Christmas 2019

Hello Everyone,
We hope that this letter finds you well, and in awe of our savior! This Year has been fun, challenging, exciting, and all around a joy. We are still homeschooling and have loved watching the kids flourish through that. We have loved finding passion in new and old hobbies, and hanging out with friends and family.

Miriam just turned one, it has been such a whirlwind raising this little human. She was Colicky for the first 2 months of her life, which was a new challenge that we were not prepared for. She has gone from a helpless sweet cuddly babe to a pretty independent one year old. She loves eating and crawling around. she is so close to walking, but has only taken a few steps for now.  She loves to interject herself into her sisters games, they are kind and sometimes let her be the monster. She loves snuggles, milk, reading, and playing. It is always so surprising to me how much babies grow and change all in one year!

Melody is now 4 years old. She has her own ideas of how this world should work, and isn't afraid to get the job done herself! She is so sweet, she loves to cuddle, read books, and spend time with those she loves. She loves to find new ways to get people to smile, whether it is with a hand drawn picture, an arts and craft, a hug, or playing with them. Her imagination is very creative and she has a lot of "friends" we have actually never met...She loves to explore the world around her, as long as one of her family members are close by! She loves doing school and is learning her alphabet, numbers, and timeline this year! She can't wait to be as capable and knowledgeable as her big sister. She adores helping Miriam learn about the world around her. She is such a little sweetie, and still can't help sneaking into mom and dads bed for cuddles now and again. 

Madeline is now 6 years old, She still loves to be the boss. She wants to make sure everyone is taken care of and and things get done to her expectations. She is so sweet. She loves to sing and dance, and often puts on shows for the household. She loves to draw and create. Her imagination is amazing and some of the stories that she comes up with are really neat! She loves to explore and is very independent, We often have to remind her that she is only 6 and we are still Mom and Dad.  She loves school she now knows how to read and write, and is learning her timeline as well as other facts! She is a great big sister She loves helping with Miriam in anyway that she can! She helps with making lunches, diaper changes, and helping to distract/play with her little sisters. 

Andrew is still at Hamilton Company he is a mechanical engineer there. He works in the small instruments group, and specializes in the syringes. He still loves working on cars, and playing video games. It is very sweet how he incorporates the girls into these hobbies. This year he did his first power-lifting competition and Strongman event. He placed second in both events. He is excited to keep training, as well as to compete again! It has been amazing to watch his dedication to training and see how much he has accomplished this year! He is an amazing dad and an even better husband. He is so selfless, and woks so hard. He always knows how to make us smile, and help with all the emotions that are constantly at odds in our household... We are so lucky to have such an amazing man in our lives! 

I have been busy this year with homeschooling, Stay at home moming, weightlifting, and Photography. I have loved homeschooling this year, picking curriculum and sorting through what would be best for each kiddo. Watching them learn and grow has been so amazing! Staying at home with them has all the joys and challenges you could imagine. It is simultaneously the hardest and most rewarding job I have ever had. My photography has been going amazing I have been very busy, and Have truly loved helping capture these special moments for each of my clients! Weightlifting has become one of my favorite hobbies. I also did my first power lifting meet and strongman event this year. I did not place at the strongman event, but got third in our power lifting meet. Both were such fun experiences, and I can't wait to compete more.

We have had such a fun year, and are so grateful for the many blessings that our Lord has bestowed on us. We are most grateful for the blessing of our savior coming here to save us. For our family both near and far. As well as the many friendships we have fostered this year. Thank you all for being a part of this crazy wonderful life! We are so grateful for each and everyone of you! 

Many blessings to you and yours! May you all have a blessed Christmas and a very happy new year!