing well too. His preschool program last year really prepared him well and he’s already reading whole books on his own. He loves Dr. Seuss books and the whole “The Teacher from the Black Lagoon” series. (Those are a hoot, if you haven’t seen them yet.)

And he is still the little comedian and you never know what he will say or do next…
One Sunday, in Children’s Church, the pastor was talking about when Jesus told his disciples that they would be “Fishers of Men.” So he asked the kids, “If you use worms to catch fish, then what would you use to fish for men”?

Carson pondered this question briefly and then raised his hand and responded, “Sandwiches!” :)

And they both love playing on the computer. What did I expect? Their “Engineer” daddy spends a bit of time on the computer himself, when he’s not working on the house.

But, bless his heart, when Clarence is on the computer, he’s usually researching some new or better way to help him in all of the house projects. (He was so proud when he could submit our newly tiled bathtub to one of his online forums. You would have thought he was sending out “new baby” photos. :)

And I can’t believe I’ve been w/Durham Advertising for over 3 years! One of the coolest things I’ve gotten to do this year is teach several marketing workshops at some of our area business development centers. I really have enjoyed those…and have met some great people.

And of course, I’m still dancing (just like the Energizer Bunny…still going. :) This year, I’m teaching 3 hip-hop dance classes and having a blast. I even bought my own IPOD and have just about filled it up already. (I know…I’m so hip, she said sarcastically. :)

We spent a lovely relaxing week at Lake Keowee in South Carolina with Clarence’s family and enjoyed a nice (but too short) trip to Destin with my family. We are really looking forward to the Christmas holidays when we’ll get to meet Natalie and Amanda, our new twin nieces. Clarence’s brother, Bill and his wife, Julie, had the twins almost a year ago and we’ll finally get to see them in person over the holidays. (Meaghan and I are already fighting over holding the babies….luckily there are 2 of them! :)

And we have just about finished our master bathroom and deck projects…or more accurately, Clarence has, since he’s done 99% of the work. So, please try to come and visit us in 2009. (Really…please come…it’ll give us a good reason to clean the house. :))

Hope you are all doing well! Happy Holidays and blessings to you and your family in the New Year!

Love, Clarence, Melody, Meaghan, Carson and Molly!

P.S. Please email us anytime at melodygt@yahoo.com