Merry Christmas to you and your family! 2014
has been quite an eventful year for us. A year ago I couldn't have imagined we'd
have had the year we have had!
Brett
finally succumbed to his itch for banking and left the law firm to go back to
Zions Bank. Yes, that's right, full circle. He now works in downtown Salt Lake,
riding the FrontRunner train to and from work each day. It makes for a very
long day, but he is enjoying the work. He misses his wonderful coworkers from
the law firm, but overall considers this a positive change. Brett started his
new job just a few weeks after our family welcomed our fourth daughter.
Boston
Rachel was born on July 11, at 7# 13 oz. She is a sweetie and we adore having
her! She started smiling at 5 weeks (which was such a welcome sight to her
frazzled Mommy!) and is a happy, delightful baby. And so cute, if I do say so
myself!!
I
have been completely wrapped up in Rachel, trying to get accustomed to Brett's
new schedule, and keeping up with the big sisters' various activities. Most
days, I run full speed and barely keep up. But they are days full of good
things, and I’m told that shortly we'll look back and miss these days, so I try
to enjoy them! I do catch a “break” every once in a while when I cover a shift
at the clinic.
Katie
made the decision this summer to be baptized. We are so proud of her choice and
her desires to choose the right. Katie
continues with gymnastics; in the spring she was invited to be on a team and
has really improved her skills with the extra practice. She is often found doing
handstands, cartwheels, round-offs, etc. whether it is outside or inside the
house. She is in 3rd grade and her third year of Chinese Immersion. Her
teachers rave that she's a great student and quiet in class. (What?!? We wonder
if her teachers are really talking about our
daughter.) She is learning multiplication this year, and is often heard chanting
the times tables in both English and Chinese.
It's been a delight to her parents to hear her coaching Amanda in Chinese! For
Halloween, Katie dressed up as Pocahontas, even making her own moccasins to
wear!
Amanda
was also invited to participate on the same gymnastics team as Katie. They love
competing and doing all things gymnastics together. Amanda's smaller frame lends
her to enhanced gymnastics abilities. She has a bubbly personality and easily
makes friends wherever she goes. Amanda started 1st grade and also
started the Chinese Immersion program. She comes home every day singing in
Chinese. She is a voracious reader, preferring
reading to most other activities. She joined the Frozen throng this year and
was Queen Elsa for Halloween (thanks, Grandma, for the dress!).
Ellie
started gymnastics this year as part of the toddler class at the gym. She loves
to wear her leotard and go with the big girls. She also started a preschool
this fall that she LOVES! She is picking up lots of new songs and working on
letters, numbers, and social skills. She loves to share what she learned at
preschool with her dad when he gets home from work. It's hard to believe she'll
have another full year of preschool before she starts kindergarten. Ellie loves
all things Ariel, peanut butter sandwiches, and Daniel Tiger.
We
pray the spirit of Christmas will distill upon your family as we celebrate the
humble birth of our glorious Savior!
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