We hope this newsletter finds you well and in great health.  As you know the de Anda's family got a tad bigger this past August with the arrival of our second little angel, Jaiden. 

Jaiden is now 5 months old and seems to be growing faster than Jiselle did when she was her age.  She can roll from her back onto her tummy, and once again onto her back as well.  She sits up on her own, reaches for objects in front of her, and she experiments with her cute little voice all day long.  Great strides for a 5 month old!  She is a very happy and healthy baby, and she brings love and laughter to our family every day.

Jiselle has continued to grow up tremendously, and with the arrival of her baby sister we now think of her as a young little lady.  She is still taking gymnastics and she recently progressed onto the next level at her gym.  She very much enjoys her lessons and looks forward to them every week.  Jiselle also recently finished up a wood working course at school.  She made items such as a walkie-talkie, a phone, and a backscratcher.  A traveling woodshop came to her school once a week, where she learned all about the different wood working tools that they later used.  Turning 5 in March, she is rapidly learning to read, and will be starting kindergarten in August... can you believe it! 

Xavier began his new job at Convera in September of last year, where he is happy and learning a great deal.  This is a company that develops video editing software for broadcast companies such as ABC, ESPN, FOX, Disney and even NASA.  Xavier completed a couple of part-time classes towards an MBA degree at CSU San Marcos.  He continues to surf, climb, and train for triathlons, but he is always happiest at home with the family!

Heather has enjoyed her time at home with Jaiden and Jiselle since the beginning of last Summer.  She spent hours playing with the girls each day, learning new things, baking goodies, working on fun projects, and why not, doing a little shopping!  She will be going back to work at the end of January, so that she can resume her responsibilities as a Special Education teacher.  

Although we were shaken up by the tragedies of September 11, we treasure being here with each other, and we pray and look forward to better times and a year full of positive global news.  We feel extremely fortunate to have one another, and to be able to enjoy our time together as a family.  We hope for another year of love, growth, and good health.  We hope that 2002 brings you and your loved ones the same, and we ask that you please continue to stay in touch with our family.  

The de Anda’s