Christmas and Chanukah is upon us.

My wonderful wife usually writes these Blog updates, but I have been given the task of reviewing our 2009. Every year we write a Christmas letter and it always seems like the next year can't get better, but somehow it does! This year was no exception with lots of amazing highlights. So in no particular order...

• On April 4, 2009 weighing 8 lbs and measuring 20 1/2 inches long, Maia Lee Sternfeld-Dunn was born! A friend said that before kids, you exist as a couple, but after kids, you are then a family. How true that is. Maia is now 8 months old- learning lots, growing strong, and putting on quite a show. For more about her check out earlier entries in this blog.
• After a year at teaching WSU, Aleks was offered 2 other jobs. One was for a visiting Assistant Professor at Central Connecticut College, CT and the other was for a tenure track position at Casper College, WY. After much discussion between Emily and Aleks, as well as the current department chair, Aleks returned to WSU for another year. He now has a new title: Clinical Assistant Professor. Fancy isn't it? Overall, Aleks is enjoying his teaching job, has great students, and gets to teach really interesting classes.
• This year Emily began teaching at WSU as well. She teaches applied voice as an adjunct member of the WSU Faculty.
• Emily has continued to grow her private studio as well. She has a full studio with 14 students, both studying piano and voice.
• After about four years Aleks has finished his dissertation and successfully defended it! He is now officially a doctor... but not the kind that helps people.
• It has been a good performance year for Emily. She recently gave a WSU Faculty Recital consisting of music for voice and non-keyboard instruments. She is also a finalist in the Coeur d'Alene Young Artist Competition and will compete in the beginning of January.
• Aleks had a busy year of composing. Along with completing his dissertation, he finished a a piece for English Horn and Cello that was commissioned by oboist Keri McCarthy. Aleks also has three more commissions that he is working on. In addition, Aleks received a grant from Meet the Composer, had a new band piece published by FJH publishing, had his recording of Joker's Wild released by the Kiev Philharmonic, and had his Sonata for Alto Saxophone selected for a CD release on Capstone.
• Aleks and Emily are no longer home owners. While this is sad news for some, it is great news for them. After sitting on the market for longer than they wanted, their Connecticut cape-cod sold, and they are now waiting patiently for a little geographical stability before they buy again.
• Emily has developed a great group of friends who are also new moms to children Maia's age. They meet about twice a month to visit and have the babies interact. Emily is so grateful for these friends and loves seeing Maia play with her friends.
• Aleks has a new passion: cooking authentic Mexican food. He started his new hobby with mole sauce and has continued with pork verde, tacos, enchilladas, salsas... the list goes on and on. Aleks and Emily are continuously trying to find new cabinet/counter space for all the dried chilies Aleks is buying. They are eating really well though!

We feel truly blessed for so many things in our lives right now. We hope that you have a wonderful holiday season and very happy New Year!

Love,

Aleks, Emily, and Maia