TheFosses.com

Welcome to the newly redesigned TheFosses.com!

Hope everyone out there is doing well. I also hope that you are not getting too tired of my constant updates to the Web site. I know, I know, it seems like just yesterday since I last updated (and by yesterday, I mean 2 years!), but I'm sure you'll get over it. Seriously, a TON has happened since the last update, and I'm sorry about the lack of attention that they have all deserved.

Let's see, we've had...

5 Weddings
A new baby for Mel and Jason (Katie!)
Trips to Florida, San Francisco, New York, Rhode Island, Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina, and Connecticut
A new Godson for Rita and me (Michael!)
The start of Kindergarten
Publication of a (soon-to-be) international bestseller
A new dog (Finally!), and
A boatload of visitors.

Unfortunately, there is no way that I can do justice to everything (and I'll probably tick somebody off for forgetting something) but I'll try and hit the highlights, and, of course, sprinkle some great pics throughout.

Weddings. Let's start with the weddings. On my side, we've seen my sister Mel marry some guy that she had only started dating some 10 months earlier. Fortunately, we like Jason a lot, so he can stick around. We also had my cousin Chris marry Tina out in San Francisco, and my cousin Laura get hitched with John Spiegelman. On Rita's side, her brother Mike married Roberta in a BIG Italian wedding. It seems like each wedding just gets bigger and more elaborate than the last. Makes me glad that Jessie has chosen to skip all that and just go into the convent....

We were also fortunate to get back to Bloomington to see our friends Kevin and Tania tie the knot. What a perfect spot for a wedding!

Baby Katie! and Michael! Remember that wedding that was only 10 months after the first date? Well, about a year after the wedding, along came Kathryn Lynn Taliaferro, or as Jessie likes to say (repeatedly) "Baby Katie!" Yep, Mel and Jason had a beautiful baby girl at the end of October and she is definitely a cutie. Of course, she's only a few months old, but she's already started talking. So far she's said: "Uncle Chris is my favorite." and "Go Hoosiers" and "Uncle Chris, can I get you a beer." Beautiful.

Our good friends Lee and Alison Colglazier also had a baby -- Michael Owen -- and he is fortunate enough to have us as Godparents. For some reason, he hasn't learned to kiss my ring and make people offers that they can't refuse, but we're working on it...

Trips & Visitors. In addition to the weddings, we've been able to squeeze in a couple of great trips these past couple years as well, including Connecticut to visit Mike, Yvonne, & family, the Outer Banks with Scott & Kelly and Matt & Eunice, down to Florida to visit Grammie (where Nate got to hold a live baby alligator!), camping with Mike and Roberta in Pennsylvania, the beach in New Jersey to visit Bill and Kathy, back to Indiana to see Bill and Q and his family, and of course out to Illinois to visit with Memere and Pepere.

We had a blast on all of the trips and can't wait to keep the suitcases packed for more in 2004.

Of course, if anyone is looking to hang out in DC for a little bit, you are more than welcome to stay with us. This past year, we were fortunate to have a lot of family and friends come and stay with us. Except for Scott (who tried to get my daughter to take her clothes off), everyone is welcome back anytime. We may make you go to our favorite spot (Hains Point) but we promise you'll have fun!

School. In every child's life, there are several rites of passage that he/she must go through in order to become a strong, well-rounded adult. On December 28, 2004, Nathan passed an important one. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, it was on that day that Nathan watched Raiders of the Lost Ark for the first time. It was so *sniff, sniff* beautiful. I was so proud!

Another, more minor hurdle was passed back in September when Nate started going to Kindergarten. While it won't have the same long-term impact as Raiders, it was a momentous occasion nonetheless. Granted, it started with him missing the bus on the first day (to school as well as on the way home!) but since then it's been nothing but roses. Nate's Kindergarten is in the Big School with kids up to 6th grade and he goes all day. ... and he loves it! (must get that from Rita).

Julie. As many of you may know, I have been thinking of getting a dog, and, since I wear the pants in the family, I told Rita what's what and we got a dog! (Ok, maybe it took my 8 years to convince her, but she finally caved!)

Jessie and I were out shopping one day and just happened to wander into PetsMart when a shelter was there trying to match dogs and families. Two hours later we had the car packed with our new Labrador and $9 million worth of dog crap. Rita, above everyone else, is soooooo happy.

Kid Update. Of course, we can't let you go without a general update on the kids and some cute stories!

Jessie - This little girl is now two (January 10) and is talking non-stop. Rita and I can get most of it, but every now and then we get Connor and Nate to translate for us. Jessie can hold a full conversation with both of them, and I follow every other word. I think they're plotting against me... Anyway, Jessie is also riding Connor's old bike now (see "Scooters" below) and also keeps trying to ride Julie around the house. She loves swimming and walking over to Grandma and Grandpa's ... by herself. The other big news for Jessica lately is that her relatives have taken the reigns for raising her as a girl. No more Hot Wheels and Rescue Hero action figures. Nope, Jessie got her first official baby dolls at Christmas and a bunch of other "girlie" stuff. This makes the boys happy since they don't have to fight her off as much any more, but Rita and I are at a complete loss on what to do with these toys.

Grinnin' girl
Daddy's girl!
Jess and Uncle David

Connor - Well, Conster Monster is still the trouble maker of the house (and very proud of it). As you can see by the pictures, he's very partial to his tongue and his sunglasses, and I keep expecting to come up and find him with a Harley and a couple of tattoos. Is there any way to make sure this kid skips the teenage years? Seriously, he's a great kid and loves the new Scooter that he got for Christmas. He and Nate go racing around the neighborhood, picking up on all the grade-school girls. Connor is also all about his cars and refuses to leave home without at least 2 in his pockets. Oh, and he loves playing the same sports as Nate, except he insists on changing every single rule to fit his own ideas. Where does he get this stuff?!?!?

Tongue - 'nuf said
Just gotta wear shades
...even in the pool

Nate - Aside from his Kindergarten adventures, Nathan is definitely growing up. I'm not sure who is more excited about the sports, but right now he's playing basketball, this spring is tee ball, and the fall is soccer. This past fall, yours truly was the soccer coach for Nate's team (the Red Horses -- don't ask). What fun! It was 3-on-3 soccer, but really more like 5-on-1 since they all want the ball and none of them can pass. Regardless, we all had a great time. Nate is also getting pretty smart and is becoming quite the reader. He and Rita and on book 5 of the Harry Potter series. Rita does the reading for those books, but Nate loves them. Oh yeah, and did I mention Raiders? So proud!

Dancing with Grammie
Geronimo!
Freddie Ado? Whatever.

Us. If you've made it this far through the Web page, I might as well let you know that Rita and I are doing great as well. Rita is still not working (you know, not "working," aside from raising 3 kids and a dog, keeping me in line, serving as VP of our community association, leading various PTA events, serving on the community transportation board, constantly working on new crafts and activities, and running marathons.) It's no surprise that between the two of us, she's the one with the Palm Pilot.