Sup world. This is Michael Tucker. This is my "christmas" blog but the rest of my family have just written about their life so that's what I'm going to do. I'm on my school's JV soccer team and I'm having a great time. I usually play most of the game if not all of it. Our record is 2-2. Our first 2 games we were all getting used to each other and didn't do so great but when we got in the groove we pulled off a couple of wins. Practice is everyday after school and I have 3 practices over christmas break. If you did not know, I got into skateboarding over the summer with one of my neighbors. I've been so busy with soccer that I haven't done it in a while but I take it out sometimes and refresh all the tricks I used to do. Now for the christmas part of this blog. I've been looking at the presents that I have under the tree. I'm so excited because I think one of them is an itouch. My mom keeps saying that it's not because they are too expensive but it's from Santa and Santa does not have a price limit. This christmas, my grandpa and my aunt are coming down for the first time. This christmas is going to be awesome! Peace out!
Michael Tucker
Monday, December 21, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Megan's Christmas
2009 definitely threw some curveballs my way. I was certainly not pleased when I learned of the move to Tucson. I knew it would be hard moving in the middle of junior year. But surprisingly, things have been going well here.
I am now a senior at Ironwood Ridge High School. At school I am taking physics, english, government, and statistics. Then I also take a Certified Nursing Assistant Class after school Monday through Thursday, it's 8 hours a week and we are about to start clinicals. I'm hoping this course will help me decide if nursing is the right path for me.
I also work on the weekends at Einsteins Bagels. Then i plan on attending NAU in the fall, which I am extrememly excited for. I know that all of this might sound familiar if you have read Jake's blog. But Jake is actually the one copying me. I decided on NAU, then Jake noticed it looked nice. I got a job at Einsteins, then Jake put in an application. I move to Tucson, and then Jake realizes that he just can't live without me, so he moves down as well.
But all in all, I'm happy with where we are right now and all that my family is accomplishing.
I am now a senior at Ironwood Ridge High School. At school I am taking physics, english, government, and statistics. Then I also take a Certified Nursing Assistant Class after school Monday through Thursday, it's 8 hours a week and we are about to start clinicals. I'm hoping this course will help me decide if nursing is the right path for me.
I also work on the weekends at Einsteins Bagels. Then i plan on attending NAU in the fall, which I am extrememly excited for. I know that all of this might sound familiar if you have read Jake's blog. But Jake is actually the one copying me. I decided on NAU, then Jake noticed it looked nice. I got a job at Einsteins, then Jake put in an application. I move to Tucson, and then Jake realizes that he just can't live without me, so he moves down as well.
But all in all, I'm happy with where we are right now and all that my family is accomplishing.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Jake's Christmas
Well... 2009 has been a very busy year for me. When the news of the move to Tucson came around, I decided to stay around. As the rest of the family packed up the house to Tucson, I stayed in California. "Living on my own" (to an extent) was a great experience, which I think helped me grow up a little and realize what I really needed to do. And after some setbacks and a considerable amount of money lost I decided to make the move to our new home in Tucson. Upon arival in Tucson, the most important thing was getting back to work and saving up some money for college. After searching for a while, I ended up working at Big 5 Sporting Goods and Einstein's Bagels. With around 20 hours at Big 5 and about 25 at Einstein's and 2 classes at the community college, my fall semester has been a pretty hectic one. All of which, led me to deciding to attend NAU this next spring. I plan on being there through 2 and a half years and am majoring in Elementary Education and minoring in Music. I'm very excited for this next chapter of my life and look forward to growing up even more.
Jake
Jake
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Ken's Christmas
It's been an interesting year... changing jobs, changing cities we live in, seeing kids transition to the next step in their lives. Things began with a move to Tucson, AZ in February when I became the new Scout Executive for the Catalina Council, BSA. I had to find Tucson on the map to really know where we might be moving. I joke with friends that Tucson is the furthest east we've ever lived.... it's not very east and is considered the "wild west." We've seen some interesting things since we've been here including Tombstone, Kartchner Caverns, lots of cactus and some very beautiful sunsets. Transitions are always difficult but filled with good surprises too. Lots of neat people in Scouting have been very supportive and encouraging.
