Christmas 2011

Each Christmas we try to sum up our year in one page.  So here it goes...

I’ll start with myself.  What’s new with me?  Nothing really.  My kids go to school all day and I have all this time to myself.   Like most moms I still find a way to over-schedule myself with teaching classes, doctor appointments, trainings, and just being a mom and wife.  I have discovered the joys of teaching yoga to kids.  It has become one of my favorite classes.  I started volunteering in Ava’s school class and then added it to my own studio.  So fun.  
I finished another 50 mile cycle event in June and ran the Dirty Dash with Reagan and her best friend in September.  I finally passed my huge pilates test that I’ve been training for the last three years.  I love trying new things, getting my kids involved, and spending fun vacation time.  I think I finally have them all hooked on Zion National Park.   

Eric still has a job at the same place doing what he loves best, arguing and getting paid for it.  Last year he had so much fun taking his motorcycle out for track days at Miller Motor Sports Park that he kept going this year.  He is currently trying his hand at wood work and building a bed for Nicole with his dad’s help.  

Reagan is 14 and in 8th grade.  Considering I met Eric when I was 15, this age freaks me out a little.  We are certainly never bored with Reagan around.  She keeps us on our toes and almost always laughing.  She competed in her first Gymnastic competition this year.  Her team took 1st place and Reagan placed 4th overall and had the time of her life.  She is also the President of the MESA club at her junior high school.

Nicole is 12 and starting to look like she came right out of a California beach scene with her long blond hair and blue eyes.  She even has a natural ability to roll out of bed already looking gorgeous.  She is continuing her piano lessons and is in the creative writing club at her junior high school.  And I have to add that she can make a perfect grilled cheese sandwich.  She is my little cook and such a huge help to me.  She would often go running with me over the summer and even did a snowshoe event with me in February.  

Madison is still my girly girl.  She allows me to still do her hair, dance, and sing with me like no one is watching.  And she still will wear pink, unlike the rest of my girls.  Madison has been in dance since she was 3 and we love watching her talent grow and grow.  It was her third year of her dance companies’ production of the Nutcracker.  You can really see how much she loves ballet.  This year she entered the schools “Reflections” artistic contest by choreographing her own dance routine.  She is so good I have now hired her to help me with my Zumba classes!  She is just amazing.

Ava, oh Ava.....
She is seven years old and acts like a big kid.  You know they are getting older when they have mastered the rolling of the eyes!  She is still this petite girl who may look like a toddler but then she opens her mouth and you realize you may loose whatever argument you have started.  She is in second grade and loves to read.  Ave is also in gymnastics and wants to start soccer in the spring.  You won’t find any barbie dolls or ballet shoes in this girls room.  To Eric’s delight, she even asked for a remote control car for her birthday.  

Our favorite family moment this year was going to the Little Mermaid at the Tuacahn Amphitheater in St. George with Eric’s parents in July.  During the thunder storm part of the show we also had a real life thunderstorm going on over us including lightning and some serious rain.  We waited in the downpour for an hour before we noticed the crew packing up and we knew it was going to be canceled.  We returned two months later to finish the show but I have to say we had more fun in that rain laughing and singing Little Mermaid Songs.

 
Ok, so it took more than a page.  Merry Christmas everyone, we are so grateful for our friends and family.  You truly bless our lives.  

Love,
The Stephenson Family

Christmas 2010

Top 10 Highlights of 2010

1.  We spent the first half of the year waiting patiently for our house to be built.

2.  In June we moved into our beautiful new home.  Now Eric finally has his garage with a house attached as a bonus! 

3.  In July Tamra started her in-home pilates studio and is learning to watch football.  Go Ravens!

4.  Reagan began her elite gymnastics program and entered Jr. High.  She is doing awesome!

5.  Nicole started playing the guitar this fall.  She rocks. 

6.  Madison performed as lovely as ever in the Nutcracker through her ballet studio, tried ballroom dance for a few weeks in the summer, and still finds time for piano.

