So it is two weeks after Christmas and I finally found some time to sit down and write our Christmas letter….I guess it is more of a New Year’s letter now! But we wanted to give a little update and let all of you, our family and friends, know how grateful we are for you and how much we love you! Highlights of this year have been the birth of Ellie Elizabeth, a trip to Florida, visits from family, Chris and Chelsa’s get-a-way to San Fransisco and Christmas with family!
Chris’s classes in BYU’s BFA program keep him busy, as does being the head photographer at BYU’s newspaper, The Daily Universe. He especially enjoyed shooting the basketball and football games this year. His family is always amazed at his projects, whether it be a photograph or something made from wood. Chris enjoys playing basketball each week at the church and is still teaching Sunday school to the 12 year olds. He loves eating ice cream with Kylie, spending time with family and watching ESPN (or whatever game is on!) His greatest accomplishment of 2011 was finishing the deck on the Rowe Idaho cabin.
Chelsa stays super busy at home taking care/entertaining two little ones and a husband. She is now the Primary secretary and enjoys hosting Kylie’s playgroup as well as Psych night (for us adults…best TV show ever!). She also likes going on walks to the park, playing in the pool with the girls and is grateful to have started exercising again. She loves spending time all together as a family, crafting and digital scrapbooking (when there is time). Chelsa’s greatest accomplishment of the year has been adjusting to two kids!
Kylie (3 yrs old this week!) is as active and fun as ever. Looking back at photos and videos of Christmas last year, we can’t believe how much she has grown/learned. She continues to be super observant, smart and inquisitive. She enjoys nursery at church, reading books and playing with her grandparents, aunts and uncles. Kylie is loving, funny, a good helper (when she wants to be) and quite strong-willed and independent. She loves singing, dancing, gymnastics (at-home with mom), swimming, Little Einsteins, and anything yellow. Oh, and she can’t do anything without Mommy Bear, her Care Bear. Kylie’s greatest accomplishment has been potty training!
Ellie (10½ months) is both a sweetheart and a high-energy baby. She is very social, always wanting to be a part of what is going on and never stays in one spot very long. She can play patty-cake and peek-a-boo, walk with help, say Mama and Dada and just signed her first word…food! Ellie loves avocados and cheese, bath time, her big sister, being outside, playing with “Kylie’s” toys, and getting attention. Her greatest accomplishment of the year was teething (and learning to fall back asleep by herself after weeks of night-wakings!)
We have been blessed this year and are thankful that we have been healthy and happy. We are grateful for our loving Heavenly Father, our Savior Jesus Christ and for the love and support of wonderful family and friends. We look forward to seeing many of you family members this summer (we have four family reunions planned!) May you all have a super-duper 2012!
