annual family update

We did not have the time or energy to put a letter in our Christmas cards this year. So, here is a quick update on the crazy goings-on in our little family.

James (aka Darth Maul) turned 3 this year. He is mischivious and so adorable that he doesn't get in trouble for it either. His favorite things to do are sing (mostly the Star Wars theme song), act out Star Wars movies (he is always the bad guy), play Star Wars Legos on the XBox 360, follow Samuel around the house calling him Master Kenobi, and playing outside. Hmmm... is there a theme here?

Samuel (aka Obi-Wan Kenobi/Luke Skywalker) is a very grown up 5 years old. He finished preschool and started kindergarten this year. He loves school and would rather be there than home with me and James. Samuel also had the chance this year to play t-ball, soccer and has just started wrestling. He enjoys sports a lot, especially because John is involved in the coaching. Sam likes to draw, sing, play Star Wars with James and Daddy, and have play dates with his friends from school.

Erin (aka Mace Windu/Mom) has had her hands full with the move this year. The beginning of 2008 she spent her time repainting the old house so that we could get it on the market, keeping it spotlessly clean so we could show it to potential buyers, and searching for our dream home. Exhausted by the cleaning and packing to move, Erin has sworn off ever doing this again. In her non house-related time, Erin is still doing music at church. She was called as the ward choir director in our new ward and is also serving as the stake assistant music chair. She just survived her first major project - the Stake Messiah sing along, and hopes they plan to release her from this calling before next Christmas! =)

John (aka Yoda/Qui-Gon Jin/any other character needed at the time) has had a busy year as well. In addition to the move, John has been bombarded with work and his calling in the church. In March he was released from the Bishopric in P1-yay!!- only to be called onto the high council a short 3 weeks later - sigh. (No, seriously, he enjoys his new calling we just miss him on those busy Sundays.) John has continued to build his patient base at work and also added a few nursing homes to his job this fall. In his free time he coached Sam's soccer team and is an assistant coach at wrestling as well.

As a family this year we took some time to have a little fun too. We went to Myrtle Beach in June for a week (in theory for a medical conference but the kids and I tagged along to make it fun) and we are spending Christmas in Utah with Erin's family. We are loving our new home and invite all of our friends to drop by for a visit some time soon. We miss you and we have a guest room so there is no reason not to. We hope you had a Merry Christmas and that the New Year brings joy and happiness to you and yours!

Love, Erin, John, Samuel and James