Just in case you missed it...

One of my favorite parts of Christmas is writing the annual Christmas letter to our friends and family...

8 Great Kuhtz Headlines of 2008! 8. “I am a Champion!”- Abby (3) not only learned to swim this summer, she was declared the champion of Jan Thomas Swim School (everyone is). With chlorine pumping through her blood she has set her sights on swimming on the swim team like her big brother next summer! Nothing can stand in her way! 7. Call him Michael Phelps Jr.- Jack (6 ½ ) spent the summer perfecting his swim stroke. Amazingly the child who could barely float on his back in May was able to win first place in backstroke at the recreational swim team championship in July! The whole family was very excited to watch the real Michael Phelps compete in the Olympics in August. Jack has worked hard all fall to accrue quite a collection of swimming ribbons and has started talking about when he is in the Olympics. 6. Just Me and My Shadow- While the family is away, Rachel is BUSY!!! Rachel has been able to fill her free mornings with going to the gym, housework, and running errands by herself. Rachel says “it is amazing how much stuff you can get done in 3 hours with no kids!” Rachel also became involved in the Reagan Parent Teacher Club and Junior League of Fresno and has read a lot of great books. 5. Speed is his middle name- Jack “Speed” Kuhtz was able to narrowly win the Fresno Fireman’s Box Cart Race in June. Jack, a veteran driver of 3 years won the new “Speedster” division, in which drivers race against all the age groups. He currently has his sights set on building his first Pinewood Derby car for the big race in January. 4. Family Times are the Best of Times- The Kuhtzs were able to connect with a lot of family in 2008. In March, the family along with the Foxes and Callahans met the Keith-Zamora family from Colorado in Anaheim for a fun few days at the Happiest Place on Earth. In June, Cousin Kelly Oswald and her boyfriend Carl from Wisconsin came to visit. That gave the family a chance to see some California relatives that they don’t see too often in an unofficial Kuhtz Family Reunion. The family travelled to Wisconsin for the official Kuhtz family reunion with Grandma and PaPa Kuhtz, in August. They had a terrific time visiting with family, attending the Wisconsin State Fair, and making the pilgrimage to the infamous Kuhtz Tap. The family looks forward to spending the holidays at home with family, especially their new cousin, Blake Charles Kuhtz. 3. Wheels on the Bus- Fall brought lots of changes to the Kuhtz household. Jack started first grade at Reagan Elementary School as a bus rider. Abby began attending preschool three days a week at Fresno Montessori School. If school wasn’t enough each child joined various activities- karate, dance, swimming, and Cub Scouts to name a few. Rachel and Steve manage to keep it all straight and everyone seems to be where they need to be when they are supposed to be there (and it isn’t easy)!!! 2. Lemons Team makes Lemonade!- Steve spent most of the beginning of 2008 getting ready for the 24 Hours of Lemons race. He and his race team put in a lot of work and “not much money” into a $500 Acura Integra. Mother’s Day weekend he and his buddies were successful in their endeavor and won the race out of more than 90 cars. 1. Kuhtzs make a BIG Splash!!!- 2008 began with the completion of the great pool project of 2007! By March nothing could keep Jack and Abby out of the water, no matter how cold the water was. The entire family worked on landscaping, building retaining walls, and yard clean up. Steve said “my goal was to have the pool ready for Jack’s birthday in April and I was able to achieve that goal.” The summer was filled with backyard barbeques and pool parties for friends and family. Rachel said “This was one of the best summers of our lives; everyone had so much fun with the addition of the pool. I love it!” Abby welcomes any one to drop in to use the new fire pit. “My Mom always has the supplies to roast marshmallows and my Dad is the best roaster!” The entire family fell in love with Jimmy Buffett and Radio Margaritaville which turned in to the soundtrack of their life this summer. To celebrate the end of summer, everyone attended Jimmy Buffett’s “The Year of Still Here” Concert at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in October. “It is like Christmas in October! We have been waiting for this day all year!” exclaimed Jack.