We do this every year. I write the Christmas letter and get the pics ready, my wife fills out the cards, addresses the envelopes, and mails 'em out... to 40+ family and friends. This year people got quite a kick out of the Christmas letter, which I always call the Nurnberg Times. So I decided to post it here for all to read. I hope you enjoy it!

Hello all. Surely you noticed right off the bat this year's letter is a special collector’s edition. So when you're done reading it don't be ashamed to have it laminated and hung on your living room wall. After all, this is the only Nurnberg Times Collector’s Edition to date and it comes with a limited edition Edward Cullen action figure. (If you didn't get the action figure call Mattel Inc. and file a complaint.)

According to the Chinese Calendar 2009 is the year of the ox. For the Nurnberg Fam 2009 was the year of the dog.

Follow up:

No really. We got a service dog in-training for Braden. The dog's name is Lucy and she's an outstanding chocolate lab. She has a service vest and she goes everywhere with us. Her demeanor is so laid back and cool. She has no problem with shopping malls and being around people. But Lucy's first experience on an escalator (or the giant dog grinder as she sees it) terrified her. She didn't get ground up though, and she learned and grew from it. Lucy is becoming a great service animal for Braden. At this point he needs more training than the dog.

2009 was also the year of the house. This year we were able to buy a nice place with a nice large pond right behind us. The pond is so large that when we first saw the listing for our house it said the place had a lake behind it. But that's a stretch. It's a large pond though. It's so large that it actually has an island in the middle of it. With all the geese and ducks that make the pond their home we've named the island Goose Poop Island. Trust me, Braden and I have seen the island up close. It's an accurate name.

I'm into cowboy fashion lately it seems. Or as Anne calls it, my mid-life crisis come a little early. For the first time since I was a kid I have a pair of boots and a cowboy hat. And I've been talking about getting a belt buckle and a western coat next. No, I still can't ride a horse, rope a calf, or milk a cow. And that probably won't change anytime soon because I'm not really interested in getting my hands on a pair of udders. I talk the talk, but don't look for me to walk the walk. On occasion I giddy up though.

As you can see from the picture that accompanies this letter we all rode horses on the Oregon Coast this year. It was an incredible experience. We did it for Braden, but we all enjoyed it. The only issue was that Anne's horse, Modoc, got a little excited about something towards the end of the ride. That gave Anne a little scare. She definitely prefers riding a bike since they weigh hundreds of pounds less, don't have a mind of their own, and can't show a mouthful of teeth. As for this cowboy, I agree. But it's tough to ride a bicycle on the sand.

If you're interested in seeing some video footage of the Nurnberg Family we have a YouTube channel. Just power up your slow, virus-laden PC and head over to: www.YouTube.com/AutismEpicenter. Most of the videos are of Braden since he loves watching himself, but there's also footage of our Oregon trip.

Not coincidentally this year we switched from PC's to Mac's. It was the best idea I've had since I decided to end my singing career. I got tired of all the problems inherent with computers ran by Bill Gates and Microsoft. Anne now has a purple MacBook and I have a MacBook Pro. The change took a little getting used to but we're very happy we did it. Even Braden, who was accustomed to PC's had little problem adapting to the Mac. His spreadsheet programs and complex databases run better on the Mac.

Braden enjoys riding the bus to school. This is the first year he's got to do it. It's an experience to him. Waking up at 6:30 a.m. for school is an experience too. He also seems happier in school so far. First grade didn't make him very happy and I think the school district failed to provide him with the supports he needed. This year, in second grade and in the special day class, he has a lot more supports and the overall environment is just more suited to him. When school is fun kids learn more. And with the budget shortfalls faced by the state of California we just figured we'd put Braden where he's most likely to get support. Schools are hurting financially. I still believe that mainstreaming kids with special needs is the answer, but when the money's not there what can we do?

Speaking of schools, I'm now attending our school district's monthly board meetings. The meetings are boring and long, but in my current line of work I'm familiar with those kinds of meetings. I've long mastered how to stay awake and look deceptively interested. It's amazing the kind of useful information you can find on the internet. In this role I think I can have a positive impact for Braden and for other children with disabilities. When the next elections come up I'm probably going to run for a seat on the board... seriously. In my opinion they're one cowboy short. I look forward to having a vote on action items just so I can say, “Neeeeeeiiiiigh!” (like a horse.)

Well, the day of the Lord is near, and I don't mean Christmas. So read your Bible, pray to Him, and don't forsake our God. The meaning of Christmas, and of life in general, has been changed by man, so don't forget to celebrate the true meaning; To glorify our Lord Jesus Christ.

In His Loving Grip,
The Nurnberg Fam