We had a laid back New Years Eve. We went swimming at Heise Hot Springs in the morning for a few hours. That night we enjoyed a lot of food, games and movies. Here is our Christmas Letter that kind of recaps our year.
December 2022
Merry Christmas!
Another year is coming to an end and we’re taking a little time to reflect on all the blessings and lessons learned.
We’re grateful for our health. Especially after James fell off the ski lift at Kelly Canyon. We were so scared but you wouldn’t really know he fell because he didn’t break anything and hasn’t acted hurt at all.
Jeremy loves being behind the scenes building software simulations for Stukent. He has his hands involved in all the simulations which a half million students (and growing) have used around the world. He also loves working with James in the Deacon’s Quorum.
Heather in her heart loves being a stay-at-home mom and wouldn’t want anything else but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. We do feel it’s all worth it with the relationships she builds with the kids as they come home and tell her about their days. Heather was asked to help interview new teachers for the elementary school which Jeremy says shows she is well respected and could get a job teaching if she wanted. She is the Ward Music Specialist.
Ethan is 14 years old, in 8th grade and officially taller than Heather. He loves all things sports playing basketball, baseball, football, running track and refereeing soccer this year. Heather was sad to see him stop taking piano lessons, but thankful to still hear him play at home. Ethan is really enjoying his wood shop class at school. He is serving as the Teachers Quorum 1st counselor. His next big thing is Drivers Ed. We are amazed as we see him coming into his own and the young man he is.
James is 12 years old and in 6th grade. This kid loves video games and sports (basketball, baseball, soccer, and football). James has a can do attitude and will try anything, and then try again and again if needed. He continues to play the piano and has really found a love for geography. We all enjoy James’ sense of humor and getting to know the amazing and sensitive kid he is. He is serving as the Deacons Quorum president.
Grace is 10 years old and in 4th grade. She has enough sass for our whole family and then some. She does gymnastics, dances, plays softball, soccer and the piano and will be on her first basketball team this winter. Grace has her bedroom in a constant state of disarray with all the creative projects she comes up with.
Gavin is 7 ½ years old and in the 2nd grade. He is most excited to be getting baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in a few months and we are happy that he is making this decision. Gavin loves playing soccer and coach pitch baseball. Plus, any kind of pickup football or basketball he can find at his older siblings games. He also improved his swimming to the point we don’t feel like he has to always have a life jacket on. Gavin started piano this fall and hopes to take violin lessons in the future. This kid is wild and gives us a run for our money. If Grace has all the sass for the family, Gavin has all the energy. Thankfully he prides himself on being polite and we get amazing compliments on his good manners all the time.
Hyrum is 4 years old and Heather’s sidekick. He gets to be home all day with his mom and our dog, his best pal Duke. Hyrum may be getting a little spoiled. He took his first year of swim lessons this summer and stubbornly refused to get in the water one day, even though he did just fine the day before and the days after. Hyrum is learning to spell his name, count, write and his colors among other things.
We’re also very grateful for home insurance after our water damaged. The process has been long (since August) and difficult (we didn’t have a sink for a while and still have to manually wash the dishes in a make shift sink) – I know first world problem. But, the insurance is coming through to basically replace the entire hardwood floors and granite countertops hopefully before Christmas.
