Merry Christmas

Christmas Sunday 2010

(I don't know anyone who really cares for pictures of themselves, but I'll go ahead and post this one.)

It's the time of year that we all seem to be a little more reflective on our goals and our accomplishments and what we cherish most. Every year I have the best of intentions of actually mailing out Christmas cards, but instead I have a box full of blank cards that I buy every year and never mail. 

We've had a good year...

Charlotte turned ONE this year and is almost two now.  She loves to do whatever her big sisters are doing. She also loves dancing and coloring. She has had a very slow start to her speech, but is starting to use a few words, much to my pleasure! She is super silly and will raise her hand every time you ask “Who’s silly?”

Aliza  turned 4 last month and had a colorful rainbow party with some of her newest friends. She completed her first year of Joy School and is currently taking the year off, before starting preschool next year. She played soccer in the spring and then has just completed a session of gymnastics. She loved her class and is ready to try a dance class. 

Carmen turned 5 and graduated from Joy School in the spring and started kindergarten this fall. She enjoys school and all her new friends. And she is growing and maturing in so many ways. She also played soccer two different times this year. She is ready to try something new, maybe art classes. And Carmen lost her first tooth and the Tooth Fairy got to visit our house!

We had several fun vacations this year. Two trips to Virginia house hunting (if you want to consider that a vacation). Then we made a final trip to Disneyland before we moved too far away. We also stayed in a beach house at the Outer Banks and had such a relaxing time on the beach. 

David is back working in an office and finding new challenges with that. Work is keeping him busier than he would like, but when he's home the girls love to play with Daddy! They seriously drop everything and race to the door when he gets home from work. He is greeted each evening with a tackle from his girls. He is also working with the Cub Scouts at church.

I feel like I never have anything exciting to report each year. I face the challenges of laundry and cooking and cleaning and child care each day. In my spare time I've managed to do some fun crafting. I am enjoying my days with just the younger girls, yet I am so excited each day to hear Carmen's report of her school day.  I have also really enjoyed being able to spend more time with my side of the family now that we are living closer. 

We are grateful for each other and for each of our dear family members and friends. My greatest challenge this year was moving to Virginia. We still dearly miss each of our California friends and family members, but are making new friendships here that will hopefully become as cherished as those in California. And most importantly we are thankful for our Savior Jesus Christ. We are grateful for His humble birth, shining example and great sacrifice for us. We wish each of you well in the new year! 

Merry Christmas,

The Beans