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Friday, December 22, 2017

Christmas Letter 2017

2017
       
 It’s that time of year, the annual Christmas letter from the ‘House of Homer’. 
Lets start at the top of the family.

Jeff- (older still) You will hardly see this guy sit still. Copper Canyon, Jeff’s cabinet shop, moved locations; they found their new home in West Valley City. It’s been a great move to some much-needed space. They have continued to expand and most importantly create beautiful cabinets and furniture. Jeff is still in the Stake Presidency. He loves our stake family and does a great job serving. Our family was lucky enough to go to Philmont Scout Ranch this last summer for training. Jeff had to sit in meetings while the rest of us played and had classes. It was actually a really amazing trip. Then Jeff and I made it to Girls camps, youth conference and we have had some incredible church meetings.  Jeff also kept his bike seat warm this last season. He not only completed his second year at Lotoja (204 miles) But, also received the Triple Crank award. This means he completed the three hardest rides in Utah. To top it all off he, put in 3,850 miles on his bike.  And in between all that, he accomplishes things on the Honey-do list. Which included our new room. We are over the moon about it.



Brynn- (how am I this old already?) I am busy as ever too. I am the scheduler, taxi, feeder, organizer and mess cleaner-upper. I have no idea how people get so much done. I still serve in the nursery, with the best little class. I will be so proud to see them move onto primary. I only do a teeny bit of hair, here and there. (Mostly because I can’t leave Asher unattended for too long.) When I am not taking care of my 6 favorite people, I take a minute to get out in my garden, read a book, or do home improvement projects. I have never bricked before, it was an adventure to say the least.



Ryleigh-(13) Officially a teenager. OH. MY. HECK!!!!  She seems to have grown up, taller than me even, over night. Ry created a science fair project that won school, Region, and State. She applied for Broadcom Masters, A national science fair program, but didn’t make it in, darn it. Ry graduated the 6th grade, yahoo!! Because we are in year round schedule, she had to start summer school gym while she was finishing out 6th. She took summer school in order to make room for her extra French courses. Ry’s braces came off and she chopped off all her hair and I even let her have a bit of nonpermanent purple. She played Rec Volley Ball, went to Hogwarts camp, had a blast in Florida at CMN momentum, was in Roger and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, and her most favorite trip was Philmont. Ry still cleans the shop for Jeff, and is a fantastic babysitter.



Alex-(10) Alex has the busiest schedule of all the kids. The first stage of braces came off and his smile has improved so much, he had a weird hematoma from a baseball injury on his lip that had to be surgically removed, but is all better and has had nothing but awesome health. We are so thankful at this time of year and always for Julie and her family. This time of year because we remember how sick Alex was. In January it marks 3 years since his transplant. He is now in the 4th grade, continuing French  (and loving it) He has been working like crazy as an ambassador for Primary Children’s Hospital and Children’s Miracle Network. We went to Florida for Momentum tour for CMN, he has spoken at various golf tournaments, has done recordings for CMN/Walmart, and short films for Extra Life Gaming, and The credit unions. Lots of you saw his commercial for Festival of Trees filmed 2 years ago. We are all just happy to tell anyone how thankful we are for Primary Children’s Hospital and all those who contribute, the staff, and all those who have made our burden light. (Which, probably includes you and your family so ..THANK YOU) This year Alex tried speed skating and fell right in love. He is also part of Lego League at school. His art also moved on in the Reflections program, He loved Philmont, he got to throw out the first pitch at a Bees Baseball game, he loves scooters and skate parks, boating, and playing with his friends every chance he gets.









Eden (7)- Eden Started out the year toothless and losing more and more, then one morning she woke up with her adult teeth all grown in. She sprained her wrist, but only needed the sling for a couple of weeks. Eden started first grade and with that, begins her training in the French language. (I really need to learn, so I can keep up with the kids) She is so excited to be able to talk to her brother and sister. She also started Art Classes at a studio in Gardner Village. She loves it and continues to adore all art. Which was evident when her two pieces were chosen to move on in the Reflections program. She is the little peacemaker, and tries really hard to get her chores done quickly so she can play with her friends or come up with games to entertain her younger siblings. She is such an easy kid.





MayLee (4)- May is always off playing with her little toys or begging to play with a friend. She loves singing and is learning all of her letters and numbers in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) club and Preschool. MayLee learned to ride a two-wheeler this summer and loves swimming any chance she gets. She is following in her brother’s footsteps and had her first appearance as an advocate for Primary Children’s Hospital at a golf tournament. She loved it! She had another great year of health. A sleep study showed, mild obstructed sleep apnea as well as sleep desatting, congruent with her lung disease. She continues to wear oxygen at night, the only treatment for her condition. It has been nice to have her healthy as well.



Asher (2)- looking at my sweet little cherub, you would have no idea that he can do more in 1, one, ONE unsupervised minute than most people can do all day. It takes him 30-45 minutes to be convinced to go to bed, but he can open three apps, delete iTunes and pinterest and call daddy in less than 17 seconds. If he were an adult we would applaud him. Asher has learned to fearlessly ride a scooter and balance bike all over the skate parks, much to the dislike of all the other park users. Asher is doing really well in Nursery; he has managed to survive each week…. Oh, Wait, that is his leaders. Asher loves art; his favorite mediums are Clorox powder and toothpaste on carpet (that stuff does not vacuum up), and marker/sharpie on upholstery and walls. He has found that butter knives are perfect for opening most interior locked doors, chair can be moved to various locations around the house with ease, and the food in the kitchen is easy to get to with the other two items mentioned above. He loves chasing around his siblings, being outside, is his daddy’s best pal, and has huge huge plans for potty training.






We are so thankful for this time of year to look back at all that we have accomplished, and look forward to another full and happy year. We are thankful for the continued love and support we get from all of our friends and family. We love you. We also think of the Savior, His birth and his example. We try to follow Him.


Merry Christmas and have a ROCKING New Year!!!

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Love you! Merry Christmas!