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From Kathy and Kanika:
How fast did this year go??? ZOOOOOM!
 Michael and I went to Yosemite for a wintery vacation in February, hiking up the nearly frozen waterfalls, snow shoeing, cross country skiing, and admiring the pristine beauty of the land. Then more COLD temperatures and skiing at Ice Lakes Lodge, and several trips to San Francisco for museums, picnics, and hikes.
 In March, Isaac and Jameillah flew from North Carolina to Oahu, Hawaii, to surprise Matthew, whose high school band class was competing in Hawaii during spring break. Carrie and Romeo also came along with Michael and me. It was beautifully WARM and . . . since I was not a chaperone, it was SO much fun! We went to Mendocino along the ocean for a week in August with Michael's family, then a few more days in Yosemite in October to visit Michael's daughter, Crystal.
And Kanika had lots of art opportunities: being the judge for the State Fair's high school sculpture competition and winning an Award of Excellence there, spearheading Elk Grove's first-ever Open Studio Tour, having two Featured Artist shows, and getting to meet with art lovers at several local art shows.
 But perhaps the most life- changing event will be experiencing the birth of Isaac and Jameillah's daughter, Jazmine. Carrie's daughter, Lauren, had her baby, Edrece, in October. First cousins for another generation!!!
Except for the premature loss of some exceptional women friends of mine, it has been a great year. I give thanks for my family, friends, and Spirit!
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Isaac's Christmas Newsletter 2008
Well, another year down. I realized today (thanksgiving) that I'm getting old. My body is starting to hurt more from physical activity, I'm needing more sleep at night and going to sleep earlier, I'm still married (3 years), my daughter will be here in about 2 weeks, I've reenlisted in the Marine Corps. Even my dog looks older!
This year has been a lot different. Last year was a big change, with me spending it in Iraq. I got used to deployed life, so spending this year back in the states has been yet another change. Not just for me but for Jameillah as well. Living with each other and getting "re-used" to each other's habits has been quite an adventure. But honestly, while the adventure has had it fair share of trials and tribulations, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Also, I transferred units as well this year and that's been another change. Getting to know and working with different people, different personalities, and different responsibilities. It's definitely been an adjustment, but for the most part, it's going pretty well.
Lastly, I've been planning for the newest addition to my family; my baby girl. I said earlier that my daughter will be here soon . . . hopefully before Christmas! I am so excited! I can't wait. I know  it'll be hard, but I'm looking forward to it. The chance to raise someone that I created is an amazing responsibility. Imagining what she might be like in a few years is a trip, and it makes me smile every time I think about it.
Hopefully next year will be as great as this one was, and go by just as fast.
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It's Matthew's Turn
 Hey everyone it's me, Matt. So I'm finally done with high school and now I'm going to Cosumnes River College pursuing my AA degree in Computer Science. Right now I plan to transfer to Sacramento State University right after CRC, but really, I can go to just about any college I want for a Computer Science degree.
I'm still in Taekwondo and I'm an Advanced Red Belt, right before Black Belt still. I'm slowly starting to get all of the things I need to do together so I can test for my Black Belt. Hopefully I'll have my blackbelt before my AA degree!
I chose not to enroll in any music classes right now in school because there's really no room in my schedule at all. I am taking Computer Programming Logic, Introductory Computers, English Composition, Physics, and Calculus II (18 units). Every once in a while I hop on my drumset and play because I don't want to just... stop playing. And literally ALL DAY I'm tapping my foot and/or hands, "air drumming" they call it, so I guess I can't stop, heh heh...
But that's enough about me, hope you all have a Merry Christmas!
-Matthew Anderson
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Jameillah's Thoughts
Wow I cannot believe that 2008 is coming to an end!!! I always heard that as you age time goes by much faster, but I didn't believe it!!!! LOL
 So 2008 was yet another year of change for me (I guess I can look forward to that every year now). As you all know, Isaac returned safely from Iraq early February. At first it was an adjustment having him home again (he was gone for 13 months), but I'm loving every moment of it and would much rather have him here rather then there any day!!!!
In March we took a family vacation to Hawaii. We had a wonderful time hanging out, watching Matt and his band play and getting to spend time with Kathy and Micheal. I just loved it there and didn't want to come back home (thinking that Hawaii will be our place of retirement )!!! I cannot wait to go back in the, hopefully, near future.
Shortly after we returned from Hawaii Isaac and I decided that it was time to try for baby #1. We "tried" for about a week and...Presto!!! We are expecting the arrival of our baby girl (Jazmine Lyn-Ann) on 12 Dec 2008.I cannot believe that I have been pregnant for nine plus months now. It's been an amazing roller coaster so far. I'm almost sad to have the "special connection" that I have with Jazzy come to an end, but trust me.... I'm ready! LOL. No seriously, I can't wait for the next phase and looking forward to holding her in my arms for the first time!
2008 in recap: Reunited with my husband, new living arrangement (well sorta), magical vacation to Hawaii, 9+ months of pregnancy... and that's about it.
Hope all is well with you and your family! Happy holidays!
~Jameillah
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We All Wish You Well in the Upcoming Year!
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Happy Holidays!
Love, the Andershalls
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