Greetings from the Moore family! This year we decided to let each family member tell about themselves and their family.
Bill and Charlotte:
Bill's position at Pfizer as an Associate Research Fellow, Biology Project Leader and Laboratory Head was affected by a restructuring of the research portfolio early in 2009. This is giving him some firsthand experience for his calling as stake employment specialist. He thoroughly enjoyed his career at Pfizer/Pharmacia/Searle/Monsanto, but is also excited to explore new opportunities to use his broad background and experience in biochemistry, enzymology and discovery research. While he has enjoyed being home more over the last several months, he is anxious to get back to work. Charlotte and Hannah have enjoyed having him home more but have become accustomed to their own routines and also have travel plans that are better served with Bill employed. Any leads or suggestions for positions in pharmaceutical or life science research are certainly welcomed! You can connect with him and check out his professional profile on LinkedIn.com under William M. Moore and contact him directly at wm.m.moore@gmail.com.
Charlotte continues to enjoy being a grandmother to our 8 grandchildren (soon to be 9) and homeschooling. There is only one student left in our homeschool. How did all those years go by so fast? She has also been teaching the girls (ages 16-18) at church this year.
Daniel, Meridith, and Family:
The other Moore's in St. Louis are doing well. Dan is still running the Claim Service Center for Fireman's Fund Insurance Co. Mer is busy with her business, WorDelicious, and finished the Lake St. Louis triathlon for the second year in a row. Lexy is having an exciting Jr. year - leading her summer softball team to an ASA Regional National title, and her High School team to the quarterfinals - earning Conference Player of the Year, All State - 2nd Team, and All Metro honors. Ben is enjoying 3rd grade, playing sports - tackle football and basketball, and Cub Scouts. Grace is enjoying Kindergarten. Ally is enjoying pre-school and can't wait for Kindergarten this fall. We are thankful for our many blessings and wish each of you all the best in this new year!
Sarah, Marc, and Family:
Sarah, Marc, and Joseph moved back to the Washington, D.C. area this year. Marc is employed by the Navy, but is actually working on a transportation project with the Federal Highway Administration. Sarah started a social work PhD program at The Catholic University of America. Joseph is an energetic and chatty three-year-old who loves trucks.
Joanna, Ryan, and Family:
Hey from the Hawkins! We are still in Texas and of course love it, but always wish we could spend more time with all the family! Ryan is enjoying another year with Acme Brick. He stays plenty busy with work and all the church assignments. Joanna just finished her second Marathon in October and stays busy with the kids at home. Ellie just turned 4 and is so fun. She has been taking tumbling and loves all things princess and pink. Carter is a busy 18 month old little boy! He loves to rough and tumble and loves any sport with a ball. Hope you all have a Merry Christmas!
David, Ayanna, and Family:
Ayanna and David had a big year. On November 14th, Shaia Jade Moore was born to their family. The primary focus of their year was experiencing their first pregnancy and preparing to become parents. Ayanna and David enrolled in Bradley classes and had a goal of attempting natural childbirth and they were successful in pulling it off. Shaia is a great blessing and has brought wonderful new changes to their family. They plan to "hibernate" all winter and spend time with her.
Ayanna is in her fourth year of teaching fourth grade in Liberty, Missouri. This will be her last year teaching as she plans to stay home and raise their new baby. David continues to direct the sales organization at his company, Affinity Biotech.
Jacob and Nanitzi:
Jacob and Nanitzi are still in Texas. After finishing a 12-story hotel in July, Jacob was fortunate to be offered a position with another Lend Lease company, Actus, working on the Privatization of Army Lodging (PAL) at Fort Sill, OK. While it requires him to be away from home during the week, he is grateful for employment in an industry that has seen so many lay-offs.
Nanitzi continues to work as a dietician for the WIC program in Fort Worth. When she’s not at work, she stays busy with volunteering at church, going to the gym and getting ready for the arrival of their first baby, a boy, in April!
Catherine and John:
Time has flown by this year for the Rains family. John has worked as a contract scientist for Millipore and Pfizer. He completed his EMT training in the spring and has been offered a job with Abbott EMS starting this month which he is really excited about. Catherine is continuing her graduate studies at Saint Louis University School of Public Health and working for the Prevention Research Center. They both teach and work with the young people (ages 12-18) at church and are having a fun time. To keep in touch with them throughout the year, visit www.rainsintheplains.blogspot.com.
Andrew:
Has been serving a mission for our church in the Canada Winnipeg Mission for the last two years. He returns home on January 22, 2010. He plans to attend Brigham Young University in the fall.
Hannah:
Is 16 and is enjoying her sophomore year. Hannah was in the play Beauty and the Beast this past June. She enjoys teaching and playing the piano, singing, hanging out with friends, and driving around with her new license! She looks forward to having Andrew home before he leaves for college.
We appreciate your friendship over the years, and look forward to hearing from you!
Hope you all had a wonderful and joyous holiday!
Best wishes!!
Bill and Charlotte
Fun story... While we were waiting for Andrew's bags, we were all taking pictures. A guy came up to Lexy, and then when he got close, he said ,"Oh man, never mind! Some of my friends told me they were taking pictures with Taylor Swift." So for the record, I am Taylor Swift's aunt! :)
Hannah, Bill, and Charlotte
Dan and Meridith, and Family
Sarah, Marc, and Family
Joanna, Ryan, and Family
David, Ayanna, and Family
Jacob and Nanitzi
Catherine and John
Elder Andrew Moore
Catherine and her husband, John, came over on the 20th and stayed with us through the holidays. It was fun having them with us. Making our gingerbread house. (12/21/09)
We also went to the St. Louis Zoo's Wild Lights with the grandkids. (12/22/09) 
We acted out the nativity scene the Sunday before Christmas with my brother Dan and his kids. (12/20/09)
Christmas Eve my sister, Joanna, and her family were in town. We did our traditional caroling as a family, and that night we acted out the nativity again with her two kids. (12/24/09)
Christmas Eve is my favorite part of Christmas. 
Christmas morning! We did get a little bit of snow while we were opening our gifts. I think it counts as a White Christmas. (12/25/09)
My sister, Sarah, also came with her family on Christmas day. Joseph and Grandma.
The Sunday after Christmas we got quite a bit of snow. Joanna was leaving Sunday morning, but they stayed long enough to have some fun in the snow. There was enough snow that they canceled church. We enjoyed a relaxing Sunday together as a family. (12/27/09)
New Years Eve was lots of fun. We had a late night dinner at Denny's. It was really fun! Lexy and Anna came with us. Afterwards we had a Moore family dance party in our basement and rang in the New Year! (12/31/09) 
Every one is gone now. We took down the tree and all the decorations. We had a great Christmas and New Year! I can't wait for it again next year!!! 
Merry Christmas!!
