Merry Christmas 2013

I will have you know, I had my cards ordered before Thanksgiving, so technically I was all on the ball, but yet here it is just days before Christmas and they finally went in the mail. Such is my life.

 Hyrum (13) in true teenager fashion, has decided he doesn't really know what he likes to do.   I did however talk him into joining the badminton club at school and regardless of what he thinks, is still a pretty good violinist. He consistently beats everyone in dance on the wii and is looking for some more good competition. (hint, hint)

Hannah (10) continues to read through the library, doodle fairies, and dutifully practices her penny whistle.  She's quick to get her jobs done so she can disappear with her book and spends more time in the craft room than I do. 

Mark (9) has continued taking piano lessons this year and doesn't hate it!  He has made some good progress toward accomplishing his goal of trying out all the sports. He decided football was just okay, but likes basketball well enough to give it another go around this winter.  He loves tinkering with boxes of all shapes and sizes, building robots, rockets and a myriad of whatever else takes his fancy.

Hollie (6) loves riding the bus to school and school in general.  She loves coloring, My Little Ponies and helping mom with anything that looks fun!

Gavin (2) is developing his love of puzzles and the ipad.  He'll sneak into my room to steal it and I'll call him the iMonster, to which he adamantly refutes "I not a monster, I Gavin" but in my head I see it as iGavin.  Oh, he keeps us on our toes, especially when you consider all of his wonderful two-year old "whys?"

Its been a stressful year at work for Jotham, they've been understaffed for some time

creating more stress, work and travel than usual.   But to keep it all in perspective Jotham's finding joy in chopping and splitting the wood that will keep us warm this winter, and oddly enough, he says its gives him that same fulfilling joy that canning does for me.

The first thing everybody has said to me when they see our card this year is 

"Where are you and Jotham?"  and in all honesty, it was just too overwhelming a thought to get us all together (while looking nice) for pictures.  

So for your viewing pleasure one more of my favorite people instead:

 

And if we must:

Our most recent family photo from this summer

Merry Christmas!