Merry Christmas!

Dear Friends and Family,

It has been a full year, and we are so grateful for the opportunities we had and the love we felt. As promised, the answers to the Christmas card matching game are below. Thank you for your endless love and support. Words can’t begin to express our gratitude for each of you.

Emil - Emil started piano lessons this year and is loving it. He continues to make us all laugh and, at the same time, strike terror in our hearts with his affinity for fire and sharp tools. He chose “gritty” for his word and we couldn’t agree more. We love his grit.

Olive - Olive added guitar lessons to her busy schedule of gymnastics, piano and some pretty serious games of lunchtime flag football. It is so fun to hear her play. Because we told her she couldn’t use “six seven” as her word, she chose “athletic” as her word - she loves all sports!

Henry - Volunteered to serve as treasurer for the National Honor Society at the Junior High is meticulous at keeping their budget on track. He crushed his cross-country season and looks forward to running track this spring. In addition to running, he loves to hang out with friends, do math and eat candy. Henry chose “enlightened” because he has learned so much this year.

Mollly - Molls was busy with her junior year of high school, basketball, hanging with friends and going to concerts this year. She is thrilled to have her own room, but less thrilled it meant Lucy moving out. “Diabolical” means “crazy” she says and fits her year.

Lucy - Lucy graduated from Mesquite High School and moved to Tucson to play basketball at Pima Community College. She loves basketball and learning a ton. We are loving seeing her every few weeks and getting to watch her play! Working out and playing basketball takes a lot of energy so it makes sense her word is “ravioli.”

Grant - Grant continued to serve as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in South Korea. He loves the people there. His word is “miracle,” and he has really elevated his ability this year to notice miracles literally everywhere. His sweet influence in our family is so strong, even from the other side of the world.

Edgar - Edgar has shown us all what hard work and courage look like as he tackles tough classes in college and continues to earn certifications at work. His wise and encouraging voice is a gift in our family. Edgar chose “hope” and added, “Challenges and trials come, and many times I wonder why. Why did I fail or why I am struggling with this? Hope reminds me to look up and trust God’s big plan.”

Oscar, Adriana and Esdras - Their sweet little family has been busy this year with mom and dad working hard and Esdras learning how to move faster and faster. They chose the word “wild” for Esdras, Oscar picked “joyful” and Adriana “blessed”.

Pam - Graduated with her Master’s degree in strategic communications from Arizona State University and loved (almost) every minute of it. A major highlight was a 3-week trip to Rwanda to capture stories of refugees who had fled from neighboring countries. “Grateful” is her word this year, and she most definitely is.

Rob - Rob’s word for the year is “beach” and it’s no secret he loves the ocean, and more specifically, trips with kids. He got to go to Boston, L.os Angeles, D.C. and Salt Lake with the kids and made a lot of great memories.