Merry Christmas Everyone!

Merry Christmas to all of my dear family and friends!! Another year has come and gone!! I am trying to be more "green" by sharing our Holiday greetings online. Since my blog is a family journal I thought this would be the perfect place to share 2009 with everyone.

We have had quite a year!! Life is always full of surprises, challenges, joys, and tough stuff!!

Oliver just started Middle school (I can't be old enough to have a middle schooler!!). He loves his engineering class and continues to be an avid reader and writer. He wrote a song for an Art Reflections program that won at State this last spring and this year, so far, he is going on to regionals with this year's song. I coached he and several friends in a First Lego League team. We had a lot of fun building, programming, and designing our robot. It was a lot of work, but the tournament made it all worth it. We placed 15th out of 47 teams. Oliver will turn 12in a few weeks and will become a Deacon!! and begin Boys scouts.

Henry is in 4th grade. He is enjoying Idaho history and recess. Like Oliver, he loves building and creating with Legos. Henry was an honorary brother on the Lego team. I think he really enjoyed hanging out with the middle school kids. Henry is also playing piano. He works so hard!! Henry is the one who always says "thank you, mom." He is always very thoughtful and sensitive.

Jack just started 1st grade! All three boys are at school all day. Elsie and I really miss them! Jack is very smart. He loves school and getting chased by the girls!! Jack loves the Wii and video games.... He has to always be doing something. On Wednesdays, we all go to Chess group. Jack is doing great!

Elsie is our little princess. She loves preschool and just started dance lessons which she absolutely LOVES! She keeps "the brothers" in line. She is a funny, spunky, cute, little girl!! She can't wait to start kindergarten this next fall and be at school with her brothers.

Surprise!! We are having a baby girl in April. We had been telling everyone we were all done and got rid of almost all of our baby stuff! However, we are all really excited. Elsie has already named her "Princess Butterfly." I think that she is going to be an unexpected blessing in our lives! Keeping Eric and I young:>

About the same time we found out we were expecting, and the oven went out, and a rough month in the office, Eric got called to be the 2nd counselor in the Bishopric! What a month!!! Talk about the fiery furnace!! It has been really great for him to get out and away from work and family and do something new. It has been a humbling experience. He works with some great men! He still struggles with his health and Chiropractic, but we are paying the bills and see the hand of the Lord in our lives in truly miraculous ways. Despite the trials, we feel loved and know that all will be well.

I stay busy as the "cheerleader" of the family rallying everyone on. Before knowing about our baby girl, I had taken on being the PTA Chess Group Committee chair. We have a little over 100 students!! who come play every Wednesday morning. I also got myself into the Lego League by getting a grant for our team. Being busy has been a blessing because I didn't have time to be sick and miserable. For all my work, I was named PTA Member of the Month in December for my efforts. I was recently released from working with the Young Women at church. I really miss them! They continually inspired me with their faith and testimonies!! I am now doing Provident Living Specialist and a Committee member on the Boys Scouts in charge of advancement. Both helping and blessing my family and my boys.

My greatest hobby is my kids. Everything I do is for them and their benefit. I have had so many people tell me how fast they grow up and so I am just holding on for the ride and enjoying every minute!!

I hope that you are all healthy and happy! There is not a day that goes by that I am not grateful for incredible family and friends who lift me to new heights and encourage me on my way!! Thank you for blessing my life!!

Tiffany & family