Christmas Onine Card

December 2010

Dear Family and Friends,

Another year has past away like a dream in the night. As we look forward to

Christmas, we are counting our blessings and reflecting on this last year:

C is for change, comfort, and challenges, of which we have had many (and yes, “C” is also for the Christ-Child). In January, flooding necessitated Construction and remodel. In April, little Eva Marie (6 lbs. 7 oz., 21 inches) joined our family after an emergency C-Section. Joe’s Church calling is Elder’s Quorum First Councilor. Julie is now a Sunbeams Teacher.

H is for happiness, honor, and harmony. Hannah joined the Young Women. She went to Girl’s Camp and attends a special Seventh Grade at Provo High for the gifted. She baby-sits, plays piano and cello, crafts, dances, and stays busy with projects and friends.

R is for righteousness, radiance, and rare. Rebekah is in the Fifth Grade and very artistic. Her Reflections entry went to district competition and she received a trophy. She loves drawing, crafts, piano, dancing, Concert Choir, her new kitten “Boo” and guinea pig “Indiana” and reading.

I is for inspiration, incredible, and innocence. Eva is seven months now and despite a challenging start, she is healthy, alert, and rolling everywhere. She eats paper, plastic and anything inedible with the opposite being true for baby food, which she won’t eat. She pats, giggles, and sings, and is a delight in our home.

S is for Santa, the Spirit, and sensational. Susie is three and enjoys nursery, pre-school, reading books, singing, playing her vanity toy piano, and all things “Princess.” She is Mother’s Helper with the baby. Her imaginary friend, Sarah, does all things naughty.

T is for teasing, talented, and thankful. Jonathan is happy he has his own room. Initially wanting a baby b0rother, he and Eva share looks, laughs, and humorous personalities. Jonathan draws excellent pictures, loves to read, play the piano, have fun with friends, and learn new computer games with Dad.

M is for motherhood, magic, and mystery. Julie marvels at all she continues learning as a mother. She manages our home, teaches and trains new leaders in LLL (Breastfeeding Mothers Group), and tries to weave magic into the ordinary and mundane. She solves some of the frequent childhood mysteries (missing socks, musty smells, and monsters under the bed). A is for amazing, adventurous, and awesome. Joseph amazes us as our handyman, father, and friend. As an Actuary, he is also Executive Vice President at EMI Health (new name, new CEO, same company). He manages the IT Dept. as well as the Actuarial Dept. He spent many long nights working on our remodel, planning, preparing, painting, and tiling.

S is for sweet, sacred, and sublime. We contemplate our blessings and value your love and friendship. We wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!