The year was 2005 and the Minniears were as busy as ever. Here is a bit of their story …

Lee’s group from Motorola had spun off as Freescale SemiConductor (summer 2004) and they continued to get more and more work as this year progressed. In the absence of the team manager, Lee is left tending the shop on occasion. He continues to work from home one day a week and now is on call 1 of every 7 weeks instead of 7/24. Gone are the days (mostly) of the two-hour lunch as he generally has more work than can be done each day.
For fun he was an assistant coach for Wesley’s T-Ball team.

Amy kept things interesting by making a job change at the end of the summer after enjoying Judy’s visit and a couple days at the spa (aaaahhh). Though being the assistant to the General Manager (and all the managers) at Honda only 2 miles from home was good, it lacked “purpose”. Now every day is filled with great purpose and plenty of work as admin staff at Ward Traditional Academy in the Tempe School District. Bonuses are being on the same school schedule as the kids (actually at the same school as Wesley) with benefits, same money for only 9 months work, and still commuting less than 2 miles!

Wesley, now 5, is having an extraordinary year. He’s expanded his horizons by going to theatre: Lion King, Sound of Music, and Seussical. We also signed him up as a model to be marketed locally which we hope will eventually get him some fun work. In August he started Kindergarten and WOW he’s on a roll! Our littlest boy has fast conquered reading and math and recently noted that in the future he would like to be a maaad scientist. He enjoys a weekly reading of Harry Potter with Mom and reading daily to and with anyone. We suspect he’ll continue to enjoy life with creative drawing and writing, reading (gotta’ love Dr. Seuss), watching cartoons (Scooby Doo’s the fave), playing on the computer, sports and music.

Jamie finished his first year at McClintock High School and is now a sophomore. He’s taken to skateboarding more and continues to shoot hoops regularly. Since acquiring his babysitter’s and CPR certificates his Wednesday afternoons have been spent volunteering with the kids in our church music program (JOY). He’s also just joined “Charger Chums” which is teaming regular ed kids with special ed kids for social time such as lunch. In the year to come he looks forward to the possibility of getting a driver’s permit and being done with braces.

Justin finished his third year at McClintock High School and is now a senior. He’s worked on and off throughout the year, mostly at Cold Stone Creamery. If he has your home # don’t be surprised if you get a call asking if you’re interested in an ADT alarm system sometime soon. His other phone and free time is mostly spent with his girlfriend Ashley. This spring he played a small role in the school dance concert (Ashley’s in dance company), and just recently he acquired a Driver’s Permit. Justin will be 18 before the year ends – WHEW – and should graduate in May!

We hope you’ve enjoyed this update and we wish you Health, Happiness, and Love ... a very merry Christmas!