About a month ago, we were looking at homes in Temecula with the kids. It would save us up to $900 a month to buy as house up there but Mike would have to commute at least 40 hours more a month which has been keeping us renting in San Diego. Anyway, we were looking at a house with a Real Estate agent and the boys were running around in the house and around the small backyard. She shut the glass backdoor and poor James went running full speed into it, thinking it was still open. He lay on the floor crying while we tried to help him feel better and then Jonathan did the exact same thing, ran straight into the door. Both Michael and I tried not to laugh while helping the two hurt boys.

Before the New Year starts I figured I better write a quick post and include the little Family Newsletter I sent out to family on Christmas Eve.


Dec 24

Dear Family,
Seeing as how Mike is busy assembling a toy kitchen for Gracie’s Christmas joy and I am giving moral support and drinking sparkling cider on Christmas Eve, I thought it only right that I do something to contribute to the Christmas festivities. So, here is a quick version of what I’m sure is a long-awaited family newsletter from our home to yours.

Michael: Michael is one busy man. After a grueling day of work, we get him for a couple of hours before we tuck the kids in bed. Their official bedtime is 7:00 but that often turns to 8:00. He then hits the computer/books for school. He has one year left of his duel degree program. The MBA is from Indiana University and Masters of Global Management is from Thunderbird. He enjoys wrestling with the boys, speaking Portuguese to Gracie and an occasional late-night snack while watching lectures or posting to discussion boards for school.

Ruth: The best words to describe these last few months would probably be naps, tired, and sleep. I insist that James and Gracie nap at the same time out of pure necessity which is that I usually need to nap too. This probably has something to do with keeping up with the kids and being due with a baby in May. In my free time I usually end up cleaning the house, doing laundry, reading, skyping with Rachel, sewing, crafting, preparing lessons for Relief Society, reading political articles and looking recording ideas on pinterest. I’ve replaced blogging with sleep but hope to get back into recording the cute things the kids do and say.

Jonathan (6 in February): I realize that there are few things worse than hearing a parent brag about how wonderful their child is, but since you are all family, you’ll just have to put up with it. Jonathan is big and strong physically and really bright academically. He is top-of-the-class with reading and math in kindergarten and gets things and jokes most kids his age don’t. For example, when I went to Parent Teacher Conference the teacher said that day they had been learning about the letter O and naming words that start with O. He raised his hand and said, “occupy” and went on to explain what it means. He at times is awkward socially but seeing as how he’s got the parents he’s got that’s to be expected. In all seriousness, he really has been improving in his interpersonal skills which have been a challenge for him. He's learned to pump on a swing and ride his bike this last year.

James (4 at the end of July): He is also really strong/tall as well and gets quite a bit of attention for his charming blue eyes/ brown hair combo. He has a spring to his step and loves jumping off and climbing on tall objects. I was a little worried when he didn’t seem to catch onto signing and speech as fast as Jonathan did but has made leaps and bounds of improvements this last year. He loves to chatter away in the car and run around with Jonathan. He always climbs into bed with Gracie when she wakes up in the morning to keep her company until I can get to her. He often fills her bed with toys and gives hugs and kisses. He loves to tell stories about nursery at church and draw pictures. He loves trains and often will tell us about how Great Grandpa D. used to work on a train and "jump from car to car to car".

Gracie (17 months): She is starting to become quite the little toddler. She follows her brothers around and they are both almost always very sweet with her. She is our first child who I would venture to describe as shy. Her favorite place is on my lap sucking her thumb. Her dark hair has become blond for now and like her brothers she is tall for her age, has the gap between her two front teeth (thanks to her mommy) and blue eyes.

We wish you a very merry Christmas and love you very much!
Ruth, Mike, Jonathan, James and Grace