Christmas Letter 2009

Dear Family and Friends,

Thanksgiving has just passed and we have much to be grateful for as we head into the remainder of the Christmas season.

Mark finished school about a year ago at this time and soon after began working at one of the local hospitals as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. We feel very blessed to have had several job offers in such hard economic times. He enjoys his work and loves the new opportunities. He has been working diligently to catch up on everything that had to be neglected during his school years and has not experienced free time to start up any desired hobbies as of yet. His family has certainly enjoyed having him around more. Mark has served in the Elders quorum presidency for the majority of the year until recently when we were shifted to a new ward due to boundary changes. He eagerly awaits a new calling!

Stacey has been learning to coordinate the schedules of 4 young children. With 2 in school and 2 taking naps, the day to day routine can get pretty complicated. Stacey enjoyed a trip to Spokane in May for Mark’s graduation and another trip to Oregon with the whole family to visit her mother while spending time at the beach. She has served in the Primary Presidency at church and is now helping in the nursery.

Taylor turned 7 this year and entered the 1st grade. She enjoys being in school all day and informs us she is in the “popular” crowd. She loves to chase the boys at recess and spends just about every free minute reading. Taylor gets through a chapter book in about an hour. She has been introduced to Hannah Montana and hasn’t looked back since. Everything thing is Hannah Montana including Taylor who believes she is Hannah Montana Jr. and goes around the house rocking out. She has lost 5 teeth to date and is growing into an adult more each day.

Dani started Kindergarten this year and can’t get enough of it. She gets frustrated with the Wed/Fri and every other Mon schedule because she doesn’t feel like she’s in school enough and it’s too inconsistent. She has met a new friend that she wants to spend every waking minute with. Dani is learning and growing quickly trying to catch up with her sister. She is a great helper around the house and takes real good care of her younger brothers.

Sam has hit those fun toddler years at age 2 and is finding where his boundaries are. He has earned the nickname “Smiley Sam” because most of the time he is found with a big smile on his face. He loves people and is certainly not shy. His interests include Spiderman, cars, and most recently, trains. We are still trying to figure out what he says most of the time, but his talking is getting better every day.

Joseph is one already and growing too fast. He has been such a sweet addition to our family and none of us can get enough of him. The children adore him and want to be around him all the time. Jo Jo, as we call him, has just started walking across the room, but still being unsteady prefers to crawl. He likes to put up the front of being shy, but he’s such a lovable little guy.

Thanks for your continued love and friendship. We hope through this Christmas time, and beyond, your family is able to find happiness and joy in the little things.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year.

Love,

Mark, Stacey, Taylor, Dani, Samuel, and Joseph