Santa: Ho, Ho, Ho! This week I had the pleasure of interviewing Katie Ackers, age 1. She was kind enough to meet me in her nursery. She candidly answered my questions about her family and activities from the past year. I started the interview by asking her…

What do you do to keep yourself busy?

Katie: I have a very short attention span, so I’m into a lot of different things. Right now I am very into chewing on reading books. You should see me turn pages! And, I love music. Just play me a song with a good beat and I’ll do some dancin’ for you. I’m told it’s pretty cute. My mommy takes me to a Kindermusik class once a week where we sing, dance, clap, and play instruments with other kids. It’s so much fun! Also, every two weeks, my family gets together with five other families who have kids my age. My parents say it’s a parent support group called “PEPS.” But, I think it’s just fun to play with the guys. Yes, I have lots of boyfriends.

Santa: Have you been on any trips this year?

Katie: I certainly have. We take lots of trips in my family. In January and February, we visited all of my grandparents, the great and the normal kinds, in Spokane, WA, and Clackamas, OR. It was my first time meeting my great-grandparents. I also got to meet lots of my extended family and good family friends. I went back to Spokane in April for my first Easter.

The most exciting trip of the year was in June, when I went with my parents to Hawaii. Daddy had to go there for work and Mommy and I went too. Mommy worked in the mornings from the hotel while I napped and then we went to the beach and pool every afternoon. What a fun vacation! I did great on my first plane ride, but was just a bit cranky on the way home. It was hot in there and I didn’t have any room. I think Daddy was feeling worse than I was. Still, not too shabby compared to what I hear about other kids my age.

Let’s see… I took a trip with my mommy, grandma, great-aunts, and great-grandma to Paul, ID, in July. My Great-Grandma Kate’s school reunion was there. I went to Redmond, OR, to celebrate Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Labor Day weekend. In August, I met my Uncle Matt, Aunt Jenna, and Cousin Braelyn in Spokane. It was fun to play with Braelyn and her toys! For Thanksgiving, I went back to my Grandma Jennifer’s in Clackamas, OR with my parents and Uncle Spencer.

Santa: Speaking of your parents, what have they been up to?

Katie: Boy are they busy people. In addition to working, Daddy has spent a lot of time over the last two years rebuilding our church’s website. It finally went live the first week of December. What a great job! Also, he and Mommy were hired to be the photographers at a summer wedding. The photos were really good and earned them another wedding shoot for 2010 and a senior photo portrait session.

Not only does Mommy sing weekly in our church’s choir, this year, she also started singing with a small ensemble made up of church members, called the ABCs. She’s also been learning how to play the guitar a little at a time. She is better when she makes time to practice. Inspired by Mommy’s singing, Daddy has rekindled his love for videography. He has been filming Mommy’s performances and enjoys editing the video and sound to make cool videos we can watch over and over. I really like to watch my mommy sing. It makes me clap!

Santa: How do you get along with the family cats?

Katie: Schnapps, the gray striped one, really likes me. He walks right by me and lets me grab his tail and fur. Sometimes he even lays down next to me so I can pounce on him. I’m always surprised when mommy makes me move away from him. It seems like he likes it. Whiskey, the black and white cat, doesn’t seem to like me so much. She only comes by when I can’t touch her, like when I am in my high chair.

Santa: Anything else worth mentioning about your first year?

Katie: Well, I got baptized with my daddy on October 18th--also my mommy’s birthday. What a fun day! My grandparents, Uncle Spencer, Great-Aunt Margie, and good family friend Sydney came to see it happen. I wasn’t a big fan of the water on my head, but understand that’s kind of the way it works.

I made my acting debut on December 11th. I was cast to play the Baby Jesus in the church Advent pageant. I know, I know… I’m not a boy. But, I was the only kid under the age of one in the church who’s mommy was in the pageant too. I wasn’t about to audition if my mommy couldn’t be right there with me. I was scared at first, but started to calm down when the other cast members started to sing.

Santa: What are your plans for 2010?

Katie: I think I am going to try this walking thing I see my friends doing. It seems like a better way to get around. In May, I am going to take my first real road trip with my parents, Uncle Spencer, and Grandma Jennifer. We are heading to California. My parents will go to a friend’s wedding and then we will explore the coast.

Santa: Well, our time is just about up. Any last thoughts for our readers?

Katie: Yes, my mommy, my daddy, and I would like to wish everyone out there Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. And, we hope you have a great 2010!