Merry Christmas!!!!

Christmas 2009!

Seasons greetings to all our Family and Friends!

Well this year has been a pretty busy year; it’s difficult to filter through the year’s events…

I am still working at Inova Fairfax Hospital’s Trauma Center/Emergency Room as a health unit coordinator/administrative specialist (still otherwise known as a unit secretary)…and I’m still loving it!

Liam is doing fantastic and loving life up here more than ever. He finished up 4th grade at Pine Spring Elementary with outstanding SOL scores (VA’s version of the FCAT)…and an amazing field trip to Jamestown. This year for 5th grade, we have returned to home schooling and taking full advantage of all the educational resources at our finger tips.
Liam has also taken up soccer this year and is now a Weeblo II with the Cub Scouts. His soccer team went undefeated this Fall season and they’re hoping to repeat such success in the Spring. Liam is also working hard with his Cub Scout pack to achieve his Arrow of Light badge and complete the cross over to the Boy Scouts. He is definitely one busy determined kid!

In addition to soccer and scouts, Liam and I have discovered a new activity both of us can participate in and seem to have a natural talent for – the TRAPEZE! We have been going to the Trapeze School of New York (TSNY) – Washington, DC since September and have already progressed to a Level 2. Who knows, perhaps we’ll join the circus as the “Flying O’Briens!”

We definitely made sure to catch all the special events that we would normally only get to watch on the television. We were THERE for the Inauguration and were as close as one could get to see the departure ceremony of President Bush AND were right in the front for the parade when Obama came through! An amazing experience to say the least and little piece of history Liam will always be able to say he was there to witness. Another local treat we were able to be a part of was the PBS Memorial Day Concert. I remember watching this almost every year and wanting to go to it…and now, I hope Liam and I will make this part of our Memorial Day tradition.

Although our travels have been many, they have not varied. Liam and I have enjoyed several visits to Orlando this year to include a sort of “Last Hoo Rah” with our entire O’Brien family before Bridie left for Germany, St. Mary Magdalen’s annual Fall Festival, and a trip to Disney with one of my best friend’s Brandice and her family. We were also lucky enough to attend Jubilee Day with Uncle Ed (we missed Aunt Sheila) on one of our many trips to Mechanicsburg, PA! Oh, and lets not forget our wee trip to Baltimore, MD to watch the Super Bowl at the Sarjeant’s with Pat, Autumn and the boys!
We also enjoyed visits from Bridie during St. Patrick’s day, Liam’s ½ sister, Shelby and our friends the Bevans-Kerr’s in the Spring, Liam’s dad and step-mom during Mother’s day, our friend Rob during the summer, and we were most excited about having the opportunity to share the Fall leaves with Nani and Grand-dad.

AND the topper for 2009 is…we moved into a HOUSE!! So, bring on the visitors, we have PLENTY of space and we’d love to see you!!!

All in all, it’s been another amazing year up here in the DC/NoVA area. We’re definitely looking forward to what 2010 has in store for us!

We wish everyone a happy and safe holiday season and a happy and health 2010!

Love,



Katie, Liam, & Torbe (aka. TTT)

PS…when sledding, you must first clear a path in which to slide down, otherwise, you will just sink into the snow!!!