We hope this letter finds you happy and healthy. We are eternally grateful for all of our family and friends. You make our journey here on earth so much easier. We have had quite the year. Here are the highlights:
SCOTT
~Still works for Google. He became part of the conference team earlier this year and has done a bit of traveling. He likes this new project; it helps to break up his work week.
~Was sustained as the 1st counselor in the bishopric
~Loves being a dad and a husband, building things and working on his never ending to do list!
SAMI
~Still homeschooling and serving in the primary presidency at church
~Still trying to recover from Milo’s surgery and the loss of her mom
~Still enjoys having get togethers, canning, exercising and over scheduling the family
JAIME 11
~Loves dance and piano. Still participates in the ward choir and loves it
~Does very well academically and enjoys learning and using big words.
~Has quite the babysitting career. She even had her 1st late night gig. Got home at 1am
ALIX 9
~Is our free spirit. She’d rather climb trees and play in the dirt than sit and do her school work!
~Constantly full of great ideas and even implements them. She will be an inventor someday!
~Is doing very well in school and is even taking pride in the fact that she is left handed.
~Trying dance and doing well but not sure how far she wants to take it. Progressing nicely in piano.
MILO 7
~The biggest news he has to share is the surgery he had at the beginning of the year. He was in the hospital about 2 weeks. Had to wear a halo for about 5 weeks and had an infection for another 2 weeks. It was a long first quarter of the year for him!
~He is progressing nicely in school and his reading is amazing.
~Looking forward to being baptized in a few months
~Loves sports, bb guns and tormenting his sisters and mom.
NIAH 6
~LOVES school. Can’t get enough of it and is super smart.
~LOVES dance.
~She’s a good friend and enjoys playing with girls who agree with her.
AFTON 4
~Our princess. She is everything girl and not one ounce of tom boy in her!
~Does “school” everyday like her siblings and is getting really good at it.
~Has a smile and big brown eyes that could charm anyone….especially her daddy!
KERI 2
~The typical 6th child who also happens to be 2; cute, adorable and gets away with everything!!
~Greatest joy in life is to make someone smile
~Can hop, gallop and climb. Is starting to speak really well. Loves to draw on everything….but is a good artist!
OUR TRAVELS:
~L.A to visit Scott’s brother, many visits to Fresno, camping at Del Valle, Disneyland (w/the three oldest only), Utah and Brawley.
OUR VISITORS:
~Because of my mom’s passing we were able to see quite a few people this summer including: Grandma and Grandpa Thompson, my brother Steve and his family, my sister Sara, my best friend Mandi and her mom Sharon, and all of my aunts, uncles, cousins and even my grandma. It was a special time filled with lots of grand reunions. We were also blessed to see our good friends the Bremers this summer and Louis came for Thanksgiving.
We have been richly blessed this year and are continually thankful to a Father in Heaven who is so mindful of us and our trials. We are so grateful for his love and for the love of our Savior, Jesus Christ. May the spirit of love and forgiving touch your hearts this season, as it has ours.
Nice letter. Merry Christmas!