Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! We are filled with gratitude as we recall the wonderful year we’ve had. Most especially, we are grateful for family, for peace, and for our Savior whose birth we celebrate at this glorious time of year.

Last fall, we found a rare discount on Disneyland annual passes, so we took advantage and made 2012 our Year of Disney! We went four times and have had so much fun watching our girls light up and play in such a magical place. It’s been a joy to see the little ones progress and graduate to bigger rides and braver experiences. Of course, visiting the princesses always ranks high on our favorites, but we also loved the new Cars Land. Amanda loved Splash Mountain, and Katie loved California Screamin’ (the big roller coaster). Ellie’s favorite was Dumbo. Brett and Wendy prefer Pirates of the Caribbean and Star Tours. We will look back fondly on these trips for many years to come.

Katie (6) entered first grade this fall and is participating in a Mandarin Chinese Language Immersion program. She spends half her school day with a teacher who only speaks Chinese to her.  Although it has been a challenge for her, we are so proud of Katie for her hard work and courage in learning to speak and write a difficult new language.  She has matured and grown much, truly becoming a joy to her parents! Katie still enjoys gymnastics, singing, riding her bike, playing games, creating new train track routes, writing stories, and, to her parents satisfaction, reading!

After years of feeling left behind, Amanda (4) has finally been able to go to school like her big sister—preschool, that is. She has made new friends, been on field-trips, and is preparing to learn to read. Amanda also enjoys gymnastics and, after hard work and practice, has perfected her cartwheel! She is a good friend to Ellie and loves to play pretend with her. Amanda loves to dress-up and play school, church, or “Mom.” Funny how when they play house, no one ever plays “clean the house!” J She’s a great singer and dancer.

Ellie (2) is leaving babyhood behind, much to mommy’s dismay! She has gained an independent streak of doing things herself. She runs, jumps, and climbs to keep up with her big sisters. She loves babies and dolls, doggies and animals, and is finally learning to play briefly with her sisters’ trains before destroying them. She loves to get on her shoes and jacket and GO (usually not caring where)! She has moved up from communicating with sign language and now speaks 4-5 word sentences and we’re amazed at her vocabulary explosion. Katie and Amanda think it’s funny to get Ellie to say big words.

Brett is still working locally with a small business law firm. He enjoys the people he works with and is gaining more experience, but often misses banking. He tries to keep up with all the projects that come with a 60 year old house, and our beautiful yard. He enjoyed taking his family to two BYU football games this season, the first with unseasonably warm temperatures and the second 12 hours after the biggest snow storm we’ve had in a year!

Wendy continues to work at community clinics in Salt Lake and Provo. She enjoys volunteering in Katie’s classroom a couple times a month and chaperoning as many field trips as possible for Katie and Amanda.  She loves the days when the laundry is done and we can all play together!

We pray that you and your family enjoy a wonderful holiday season, filled with the warmth and love that comes from our Savior and Lord. May you also know of our love and gratitude for you and the way you have touched our lives for good.  Merry Christmas!

Love,

Brett, Wendy, Katie, Amanda, and Ellie