Well I don't have the money to send out Christmas cards this year but I do want to let everyone know how much we love them and miss them. We have had a very busy 2011 and can't believe the year is almost over already!
Let's start with Ray. He's been teaching at Hesperia 5 years now and has moved up to teaching Algebra 2 and Geometry. He loves this and with the Ace kids (high achieving classes) he is even happier! He has enough credits for a move on the pay scale to the Masters list so he was quite pleased with that also. He is now a counselor in the Young Men's presidency and that keeps him busy but we know he enjoys it. He gets to go camping once a month and is enjoying the "scouting" things that he previously didn't have time for. Now that he's not in school he's staying busy with his calling, tutoring those who need it, and running a club at the school. He's happy and was even able to play tuba at the Homecoming Football game this Fall (the kids loved it!).
Alex is 7 years old and in 2nd grade as of August this year. He has an assistant/aide (one for morning and one for afternoon) and that seems to really have made a difference. He is also receiving speech and daily OT at his school and he's working so hard, we're so proud of him. His writing is much better this year and his reading seems to really be moving as well. He is doing therapy to help him expand his very picky diet and has recently tried a few new foods, we couldn't be more thrilled! It's about time! He is still a loving and sweet boy who makes friends easily and has the most adorable laugh. We just adore him and can't believe he'll be baptised in March. Eek!
Ariana is 6 years old and is in 1st grade and loves it! She adores her teacher and has the nicest friends, it's great to watch her blossom and come out of her shell around the kids at school. She loves animals and can't get enough crafts. Always drawing, cutting paper, painting, everything artistic. This also leads to quite a mess... that's our girl! She has her own sense of style and isn't afraid to d what she wants and wear the patterns that she wants (her outfits are always modest but definitely a little crazy!) We love our sweet girl and she is a great sister and a kind heart.
Camden is 4 years old and enjoying his last year at home with mommy before heading off to Kindergarten next year. He's definitely ready for school, I think he's bored with me and he's just too smart for his own good. Poor guy, we try to do things at home to help him learn because preschool isn't an option for him at this point (we can't afford it). I tell him I'll be sad when he goes to school and his reply is always "it's okay mommy, I'll draw you pictures!" He is the family clown and is always making us laugh with his silly antics and funny jokes. Camden deals with asthma (no fun) but it's under control thanks to medicine. He's a huge dinosaur fan and can tell you all about them along with trains. He's such a sweet heart, I can't believe my baby is getting so old so quickly!
I am doing well too. I have had some health struggles in the last few years but none of them have been serious. I would love to have another baby and although everyone keeps asking us if/when we are having more this just hasn't happened. We've had a few very early miscarriages and this has been a real struggle so there, that's in the open so people don't have to ask. (It's been 3 1/2 years now of trying). I am still working at home as a digital scrapbook designer and have started my own photography business under the name Yellow Canary Photography. I am leaning towards newborns, families and seniors as a specialty but enjoy taking photos of people overall. I'm soaking all of the information in and working hard to keep the house organized amid all of this chaos.
Things are good for us, we are healthy and happy and we can't complain. We adopted two puppies this summer (golden labs) and they are just the sweetest. It's the best thing we've done for the kids in a long time, they adore these dogs and aren't afraid of dogs as they used to be. They really have thrived helping take care of these dogs and are loving them to pieces!
We hope you have a wonderful Christmas and we love all of you, thank you for your love and support!
Love,
Anderson family
