Happy Holidays From Us To You!!!

Merry Christmas From The Trospers!

Merry Christmas from us to you this Joyous Season! We hope that 2011 has been as wonderful for you as it has been for us. This of course does not mean we were without our trials. In fact, 2011 has had it's fair share of ups and downs, but these days, our time is better spent counting each blessing, great and small. We live in troubling times. The economy is strained and many of us have lost employment or experienced a reduction in pay. It becomes very easy and even natural to focus on our woes and complain. A wise man once told me, "remember, there are always worse things happening to better people". Now, more than ever, it is important to reflect on what matters most and to then reflect in gratitude for those blessings we have. Now, more than ever, it is important to reach out to those around us and extend a helping hand, offer a shoulder to cry on and speak a kind word.

Tis' the Season to reflect on the greatest of all gifts given to each of us. The greatest gift in times of prosperity or poverty. The greatest gift in wealth or in destitution. The greatest gift of all, period. Every year at this time, we are caused to reflect on the birth of our Savior, whose life was lived perfectly and then sacrificed for each of us so that we may return to live with him again. No greater gift has ever been known by man. He suffered for each of us, was crucified and then defeated death. This is a gift that we ALWAYS have and, regardless of our circumstance, can be a source of comfort and peace. He is aware of our sufferings and trials. What a great gift this is. It is my hope that each of you make it a point to count your blessings and remember God's love for you this season and that you find a way to show your love for Him by serving your fellowman in some small and simple way.

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!

Blessed Christmas. Blessed Work.

I have never been quiet regarding how blessed I am to work where I work. There are many reasons why I enjoy my workplace, one reason being those that work for me and those I work with. I am blessed to have amazing individuals surrounding me. I manage two teams and each member of those teams have been hand selected by me to work for me and I could not be more proud and happy work with them. Our company typically has a big fancy Christmas party at the end of the year, but as this year has been a more difficult year for us, we have decided to nix the festivities and expense. This did not stop my two teams from getting together to celebrate the season and our friendships. A good time was had by all! In fact, the feedback I am hearing is that the more intimate format of this smaller party was better received than the fancier version we typically have company wide. We did many fun and festive things....

We did a crazy fun gift exchange!

Some of the gifts were funny or crude...

Some were edible! You can never go wrong with the gift of bacon!

Some gifts were more practical.

Some gifts were more of a hint. HEY! I shower!

Jennie put together a very fun format and we mixed in a few weekend trips as well.

Some were surprised. Some were disappointed. Some were excited.

We also gave out awards!

The more serious awards were voted on by peers. Jennie was awarded one of the more serious awards, Top Saves Rep. There were three that each received high votes for this award. Jennie, Greg and Jason, but Jennie was the clear winner for the 2nd year in a row. The saves team has worked through many changes this year and have done so with relatively great attitudes and strong work ethics. I am grateful to have them on my team and to call them friends. Thanks Greg, Thayne, Jason, Jennie and Shannon.

Paloma won the Top Customer Service Rep. This was the tightest race yet. The difference between 1st place and 3rd place was two votes. While one vote separated Paloma from Marisol and Marisol from Shanna, Paloma had the highest. I love my CS reps. Truly a great team of great people. Thanks, Leslie, Shanna, Paloma, Marisol, Lacey, Kamie and Andrea!

We also handed out some funny awards...kind of along the line of "the Dundies". Here is Shannon showing off his "Naked Garage Sitter" award. I will let him explain.

Here is Jennie receiving her "Santa's Stalker" award. Jennie prefers to celebrate the holiday all year long!

We Played Games!

Paloma was the over-all winner of the games. Greg and his wife, Sarah, did a great job putting together a "Minute to Win it" activity.

Master of Ceremonies, Greg!

Three of the last four competitors. We started with 16 and as we were eliminated, ended up with three finalists.

The first qualifying finalist, Gabby!

Paloma getting light headed.

Garrett was so close so many times. The key was to blow the card to hang over the edge.

Julie exhausted after almost getting it done.

And then there were four.

Pooh and Cyndi were eliminated early on. They enjoyed the games more as spectators.

Paloma trying to get the cotton ball to stick to her nose.

I was no good at this event.

Cindy showing her stuff.

Shanna with her game face on.

Boy...I am so tempted to blow this picture up and hang it in the office. It would be a good caption contest photo.

Kamie playing "Cookie Face"

Paloma trying to move the cookie from her forehead to her mouth using only gravity and her face muscles.

Marisol giving it her best shot.

We also did a Secret Santa Gift Exchange!

Jason was pleased with his Skull Candy from Greg.
I can't remember what Paloma got or from whom she received her gift.
Greg received a knife and Leatherman tool.
I totally messed up. Apparently I had Shanna, but for some reason I thought I had Shannon. This means Shannon received two gifts and Shanna none. This explains the pouty lip she has going on.
Julie was excited to get her gift.
As was Thayne.
I was totally stoked to get a Barbecue recipe book, Hawaiian BBQ Sauce and a beer can chicken tool from Marisol. Thanks, MARS!
Apparently Marisol was excited about her gift!
Shannon was confused. He thought he had been bad and that he was not getting a gift from Santa.
Lacey also was excited.

We Ate and Ate and Ate!

There was a good spread.

We always do the food the right way. Savory and Sweet were both represented.

Jennie deserves a special thanks for all her hard work into making the season fun for everyone at work and at the party. Thanks, Jennie!

Here is Jason eating carrots (haha) and Cyndi stuffing her face!

Shannon and Gabby getting their grub on.

Merry Christmas to the Greatest Teams on Earth!

Thayne and Cindy

Marisol and Garrett

Another great "Create your Caption" contest photo.

Jennie and Dave

Sarah and Greg (and Ava)

Jason and Cyndi (and Ava)

Kamie, Shannon (pretty name) and Gabby

Paloma and Ben also deserve a special thanks for getting us the space at their HOA.

Lacey and Clint

Sarah and the newest member of the team, Ava.

What a fun time. A tough year, but a fun year. I hope 2012 brings more of the good and less of the bad. If I am blessed to continue working with these wonderful people, I will be happy.