For Rebekah

Because, for some reason, you are a cheese-loving masochist, here it is. The text is beneath the layouts here because I could not get these to show up large enough to read.


















Greetings from the heart of Milton! The Reid-Simons family has another member this year. His name is Thomas and he’s quite cheeky. No, we haven’t had another child. But our boys have become addicted to the little blue train named Thomas and his multitude of other little train friends, all of whom our boys can identify instantly. They are also quite smitten with Jay Jay the Jet Plane. Basically, any mode of transportation with a face will make them squeal with delight.

In late February we had the modern suburban version of a barn-raising when family members converged with power tools and muscles to help erect a giant wooden play structure in the backyard. We were reminded of how truly fortunate we are to have such a great family living so near to us.

Spring brought sadness to our house. In May, our beloved cat Tribby suffered a massive stroke and died. He had been with Steph for 16 years and is greatly missed. Except on what used to be litter box cleaning days. Actually, given Chas’ allergies and asthma, it’s for the best that we don’t have any more kitties living with us, but he was a good and mighty hunter.

Also in May, Cheryl’s brother Dale took a bad fall in the parking lot of his new apartment. It was heartbreaking as he had just moved into an apartment by himself and was so thrilled at his newfound independence. (He has had memory and balance difficulties following a brain tumor and strokes several years ago.) For most of a month and a half that he was hospitalized we weren’t sure he would pull through, but he has. He is now in a rehabilitation center working hard on re-learning how to walk.

But on to happier news. The boys continue to amaze us with their ever-expanding vocabulary and abilities. In late May, we took them to Washington D.C. where we visited friends and saw the sites. They loved the dinosaur exhibits and of course the National Air and Space Museum, along with the National Zoo. They are really good little travelers already!

In October, despite her best efforts, Stephanie was given a promotion – she’s now an Assistant Managing Editor at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. She’s still enjoying her job and the people she works with.

Cheryl continues to stay home with the boys while doing a bit of freelance work between refereeing fights over trains or taking them on trips to the zoo, Seattle Museum of Flight or the Tacoma Children’s Museum.

We also joined the YMCA last January and we all enjoy family swim times. Moms even get to work out once in a while as the boys enjoy playing in Child Watch.

Eddie and Chas are brilliant, gorgeous and charming. They are not, however, potty-trained – but they’d better be by the next newsletter or we may have to revise the “brilliant” part of that.

We hope your 2005 was wonderful and that 2006 will be even better! Have a wonderful holiday season!



Steph, Cheryl, Eddie and Chas Reid-Simons