We've had lots of friends and family come and visit which we've really enjoyed. Good experiences including watching the OR-AZ game, visiting interesting places around the area and a trip to Vegas recently.
In the summer Jodi and I traveled up to Washington without the kids. A long road trip together brings good opportunities to talk about lots of things. It probably would have been easier to fly but it was fun traveling across the country together.
If you're itching to see cactus, creepy crawling things, the "wild west" and some fun folks (that's mostly Jodi but every now and then I surprise her) - then come visit us. We're always happy to have company!
We've had lots of friends and family come and visit which we've really enjoyed. Good experiences including watching the OR-AZ game, visiting interesting places around the area and a trip to Vegas recently.
In the summer Jodi and I traveled up to Washington without the kids. A long road trip together brings good opportunities to talk about lots of things. It probably would have been easier to fly but it was fun traveling across the country together.
If you're itching to see cactus, creepy crawling things, the "wild west" and some fun folks (that's mostly Jodi but every now and then I surprise her) - then come visit us. We're always happy to have company!
Jodi's Christmas
I'm dreaming of a white...no green...no brown...Christmas! Life in the desert is a far cry from living in the Evergreen State, but I think we'll all adjust. We moved to Tucson in February. I was never really at home in California, so I am hopeful that that the adjustment to Tucson will be smooth. I have informed Ken that we are nearing the end of my moving days. I am hopeful we will finally find a place to stay. I did some reflecting on my life and the number of moves. Fifteen houses (not including two dorms and an apartment in college), 10 cities (not including college town), 6 states. That is a lifetime of change. It explains a little about my desire to place roots somewhere.
After we left CA, I continued to work for the same company until May. I enjoyed the work, but they decided they really needed someone on site to do the job. I decided to take the summer to be with the kids, since the adjustment wasn't easy for them. Then started my job search in September. I will say, I've never had this much difficulty finding work. I guess my standards are a little different. I want a job that challenges me and pays more than 1/2 what I was making in CA. At some point I will settle, but I'm not there yet. I've been #2 choice on 3 ideal jobs. I'm not giving up.
I am making a few friends, but it is hard. We haven't found the "right" church yet and I don't have a job, so it's hard to meet new people. I'm confident that the connections will come with time. I have enjoyed visits from friends and family. We've had more visitors to AZ then we did living 20 miles from Disneyland (with free passes). A lot of our friends from Ken's office in CA have been to visit. Even with all of my complaining, we did make some good friends while in CA. We had a great time with them in Vegas just a few weeks ago. Having family within driving distance is also nice. Janet has been a gift, helping me unpack and sharing holidays. I'm so glad they are close. Looking forward to New Year's with Dad and Pam.
I guess besides the move, the hardest part of the year has been dealing with my eyes. This is the year that I finally have to accept that I do indeed have RP, and will be dealing with the consequences of that the rest of my life. First off, it is really, really dark in Tucson! My night driving days are coming to an end. If I do drive, I need someone in the car with me to make sure I don't miss something crucial. It has made me really miss my mom. I wish I had someone to talk to who actually understands the frustrations. I had to have cataract surgery this summer. (I guess early cataracts are common with RP patients). Once that was done a film or stain almost immediately formed, leaving me with cloudy vision. Laser surgery to correct that was done in November. Still blurry vision, macular edema (common in RP patients after cataract surgery, uncommon to everyone else). Drops, retina specialists, time and hope that I will eventually have clear vision again, though it's not guaranteed. Not good when center vision is blurry and peripheral is gone. Thinking I should have just lived with the cataracts, my vision was better before the surgery. Hindsight, it's much better than my regular sight.
Well, that is Jodi's year. But fear not, I have the least exciting life of all the Tuckers, so keep checking for their 2009 stories.
