Christmas Post 2012

Oh no! The Mayans were wrong! Because the world didn’t end I DO have to post a Christmas letter!

Actually the real reason is that my last day of school was December 21^st, and I haven’t had time before then. But, hey, blaming a long dead ancient civilization is so much more interesting. 

Krysta: Graduated as a Dental Hygienist and is grateful to have a job working 2 days a week.  Some of her fellow graduates don’t have work yet, so she is glad to be able to work, pay off her loans, and not have to study for any more finals. She also teaches piano to add to her income.  She went with her cousins to visit NYC right after Thanksgiving and had a great time in the city.

Kevin: Graduated from Alta High and attended one semester at Utah State where he studied calculus so much his roommates started to say he was dating “Cali.” However, since his dorm apartment seemed to be the gathering place, he got plenty of time hanging-out with his fellow students. He has been called to serve in the Ohio, Columbus Spanish speaking mission and will leave on February 6^th.  The talk he will give in church before leaving on his mission (formerly known as a farewell) will be held on January 27th.

Erin: Just got her driver’s license and is happy that Kevin finally brought the kid car back from college. She has also attended every high school dance since finally being old enough to date. She and two friends went on a road trip this summer to visit every temple in Utah. They all figured that their parents would have to say yes to a road trip that included temples.  After some hesitation and several conditions, she finally got permission.

Camille: Loves to collect clothes and participates in stealing her sisters’ cute clothing.  All four girls wear about the same size, which makes for some interesting mornings at our house. She looks forward to the One Direction concert this summer (tickets which she purchased LAST summer) and being in high school next year. After protesting that she really didn’t want to go, she ended up enjoying a road trip with Rachel and mom and dad to see Mesa Verde.

Rachel: Enjoys her last year in elementary school as a 6^th grader.  We repainted and decorated her bedroom a few months ago.  This month Rachel had to move out and share Erin’s room so Kevin could have his own room these last few weeks before his mission. (We are sure Kevin is thrilled with his pretty, yellow, horse decorated accommodations.) Rachel is looking forward to joining the Young Women’s program in a few months when she turns 12.

Curt: Has added a few grey hairs from teaching Erin how to drive and from supervising the morning clothing wars between the girls.  He still works for Extra Space as a treasury manager. He also spends a lot of time as ward executive secretary.

Sydna:  I still teach 7th and 8th grade math at Elk Ridge Middle School. I am also taking some online graduate classes to get a library media specialist endorsement. I enjoy serving in Young Women’s with the Mia Maids (13-14 year olds). All of my activities keep me busy. Consequently, the house is rarely clean and the laundry is never done, but…I blame it on the Mayans. 

Merry Christmas!

December Events

Kevin enjoyed his time at Utah State and did well in his classes earning all A's.  He and his roommates designed the poster below for a contest in his dorm.  Kevin drew the Aggie bull in the corner, and their combined creativity won them the grand prize of restaurant gift certificates.  The perfect prize for a dorm full of hungry boys.

 Kevin also enjoyed visiting the Logan Temple every Wednesday with his friends.

Apparently, the girls in the dorm will miss Kevin and his two other roommates who are leaving on missions.

For my birthday, Curt planned a surprise get-away to the Marriott downtown. After eating cake and ice cream at home, we went to Lamb's for dinner and City Creek for Christmas shopping.  It's always nice to have a break and time away no matter how short!

Rachel graduated from DARE and thinks her shirt is cooler than any the other kids got.  Thankfully Kevin was home and able to go and take pictures with his new missionary camera. She is thrilled obviously.

Verl had a reception for his photography exhibit at a library in the Avenues. It was fun to go see his work. He has all of his own equipment so he can print, frame and mat his own photos. I am excited to have a few of these on my wall soon.

We are thankful for temples

Thanksgiving break started off with us taking Kevin to the temple for the first time the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. We just had the three of us in a not very crowded temple, so it was a nice experience. My mom and dad came up for Thanksgiving and Kevin was able to go back to the temple a few days later with them.

 (Clones)

Verl and Sanae invited us to their new home for Thanksgiving where we had one of the best meals ever.  Not only did we have all of the traditional foods, but we also had salmon and authentic chow mein.  Yummy!

We rounded out the weekend by playing games and decorating the house for Christmas.