Kulzer Christmas 2005

So many things happened this year that I'm not sure where to begin...

Let's start with the most exciting event of 2005. Therese Lorraine Kulzer was born on March 3. (Click to view her website) Our littlest girl brought a whole new sense of chaos to the family. Those of you who have successfully raised more than 4 kids are Saints in my book. Not that Therese is pushing us over the edge or anything, it's just that when Therese was born we had 4 kids under the age of 6--and every one of them demands a certain amount of attention. How Karen managed to get anything done around here is beyond my comprehension.

I shouldn't complain so much, though. I'm writing this after a half hour of playing "Dinosaur Tickle" where I crawl after the kids like a dinosaur and tickle them "to pieces". It's a wonder how this old man can survive such a workout! We really do love those kids and as we look back over the years, we realize how precious they really are. (Last year's Christmas letter can be found here if you'd like to see how the kids have grown.)

A quick list of mundane highlights from the past year include the construction of our new patio. With the help of our parents, we constructed a retaining wall and poured a 18X18 slab behind our house. Now we can't wait to use it this summer!

With our new church building completed, activities need to be coordinated between a "split campus" of St. Philip's Education center, and the new church. Karen was kept busy facilitating elementary youth programs and working out the bugs of the new building arrangement. We're very thankful for Karen's colleagues at St. Philips who have all been working to make things move along smoothly.

I was fortunate to have many exciting opportunities fall into my lap this past year. In March I received a Target Grant to promote the ArtsConnectEd High school class. I got to help my good friend and colleague, Brad carve a brick mural for Fargo North High School where he teaches. Click here to see progress pictures. And my presentation about utilizing computer technology in the classroom was accepted for a second year in a row at the TIES education conference in Minneapolis. Makes me wonder what's in store this year.

Well, until we talk again, we hope your new year is filled with much love and enjoyment!

Gerry, Karen, Drew, Theo, Anissa, and Therese

P.S. Be sure to click on the kids' pictures to hear them say "Merry Christmas!"

You can download a printable PDF version of our Christmas Photo Card here.
(But the web version is much more fun!)