After we left CA, I continued to work for the same company until May. I enjoyed the work, but they decided they really needed someone on site to do the job. I decided to take the summer to be with the kids, since the adjustment wasn't easy for them. Then started my job search in September. I will say, I've never had this much difficulty finding work. I guess my standards are a little different. I want a job that challenges me and pays more than 1/2 what I was making in CA. At some point I will settle, but I'm not there yet. I've been #2 choice on 3 ideal jobs. I'm not giving up.
I am making a few friends, but it is hard. We haven't found the "right" church yet and I don't have a job, so it's hard to meet new people. I'm confident that the connections will come with time. I have enjoyed visits from friends and family. We've had more visitors to AZ then we did living 20 miles from Disneyland (with free passes). A lot of our friends from Ken's office in CA have been to visit. Even with all of my complaining, we did make some good friends while in CA. We had a great time with them in Vegas just a few weeks ago. Having family within driving distance is also nice. Janet has been a gift, helping me unpack and sharing holidays. I'm so glad they are close. Looking forward to New Year's with Dad and Pam.
I guess besides the move, the hardest part of the year has been dealing with my eyes. This is the year that I finally have to accept that I do indeed have RP, and will be dealing with the consequences of that the rest of my life. First off, it is really, really dark in Tucson! My night driving days are coming to an end. If I do drive, I need someone in the car with me to make sure I don't miss something crucial. It has made me really miss my mom. I wish I had someone to talk to who actually understands the frustrations. I had to have cataract surgery this summer. (I guess early cataracts are common with RP patients). Once that was done a film or stain almost immediately formed, leaving me with cloudy vision. Laser surgery to correct that was done in November. Still blurry vision, macular edema (common in RP patients after cataract surgery, uncommon to everyone else). Drops, retina specialists, time and hope that I will eventually have clear vision again, though it's not guaranteed. Not good when center vision is blurry and peripheral is gone. Thinking I should have just lived with the cataracts, my vision was better before the surgery. Hindsight, it's much better than my regular sight.
Well, that is Jodi's year. But fear not, I have the least exciting life of all the Tuckers, so keep checking for their 2009 stories.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Visiting Bloggers
I (Jodi) have been writing the annual Christmas letter for...well, let's just say a long time. I tell you all about what everyone in my family is doing, has done, will be doing. But this year is a little different. In the next few days, this blog will be visited by 5 different spirits, the spirits of Christmas Jodi, Christmas Ken, Christmas Jake, Christmas Megan and Christmas Michael. They will take you back through 2009 to the highlights of their lives, or as Dickens would say the "course" of their lives. We'll have to wait and see if these courses need adjusting.
"Men's courses will foreshadow certain ends... But if the courses be departed from, the ends will change."
"Men's courses will foreshadow certain ends... But if the courses be departed from, the ends will change."
Monday, December 7, 2009
What happens in Vegas....is AWESOME!
Ken and I took a much needed break from responsibility and spent a long weekend in Vegas with friends. We "vegased" with the same group of friends last year and had a blast so we decided to go for the second annual Vegas weekend. Definitely an annual event, won't matter where we live.
We left early Friday morning, arriving in Vegas around 8 AM. We love staying down on Fremont Street and the "old Vegas" experience. We walked around, gambled a little and met friends for a late lunch around 2:30. We spent most of Friday night at the Four Queens. There were about four of us at the blackjack table. We had a blast. Ended up getting 4 buy one get one dinners, so headed to dinner around 9. After dinner, some gambled some more, the rest of us headed to our favorite Irish Pub at the end of Fremont. Early to bed for us old folks (left the bar around 1:30 AM).
