Our Christmas Letter
2009 was a fabulous year for us! In February we went to Disneyland, found out we were moving to Anchorage, AK for our next duty station, and the best news was we found out we were pregnant! Justin spent March - June in Huntsville, AL attending a transition course for the Acquisition Corps. While there he made some wonderful new friends and put over 1600 miles on his road bike. Kara flew out to visit and together explored Nashville and Chattanooga, TN. In June we put our home up for sale (it sold in September-phew!). We spent the 4th of July weekend in Coeur d’Alene and celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary. Then we packed up our home and headed north. We boarded a ferry in Bellingham, WA and spent 3 days experiencing the Inland Passage. We disembarked in Haines, AK and drove 800 miles through the Yukon Territory and the Alaskan Tundra to reach Anchorage, AK. Driving the ALCAN was so much fun – the midnight sun was shiny and bright and the roads are like roller coasters due to frost heaves. We highly recommend that during your lifetime you take a trip on the Alaska Marine Highway System and/or the ALCAN. We settled into post housing and explored the sites of Anchorage. Justin works for the Corps of Engineers Alaska District as a contracting officer focusing on humanitarian assistance in SE Asia. Our biggest event happened Tuesday, October 6 at 2:01am. Our precious son joined our family. Burke Rhys De Armond came out screaming at 8lbs 7ozs and 21 ½ inches long. Burke’s likes include: eating, sleeping, cooing and smiling. His dislikes include: a stationary car seat and tummy time. Both Gramma Wanna and Grammie Becky came to meet Burke as well as Kara’s sister and niece. Our friends Colleen and Katie came up for a Thanksgiving visit. The last big event of 2009 was Justin’s promotion to Major on December 4th. So proud of Justin!! We look forward to spending a quiet Christmas and New Years here in Anchorage. We welcome all to come and visit us and Alaska while we’re here! We wish everyone the merriest of Christmases and a smashing New Year.
