Volume 3 of the dreaded form newsletter from us to you, December 1996. There is one big news item this year, and it grows and grows...

Yes, it's... THING! Our new arrival is due on February 19, 1997. We are taking votes on possible names for Thing once it becomes an ex-fetus, please visit Thing's web page and cast your vote!

As I write, our house stinks. We had it painted last weekend. Word of warning -- oil paints smell. We will start on the baby's room soon, probably right after we start thinking about giving Thing a name.

The garden produced another great crop, including our first corn crop. We are currently finishing off the last of the tomatoes and peppers.

The big gathering at the house this year was for Lori's father's 65th birthday. We managed 32 for dinner, and 7 overnight. Meleigha gave us a 4am lesson in what to expect next year!

We tried to visit as many of you as we could, it may be our last chance for a little while! Lori desperately misses the hot tub, is committed to jumping in as soon as possible after delivery. We also made it to another 7 Springsteen concerts (6 for Lori, who's sanity stepped in before considering the drive to Charlotte).

Matt continues to work at GM, and has learned a bit of java on the side. If you can think of any neat baby java applets to write, send suggestions! Lori is continuing her work finding loans for high risk applicants, and has had several gratifying success stories.

If Thing is a boy, we hope to see you all on his 8th day for the brit ceremony! Michigan can be nice in February, really! If it is a girl, we will have a naming ceremony at the earliest convenient date.

We hope to see all of you very soon, and hope that at least some of you will come to visit us! Have a happy and healthy new year!

Love,