Christmas Letter

Dear Family and Friends,

It's hard to believe that just a year ago we spent the holidays in Northern Ireland with Sean's family and now it's another Christmas season. The year went by so quickly. In March, Sean completed his first full year at Cummins Power Systems. It's very challenging but has wonderful opportunities for him and he enjoys it tremendously. The job has a few perks for which we are thankful. One of them being a trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico in May. Ah, the good life! In July we spent about 5 days camping in the Poconos with Marci’s parents, cousins, aunts and uncles. It was so nice to get away and relax for a while. We made a huge decision this year to have a house built in Kissel Hill Commons in Lancaster. At the end of August, we packed up and moved in. We love the space and have enjoyed painting and decorating, making it our own. In October Marci celebrated her 10th year college reunion. It was great to be back on Messiah College's campus and see old friends. She’s now in her eighth year at Brecht Elementary in Manheim Township and still teaching second grade. She’s taken on some roles involving mentoring other teachers in technology projects. Both of us have been busy with our church, Lancaster County Bible Church. Sean has been playing electric guitar two weekends a month and Marci is part of the vocal ensemble for one of those weekends. Recently, Sean was asked to switch one of those weekends to our new Harrisburg satellite campus. It's been a great opportunity to serve. In November, the Steeles (including Mom and Dad) headed out to San Jose, California to visit Glen and Amy. We had our Thanksgiving dinner in their lovely home and enjoyed visiting local tourist spots. Finally, Marci is looking forward to traveling with her mom to see her sister in Phoenix. Lori, Michael and the boys moved there in May and have since gotten married and bought a new home. We miss them terribly, so we're heading out that way on December 26.

That's our year in a nutshell. These and more fun details can be found at our blog http://www.seanandmarci.blogspot.com. There are even pictures for those of you who need them. We wish you a wonderful Christmas and pray God's blessings for you all.

Love,
Sean and Marci

Ahhh . . .

Ahh, I sit here finally relaxed. I made it through a few crazy weeks of working (that means children going slightly crazy because Santa is soon coming), planning a little party, Christmas shopping, wrapping the gifts, typing a Christmas letter to be emailed because I just don't do cards, and taking care of Sean through nosebleeds, vomit and a sinus infection. But I've survived and now it's time for a little R and R. While Sean plays all 8 (yes, I did say 8!) Christmas Eve services, I plan to have some by-myself-time. I probably will throw in a little food shopping and laundry and packing for my trip to see my sister, brother-in-law and nephews in Phoenix. But other than that I plan to sit on my toosh and read a book, drink hot chocolate and be lazy. Ahhh . . . !

It's Christmas Tree Time of the Year

Because of the freezing cold rain, Sean and I deviated from what I had hoped would be a tradition of going out and cutting our own Christmas tree at a local tree farm. Instead we visited Stauffers and, again because of the bone chilling drizzle, very quickly chose our tree, had the guys wrap that netting stuff around it and load it into our car. This year we were able to get a taller one because we have the space for it. So with the tip of the tree dangling out of trunk and the trunk precariously tied down, we headed home with the heater blowing full force. Once we arrived home, Sean wasn't so interested in putting on the lights, so that became my job. However, he whole-heartedly hung the ornaments. Here is the finished product.

So, the Christmas spirit has inched its way into the Steele house. The decorating is complete. Maybe now we should consider some Christmas shopping!

Thankful

I am so thankful that we were able to go to San Jose for Thanksgiving. Glen and Amy opened Hotel Steele for the 6 Steele's and our friend Steve. Sean and I had a very smooth trip out to California on Wednesday and stayed until Monday morning, when we took a very early flight back home. The days included wandering around Los Gatos, eating a very yummy turkey, a visit to Trader Joes so I could get my favorite chocolate truffles, snacking and drinking tea, a day in San Francisco, a little wine tasting at several local wineries, the Body Worlds exhibit at the San Jose Tech Museum, and dinner at the Cheesecake Factory near Santana Row. Besides all of the tourist-y activities, we enjoyed family (and Steve) time back at house, while the men rocked at Guitar Hero. Amy and I made a valiant attempt, but were booed off by the cyber-fans on the game. As it always is, vacations must come to an end. Sadly, Sean and I made the trek back home with ease. It wasn't until we got our car and started the drive home from the Baltimore airport that we experienced any delays. We hit rush hour traffic on the beltway. Welcome back to reality!

Thanks, Glen and Amy, for a wonderful time.

