Christmas Letter

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Welcome to the Hoffman Times blog. We had a tough time picking out the photos we wanted to include on our Christmas card, and we also thought inviting more friends and family to enjoy our blog might keep you updated on what we’re doing since lately (ever since the kids were born) I have been a poor correspondent!

Chuck should really be the one writing this as he just finished his Writing II course at Metro State University with an “A” – darn good for a man who hasn’t been in college since 1985! He took two courses this fall and he earned A’s in both of them. I should have realized he would be an overachiever in college! He has registered to take 3 courses starting in January and working towards his Bachelor degree in Science for Management. He is still working at Norwood Promotions in Red Wing, which works out nicely with his college schedule.

Chuck’s oldest son Chris is 24 and continues to work full time at Epiphany church and school in Coon Rapids and refers to himself as their gravedigger! He is the stage manager at the Lyric Arts theatre in Anoka – www.lyricarts.com. He doesn’t make a lot of money doing that yet, but he is building his resume and enjoying himself! This August Chris moved in with his girlfriend, Allie Lenton, in St. Paul. Allie is a manager of a group home in uptown and has become part of our family over this past year. They graduated from Coon Rapids High School together and reconnected last year. We all enjoy the time they spend with us.

Mitchell turned 5 years old in May and started kindergarten this fall. He loves his school days and his teacher, Mrs. Townsend. Grandpa got to go on a field trip with Mitchell’s class this fall to the Children’s museum and both of them had lots of stories after that. His favorite place is still Grandma & Grandpa’s house. He has started inviting himself to stay overnight there, and they are happy to have him and Maria. We are lucky they have grandparents who want to take them so often!

Our little girl, Maria, celebrated her 3^rd birthday in April at Grandma & Grandpa’s house with her best friend, Mitchell. She likes to tease and Mitchell takes her so seriously that they often have little quarrels, but they are learning how to be friends. They sat for a while the other day and Mitchell helped Maria play Go Fish with him. She enjoys singing & baby dolls, princesses & dressing up, and coloring. She is always making sure we include everyone, especially Grandpa!

This is my third year as the school counselor at Cannon Falls High School. I enjoy working with the students and have some great friends – at work and in the community. I really enjoy being back in the community where I grew up and I am happy to have the opportunity for my kids to grow up here too!

We look forward to the holidays with family and friends and good things happening in 2010!

Chuck, Kirsten, Chris & Allie, Mitchell and Maria

Merry Christmas 2009

Christmas Past

Snow Day on December 9th!!!

Winter storm. We were out playing last night in the dark and again when we got up and we couldn't see our footprints from the night before! Snow day - no school for Mitchell and no work for me...it was nice to know I didn't have to go out driving in it! However, the only thing that brings the kids inside is the promise of Hot Chocolate! Chuck got to work and also has to head up to the cities for school tonight. I'm still working on the Christmas card and I think I only have today left to get them mailed in time to send out for Christmas - they may be late!
What a great Snow Day!

Fun Photos

2008















2006















The cowgirl and her brother playing along!















September 1, 1991
Dad's 50th Birthday
What a beautiful couple - and holy cow! Look at all of those candles!!!
















November 1972
We were all styling!

Halloween 2009

Mitchell wore his Thomas the Tank Engine costume again this year to his fall party at Kindergarten, and to his Halloween party at WeeCare. After WeeCare we had to run home to get the robot costume Mitchell and Chuck made last year which he didn't like after it was all done. We went to trick or treat downtown to the local businesses on Friday from 4-5 pm. What a great gig!

Maria dressed up in her new ballerina dress, and when we went out for the official Halloween trick or treating she put on the Elmo costume. We've had Elmo since Mitchell was 2 years old and this is the first time it has been worn! It sure kept Maria nice and warm - she was even sweating!

Chuck even dressed up for work on Friday for Halloween - most people didn't recognize him in his 70's outfit! We got a promo graduation gown at work and it fit just right to keep me warm to go along with the kiddos!

We visited the neighbors - the kids love visiting Mark&Lynn and Molly made special bags with homemade popcorn balls (no need to check for razor blades, whew!) and we stopped by Mr. Brad's house...he lets the kids take whatever they want to fill their bags! The snack pack of teddy grams was the first treat they chose to eat! Kaitlyn and Madison's Mom and Grandma helped Kaitlyn special deliver Trick or Treats. We stopped in town at a few houses and at Denee and Randy's the kids got their very own pumpkin bags filled with lots of things, including 3 juice pouches each--the second treat they broke into! Mitchell sucked down all 3 juice pouches right away (yes, he ran to the bathroom a few times that night)! We ended the evening at Grandma and Grandpa's house where the kids climbed into jammies and were ready to head home. Both fell asleep on the way home: Awesome!

Daylight saving time has made it much easier to get the kids moving in the mornings! Mitchell is very quick on the mornings he has kindergarten, but the mornings he goes to WeeCare with Maria he takes his time.

Now the kids are looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas!

Mitchell & Grandpa on the Field Trip

Grandpa chaperoned the Blue kindergarten class on their first field trip on Friday. The plan was to go to Afton Apple Orchard, but the weather was cold and snowy. The teachers had a little help, but they organized a different field trip in less than 30 minutes! Grandpa was in charge of Trenton, Matthew, and Mitchell for a field trip to the Children's Museum. Mitchell reported that his favorite part was the Gopher hole...he said Grandpa couldn't follow him in it because Grandpa's butt would get stuck in the gopher hole! Mitchell got to eat lunch with his old friend Kristopher who used to go to WeeCare Daycare with him. It was a big day for them...Mitchell took a 2 hour nap when he got home from school and still went to bed at the same time! We are preparing for Halloween and have a few back up costumes. Pictures will be posted in the near future!