February 12, Emily and Nicholas -- Fun in the snow.



April 23, Snow White gets a quadruple hug -- first Disney World visit.



Birthday party #1.

Birthday party #2.

Birthday party #3 -- Fun with magic candles!




June 17, A trip to Hershey park.



July 5, Kwon-Ru-Fu-Chi-Do yellow belt test.



December, 2006  (Christmas Letter)

Greetings everyone,

We hope that this letter finds you in good health, good spirits, and ready to enjoy the holidays with your loved ones.  Another year has sped by and we would like to take this time to count our blessings ... oops, there goes one... and a second... and a third... and a fourth!  For us, each year seems to be busier than the last.

Christopher, Alyssa, Emily, and Nicholas are now a little over six-and-a-half years old.  Our one time preemies are developing very well in all aspects.   On the tooth front:  Christopher   (-6), Alyssa (-8), Emily (-4), and Nicholas (-6).  The tooth fairy is quickly being drained of all of her cash.

Everybody has come a long way since their Kindergarten days, which now seem so long ago.  They have worked very hard over the past year and we are proud of them for their many accomplishments and milestones. In first grade they are becoming better readers, writers, and spellers.  They also continue to attend Chinese school and are learning to speak and write the Chinese language.

In the spring we went on our very first family vacation to Disney World and Sea World. Although the weather was unseasonably hot, it was a fun and memorable experience for the entire family.  The kids enjoyed the plane ride, meeting their favorite characters, the rides, and the shows.  They even tried the Tower of Terror.  Their favorite activity was swimming in the hotel pool with arm floaties, of course.

This summer, Nicholas and Alyssa graduated from training wheels to their two wheel bikes, while Christopher and Emily still need to get over the fear factor.  They attended summer camp where they took part in soccer, gymnastics, basketball, swimming, arts and crafts, and lots of other activities.  The boys took to the water during swimming lessons like fish, but the girls have yet to conquer their fears (we'll try again next summer).

This fall they had a few other experiences.  Fall soccer was fun and they received their first trophies. The title of their first grade Thanksgiving play was "Bringing in the Harvest", where Christopher played a farmer, Alyssa an onion, and both Emily and Nicholas were potatoes.  They are currently practicing in the church Youth Christmas Choir.  They also continue to train in the martial arts. With a lot of perseverance, they progressed through white and yellow belt levels in karate.  Early in December, they each survived (with flying colors!) a grueling hour-and-a-half orange belt test which required much physical and mental endurance.

What a great year it has been! We are grateful for all of these experiences, and for being able to share them with you, our family and friends.  During this season of joy and hope, we would like to thank you for being there with us and for us through our journey.  Your love, prayers, and friendship are true blessings, and have enriched our lives year after year. We wish you a joyful Christmas season and a new year filled with hope and promise.

Love,

Christopher, Alyssa, Emily, Nicholas, Pam & Lee Deschler

Merry Christmas

sheng             dan           kuai          le

(Holy Birth)                   (Happy)