Merry Christmas 2010

Merry Christmas!! It is hard to believe it is that time of year again to look back at the year and what we have done. It has been a big year: Eric's health solved, a new baby girl, Norah, a much anticipated-years-of-saving-trip to Disneyland and Legoland, and everything in between. We have truly been blessed! Here is my attempt at summarizing our year and recording our family history.

At the beginning of the year, we finally figured out what was going on with Eric. He had been losing a lot of weight, while I was gaining wait with our baby girl. I weighed more than he did!! He was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. We were so grateful to finally know what was going on. Blessings don't always come the way you think that they will. I was so grateful to have a happy, healthy husband again! We had a bishopric change and Eric was recalled as 1st counselor to Bishop Bob Athay. He has enjoyed it, he just really misses Bishop McArthur. The office is doing better now that he is feeling better. Eric enjoys his fly fishing trips in July with my dad and his brother-in-law Randy. They have a GREAT time. Eric is a great husband and father. He gives me wings so that I can fly.

Oliver is almost 13 (January 10) and in the 7th grade. He just finished writing his first novel, "The Stone Chronicles." It is almost 500 pages. He has several books planned for the series. He put together a book trailer complete with pictures, words, and a piano song that he has written. Amazing!! This fall, I helped coach a First Lego League team (the Galilego Geeks) for him and 5 other boys. They did GREAT! We won 1st at the Regional Qualifier in the Robot Game and 1st in Robot Design. Then went on to win 1st at State in the same events!! Go Geeks! This last January Oliver was ordained a deacon and called to be the deacon's quorum president. He has also been blessed with an incredible scout leader who takes them on monthly campouts. Oliver gets frustrated that life is so busy and he doesn't have the time he wants to write. He is growing up!

Henry is 10 and in the 5th grade. He is excited to turn 11 in April so that he can go with Oliver and dad on the campouts! He received his Webelos advancement and is working on his Arrow of Light. At school, he received an award for artwork that he did for the PTA Reflections program. He is very creative. Henry is my number one Norah watcher. Henry loves our baby girl! Henry and Jack will spend hours playing on the wii and building with Legos. In general, those two get along really well. Henry is a great kid!

Jack is 7 and in the 2nd grade. I can't believe that he will be getting baptized this next spring!! He is also excited to be a Cub scout. Jack is a lot of fun. He is a little fireball of energy. When he gets playing the wii he jumps and runs in place. He really gets sweating!! Jack loves to play. He especially loves to play card games as a family. Jack is very smart and has some really good friends at school.

Elsie is 5 and just started Kindergarten. She had a slow start to liking school, but now she loves it. She has a really great teacher who she loves. We discovered about a month into school that Elsie needed glasses. She looks very cute! A whole new world has opened up to her. Elsie is my princess. She loves dress up and drama :) As much as she loves her little sister, Norah will sometimes steal her thunder. She's not too sure about her little sister. With the boys, she has started Chess group. She seems to enjoy it. She is also taking dance lessons which she loves, especially dance pictures and recitals when she gets to wear lipstick and make up!!

Our baby girl, Norah, is now 8 months!! She was born April 19th weighing 7 lbs. 1 oz. I will never forget when my mom brought the kids to the hospital and watching all of their faces light up at how small and how cute their new baby sister was. One of those special, tender moments. She has been such a blessing to our family. We had no idea how much we needed her. She has brought our family together in a way that couldn't have happened otherwise. We all absolutely love her. She has been such a good baby. She gets taken everywhere and seems to enjoy herself. I couldn't do all the things I am able to do if she wasn't so good!

I stay busy. I am into my 2nd year as the PTA Chess Group Chair. We have about 100 students that participate. Quite the undertaking... Also, on my 2nd year coaching Oliver's FLL team which was a lot of fun this year. I love being at the school and in their classes. I like knowing their teachers and friends and what they are up too. A month before Norah was born I was called into the Relief Society Presidency, counselor over additional RS meetings. That has kept me busy trying to plan, fun, informative, worthwhile, monthly activities. We did a lot with Provident Living topics-nothing wrong with being prepared! When I am home I like to listen to Glenn Beck, stalk Facebook, and read. Life is good. My life has been blessed by an incredible family, wonderful husband and children, and amazing friends who lift me to new heights and just love me for me!! What a blessing!

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

Love,

The Dahl Family