Click here for some photos of our trip . . . Thanksgiving Vacation

Painting Again

After a little hiatus from the painting, we began again. Our brilliant white walls were causing us to feel as if we lived in an institution. Sean suggested we spend this weekend painting. Here we go again. I had Friday off of work, so I managed to do the entire lower level. That includes dining room, entry way, hallway and part of the stairs. On Saturday, Sean joined in and we completed the upstairs hallway. This was a bit treacherous since the one wall is two stories tall. I made Sean take care of that. It was his idea to paint and not hire someone. I have to say, he did a good job. We finished around 4:00 Saturday afternoon. The painting prompted a decorating binge so we went out and bought a rug for the entryway and Sean created a little "area" on our landing. Next on the agenda, the red study. I can't wait.


Some snapshots of Sean . . .

Planes, trains and cranes?

So this past week I had the opportunity to go on a little adventure. And since people are always asking me what I do for a living, this little story will help clear things up.

In a nutshell, I sell Cummins industrial diesel engines. Big ones, small ones, new ones, reconditioned ones, for everything from road paving equipment, agricultural machines, military equipment, power generators, cranes, forklifts, dump trucks, mining equipment, logging equipment, hydraulic pump equipment etc etc etc.

A few weeks ago, one of our customers asked me if it would be possible to re-power (in simple terms, replace the engine) in a container stacker. That machine looks like this:


The job of this equipment is to run around a rail yard, and unload containers off of trains, and onto and army of waiting trucks.

Cool, isn't it.

That's the neat part of what I get to do, one day I'm in a rail yard, the next day I'm in a factory. One day I found myself in the bottom of an open pit coal mine, standing in the bucket of a huge shovel.

Well, the only issue with this project is that the machine is located out in Columbus, Ohio - a 6 hour drive from home.

"That's no problem" our customer, Keith told me.
"We'll just fly out on my plane"
"Your plane?"
"Yes" he replied, "I have three of them, you know"

Next thing I know, Wednesday morning I am standing outside a hangar at Lancaster Airport, ready to board.

Here is his airplane:

Sweeeeeet.

So we flew, first class, all the way to Ohio in just under 2 hours. Flying in a small plane is much more fun. You really feel like you can reach out and touch the clouds.Mike (our resident engineer) came along for the trip, here we are sitting in the back seat.


The flight back was even better, we flew out in between these beautiful, huge, puffy, cumulus clouds. They were like giant castles in the sky.


Anyway, here are a few more pictures of the Crane. Mike and I had to climb up to the top of the thing to take a look at their electronic setup. This is the view from up above, where the driver sits - not for those afraid of heights!!!


Here is the engine compartment, this is what we are going to take out and replace with a shiny new Cummins.

Anyway, so there is a day in my job. Here is the shameless plug for our corporate website:

www.cummins.com

Big thanks to Keith for being a great guy, and a class act.

Sean.

A Little Jazz Anyone?

Last evening Sean and I joined our friends Brian and Aimee and headed to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Cyrus Chestnut, a jazz pianist, performed with two other men. One played an upright bass and the other, a small drum kit. Tables were spread out for people to sit and enjoy the music. We chose to sit on the grand staircase that lead to the second floor. So with wine and drinks in hand we sat back and listened to a fantastic performance. Later, when we were walking through the museum and taking in some exhibits, Mr. Chestnut walked by. If it wasn't for Sean stopping him to shake his hand and compliment his performance, the other three of us would never have noticed such a great performer walking by. Here's a clip I found of him on YouTube.

Lately

We're still here. Just haven't blogged in a while. We've been busy like everyone else. Both Sean and I have been working hard. I have a student teacher this year and that adds a different element to the mix. Sean has been working on a big deal at work. We haven't done much to the house. I believe we've hit a stand still. That's okay, considering Sean kept saying we were bleeding money right after we moved in. Hey, it needed to be beautified.

This past weekend we attended my 10th year college reunion. It's hard to believe that ten years have flown by. Sean allowed me to drag him along and meet a bunch of people who he would forget about within 5 minutes. He was a trooper! It was great fun seeing old friends and catching up. I think I only called one person by the wrong name. I did pretty well remembering who most of them were. Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures. Take my word for it, we all pretty much look the same as we did back then.

My Lawn Boy

A very important purchase was necessary when we moved into our new home. The lawnmower! We never had need of one in the past, but now we had our very own lawn. Sean made his decision within 2 weeks of living here and went out to visit Sears. He came home with a lovely, orange Husqvarna. I do believe mowing the lawn is now one of his favorite past times. Creating a manicured yard has become his passion. He puts on his grass-stained sneakers and a pair of old pants and off he goes. In between lawn mowing days, he brings out the sprinkler and waters the lawn. He researches ways to do away with the lawn rust fungus that has taken over the neighborhood. Then he implements his plan. After a few days, there he goes again. Time to mow the lawn. Now, I'm not complaining in the least. You see, I haven't even touched the precious Husqvarna. I sure do love my lawn boy!

Notice orange powder on Sean's pant leg . . . that's rust.

Priceless

Our new favorite TV commercial. Enjoy!