Christmas letter

I was lazy this year and decided to send Christmas cards without a letter. So here's the letter that would have been in my Christmas cards.

This year has been a great year for us. I asked the kids to tell my the highlights of their year. Caleb said "What are ear highlights?" Ha-ha. Anyway, for Michael(10) it was being able to go to Lagoon and 7 Peaks this summer with Justin, Tami, Amy, Chad, Angie, and anyone else who was involved. He and Justin worked all summer to earn money for the trip. He began 5th grade, is in the school district's gifted and talented program, and is the vice president of the student council. He's also taking ballroom dance lessons(No one can laugh, if you've seen the Wedding Planner, Matthew Machauneghy also took dance lessons:-))He's also looking forward to the Temple open-house and claims that will be another highlight.

Caleb's highlights were going to 7 Peaks(a different trip than Michael's) in Utah, and his baptism in September. He played coach pitch ball this year and did very well, but hated going to practices. He's in 2nd grade and does very well in school.

Josh liked having the Gallants babysit while Clint and I were in Cancun. They went to the Zoo where Josh won a prize stuffed animal, and they went to Rigby lake. It sounded like they had a lot of fun while we were gone. He began 1st grade this year and is doing very well. He still gets anxious sometimes about going, but seems to be handling his fear much better this year. He played t-ball this summer and also did well.

Sarah says her highlight was playing with Emma, but since that just happened last week I'm thinking she has a problem with remembering anything further back than that. She began preschool and loves it. She has a wonderful teacher who calls Sarah "Smarty pants" which Sarah thinks is hilarious! She turned 5 in November and is such a big girl now. I can't believe my baby is 5! She's all girl, but isn't afraid to stick up for her brothers. The other day in primary Josh got his feeling hurt by another kid in his class. Sarah went up to the kid with her hands on her hips and told him that wasn't nice! She's not afraid.

Clint and I had some fun opportunities this year too. In Jan. we went to Portland for my brother John's wedding. They were married in the Portland temple which was so gorgeous! We went without kids too which was very nice. We also got to go to Cancun, which most of you know, but that was the best trip ever! Thanks Chad and Angie. We got to go deep sea fishing, swim with dolphins, see Chitzen Itza, swim in an underground lake, scuba dive, and relax. Ah, the memories!

We had a fun visit from my brother Matt and his family in August. Here are my kids with his kids Haven and Adelaide.

My sister Mandy and her family moved back to Tennessee in June right after having a beautiful baby boy. Boo-hoo. We're still sad about that. But my mom came to visit after Mandy had her baby so we got to see her. Which reminds me that my dad retired this year which is a big deal! Yay, dad!

Josh, Avery and Alex.

Clint has been battling headaches all year and seems to be losing. That doesn't keep him from fulfilling his job as the seminary principal at Skyline High, doing all his bishoply duties, hunting for deer(he shot one this year and we made jerky!), fishing with his dad, playing with his kids, and keeping me happy. He's such a good man and I'm so blessed to have him as a husband!

And there you have it. It's everything I can remember for now. Merry Christmas to all and Happy New Year!