Up and to breakfast with a couple of people around 9 on Saturday. We decided to spend the day just bumming around Fremont. Spent some time playing blackjack and some at the craps table. Ken is Mr. Conservative and spends his $10 at the nickel poker machines watching football or listening to his IPod. Made the group decision to have a big fancy dinner on the strip. We went to Pampas Brazilian BBQ in Planet Hollywood. We got 1/2 price tickets for dinner, jumped in an empty shuttle around 5:30. This is an all you can eat place, buffet for sides and then they walk around with all different kinds of meat on a skewer. (Ken and Kris would love this place, he he). We ate sirloin, garlic covered filet, ham, turkey, chicken, lamb, sausage, and I probably forgot something. We left fully satisfied. Off to karaoke! Had a great time. Met some friends of friends, made new friends, embarrassed old friends, had a shot of something that tasted like kerosene, sang some songs, danced a little. Left for hotel around 2 AM.
Most of our group needed to leave pretty early Sunday so we met for breakfast around 9. While we were waiting at the restaurant on Saturday, my friend Bekah was being her usual friendly self and started talking with one of the ladies at the bar. (this lady totally reminded me of favorite Aunt Margie!) Turns out, she works organizing tours and promoting shows. She arranged free tickets for Sunday night to the Carrot Top comedy show for whoever wanted to stay. So, Ken and I, our "adoptive son" Derrick and another friend from the OC stayed Sunday for the show. Derrick and I had a blast playing blackjack and craps, and actually ended the day ahead. Had to decide whether to eat lunch or keep gambling, and the gambling won. When Ken stopped by the craps table to see how we were doing, I made him go get us something with some sugar so I wouldn't just pass out. Then to dinner and the Carrot Top show. We had great seats, he was hysterical. It was a great day!
Home today (Monday) but totally ready to go back. Can hardly wait until next year's annual trip. You should think about joining us. The more the merrier!
We left early Friday morning, arriving in Vegas around 8 AM. We love staying down on Fremont Street and the "old Vegas" experience. We walked around, gambled a little and met friends for a late lunch around 2:30. We spent most of Friday night at the Four Queens. There were about four of us at the blackjack table. We had a blast. Ended up getting 4 buy one get one dinners, so headed to dinner around 9. After dinner, some gambled some more, the rest of us headed to our favorite Irish Pub at the end of Fremont. Early to bed for us old folks (left the bar around 1:30 AM).
Up and to breakfast with a couple of people around 9 on Saturday. We decided to spend the day just bumming around Fremont. Spent some time playing blackjack and some at the craps table. Ken is Mr. Conservative and spends his $10 at the nickel poker machines watching football or listening to his IPod. Made the group decision to have a big fancy dinner on the strip. We went to Pampas Brazilian BBQ in Planet Hollywood. We got 1/2 price tickets for dinner, jumped in an empty shuttle around 5:30. This is an all you can eat place, buffet for sides and then they walk around with all different kinds of meat on a skewer. (Ken and Kris would love this place, he he). We ate sirloin, garlic covered filet, ham, turkey, chicken, lamb, sausage, and I probably forgot something. We left fully satisfied. Off to karaoke! Had a great time. Met some friends of friends, made new friends, embarrassed old friends, had a shot of something that tasted like kerosene, sang some songs, danced a little. Left for hotel around 2 AM.
Most of our group needed to leave pretty early Sunday so we met for breakfast around 9. While we were waiting at the restaurant on Saturday, my friend Bekah was being her usual friendly self and started talking with one of the ladies at the bar. (this lady totally reminded me of favorite Aunt Margie!) Turns out, she works organizing tours and promoting shows. She arranged free tickets for Sunday night to the Carrot Top comedy show for whoever wanted to stay. So, Ken and I, our "adoptive son" Derrick and another friend from the OC stayed Sunday for the show. Derrick and I had a blast playing blackjack and craps, and actually ended the day ahead. Had to decide whether to eat lunch or keep gambling, and the gambling won. When Ken stopped by the craps table to see how we were doing, I made him go get us something with some sugar so I wouldn't just pass out. Then to dinner and the Carrot Top show. We had great seats, he was hysterical. It was a great day!
Home today (Monday) but totally ready to go back. Can hardly wait until next year's annual trip. You should think about joining us. The more the merrier!
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