Season’s greetings! We hope this finds your family well and happy this Christmas. After almost eight years in Arkansas, we’re still finding lots to do to keep us busy. Here’s a little glimpse of what 2007 brought us.
David still spends quite a bit of time on the road and in the air, traveling with his job as a Senior Construction Manager at Wal-Mart. He’s developed quite the knack for parenting long-distance when he needs to. He’s been hunting a few times for the elusive Arkansas deer, and he misses the constant success he had in Utah (though he has had some here!). He’s so glad to have a hunting buddy in Colin, and they love to get away for a day in the wilds (yes, we have wilds in Arkansas). He puts up with the craziness that ensues at our house on a daily basis and is always our calming, fearless leader no matter where he is.
Kristen will forever be covered in paper and glue, whether she’s teaching scrapbooking classes or volunteering at the schools. She’s finally starting her own business designing scrapbooks and kits and is excited to expand what she’s been doing locally for so long. She’s renewed her interest in nature, as driving Colin to very-early-morning Seminary almost every day gives her the opportunity to revel in the glory of sunrises…and a week in the woods as ward girls’ camp director helped her to remember the beauty of bugs, raccoons, dirt, and rain. She loves serving in the Young Women organization at church, as the girls keep her feeling youthful!
Colin, at 14, is always on the move. He played football in the fall for the high school and is currently on the ninth-grade basketball team. Spring will bring high-school track and his traveling lacrosse team. He’s also found quite a niche as a performer and public speaker, thanks to his forensics involvement. His hobbies include bugging his parents to let him get his drivers’ permit (and he’s getting really good, with all the practice we still put him through), juggling any three items he can grab, and practicing his Joe Cool skills with the girls.
Lindsay has hit the double digits, turning 10 last month. Soccer, swim team, piano, and church activities kept her active this year. She’s also practicing for a career as a writer, and we think she’ll do quite well, judging from the number of stories found around the house! In her free time, she likes bossing around her younger sister, cheerleading from the bleachers at her brother’s sporting events, and taking care of all small children, animals, and insects she meets.
Rebekah, age 7, keeps our family lively. She started piano lessons recently, and has caught on quickly. She’s also enjoyed playing soccer and learning to ride a bike, and she would spend all day in the pool, if we let her–swimming is her ultimate pleasure. Reading has also become a passion, now that she can easily do it on her own, and she is quite an artist. Her brother and sister forget that she’s not a little kid anymore! Her hobbies include talking, wearing shorts and flip-flops year round regardless of the temperature, talking, making art projects out of any papers she finds, and talking.
This year has given us time to really reflect on family and friends and how important they are to us. Please keep in touch! We truly wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
