2008 Newsletter

The DC Gruwells (as they have glossed themselves because it has a lot more street cred than “the Gruwells that currently reside in Southern Maryland”) have had a busy year trying to make up for lost time from years of school ; residency. From Joshua Tree National Park to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, at least one Gruwell has spent time this year in each of the following states: AZ, CA, CO, DE, GA, MD, MI, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TX, UT, VA, WA, WV, and America’s Hat (Canada). We've learned the kids can endure just about any historical or natural site Scott & Tara want to visit as long as we stay in a hotel with a pool & a free breakfast. When we’re not on the road, we’re cramming in as much DC / East Coast as is mathematically possible. A few of the highlights include the Pentagon, the Capitol, the Library of Congress, Fort McHenry, Roanoke Island, Independence Hall, Jamestown, Niagara Falls, the Smithsonian’s National Kite Festival and spending Easter on the lawn of the White House! Being in the Air Force in DC certainly has its perks as well – this year Scott & Tara got their own personal tour of Air Force One.
Scott (34) is practicing periodontics, and staffing the 1-year General Dentistry residents, at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington DC, although he doesn't seem to make this year’s class cry as much as the last. Birds still seem to keep Scott on the go, and his favorite trip this past spring was to the Jack Pine forests of Michigan to locate a Kirtland’s Warbler. Additionally, Scott traveled to Seattle and Colorado Springs to watch the Cougars play football, and despite their showing against Utah, he still asked for a BYU sweatshirt for Christmas.
Tara (24?) continues on her relentless quest of playing “Extreme Home Makeover” with our quaint little Waldorf residence – even re-re-painting the family room to match the new rug she got for her birthday. She has also been involved in finishing our screened-in porch and remodeling the kitchen. She says she’s totally burnt out on home improvement projects, but she was unsuccessful in deleting HGTV from our cable box, and she is changing out the every single one of the light switches on the entire house as I type.
Riley (10) is growing like a weed, and even flew solo to visit her grandparents in Utah. She hassles her mom & dad 24/7 for a small fluffy dog (Scott says he has already given into buying a minivan, and insists that the purchase of a “wussy dog” is more than one adult male’s manhood should have to endure). It looks like James, her Betta Fish, just isn't as interactive as she had hoped – he still hasn't mastered a SINGLE trick! She still loves soccer, swimming, hanging out with her friends and writing stories. She and Tara also started a mother-daughter book club in January and it is a highlight each month. In addition to piano, Riley is playing the violin in her school orchestra, and percussion for the choir.
Spencer (8) has been busier than a mosquito in a nudist colony, and his biggest accomplishment was being baptized in September. In addition to that special day, Spencer took 5th place in the Maryland Swim Team All-Stars (breaststroke), and he recorded the fastest time of all of the seven-year olds among the 38 swim teams in our league. When he is not in the water (for religious or athletic reasons) he tries to keep himself out of trouble by participating in Cub Scouts, basketball, Soccer and playing the violin – he even faked his way through multiple songs this year at the Christmas program because he was only told to prepare Jingle Bells for the evening.
Eddie (4) started preschool this year, which absolutely he loves, but only if he gets homework like the big kids. Another thing we have discovered about Eddie . . . he is (like his dad) a “loud talker.” However, it’s not just the talking . . . he also loves to sing and finds nothing wrong with belting out a nice rendition of “I Like Bananas, Coconuts & Grapes” or “Follow the Prophet” regardless of the setting (in the car, in the shower, or in the toy isle at Target). His four-year old perspective on life keeps us laughing and he still loves quoting movies, TV, and commercials. (He requests “crisp, white, Apple Dippers” nearly every day because they come with “all-white meat chicken nuggets.” His two favorite activities are cuddling with his mom and playing Star Wars with his dad.
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good nite!