7.  Ava started first grade, loves gymnastics, and learned to ride her bike in less than 20 minutes.

8.  In May we all took a trip to Boise for fun and to visit dear friends.

9.  Eric started building furniture with his Dad and finally took his motorcycle out to the nearby racetrack for some high-speed, adrenalin-pumping, vision-blurring terror.

10.  In October we took trip to Zions National Park for UEA weekend, picked apples from a local orchard, and hiked until we were exhausted.   The girls even found an ostrich ranch just outside the park.  Who knew?

It was an awesome year and we are always grateful for our friends and family who bring happiness to our lives.  May you all have a Merry Christmas.

Christmas Letter 2009

This was certainly a year full of up and downs, much loss and renewed happiness. Without the gospel I wouldn't know where to find the joy. It wasn't just the Christmas season that reminded us of the atonement of our Savior. As a family this year we were reminded through the loss of loved ones that we are a family forever. We found support through friends and family and joy in remembering what is really important.

The girls just keep getting older, big surprise right? But my baby turned 5 this summer, that seemed to make reality hit home, and then it felt like early retirement.

The girls stared charter school this year and are loving it. Reagan is still in gymnastics but added art and drama to her things she likes to do. She also graduated primary this year. Nicole decided piano was not her calling in life and is happy in the astronomy and drama clubs. Maddie is taking a year off from competition dance and switched dance companies. Like the older two girls, she also added drama to her school activities. Ava wants to know why kindergarten isn't longer and started tumbling class with her twin cousins.

Reagan and Nicole are both getting braces soon. Fun.

I am still busy teaching Pilates and Yoga during the week, the rest of my time is spent in the car dropping off and picking up kids from school. Then driving kids to various activities, friends houses and one more thing from Wal Mart.

This past September, Eric and I celebrated our 15th anniversary by taking a trip to Hawaii. We love snorkeling and just swimming in the ocean. Ava didn't talk to me for nearly two hours after we got home, don't think she was very happy I left.

In addition to practicing law, Eric was appointed as a small claims court judge. He serves in Tooele and West Jordan courts.

We sold our house! After all that work we decided we need more space, and Eric needs a garage to get away from all this girly drama! In the meantime we are renting a home in Stansbury Park while we work on getting something more permanent. Fun Times!

We wish you a Merry Christmas and hope to hear updates from all our friends and family.

Love,

The Stephenson's

Stephenson -- Family Christmas 2008

As usual it's been another busy year full of new things to do, house improvements, and non-stop dropping kids off to different functions. With that in mind here is our update.

Reagan loves tumbling, hanging out with her friends in her own room, and can't believe she turned 11! When asked her favorite subject in school, she will answer "walking home" -- her same answer as last year. Reagan likes making movies with her cousin, Rachel so for her birthday we gave her a "Flip" video camera. Now she no longer has to use Dad's cell phone.

Nicole has really taken to piano and we love to have her music playing through the house. Nicole is a big Star Wars fan so she started a Star Wars Club with her friends. She likes science and finding answers to unique questions. The last one was "why does your stomach flutter when you get nervous?" (Answer: all your blood rushes to your other extremities.)

Madison finished her first year of competition dance. While I was not prepared for being the competition mom, she had a lot of fun and even competed solo. After months of her telling me how tired she was all the time I finally took her to a doctor and wouldn't you know she needed her tonsils out to fix the problem. There is nothing like a good guilt trip. Maddie's favorite subject is math and hates being sick because she'll miss math. Seriously. She didn't get it from me:)

Ava is loving preschool and hanging out with mom. She has two personalities -- happy and angry. She loves to help me shop and quite often can pick out an outfit before I can. She has good fashion sense for a four year old. Ava loves to read, play with her dog, and hang out with her best friend, Josh.

Looking back it looks like I had somewhat of a mid-life crisis. I had neck surgery, started piano lessons, certified to be a fitness instructor, and even once rode Eric's motorcycle by myself. I'm healthier than I've ever been and love my new energy. I've learned so much teaching my 10 year primary class. I don't know if they've figured out yet that they know more than me.

For Eric it was business as usual except he was appointed as a small claim court judge. It is a part time appointment for only one day a week so he gets to keep his day job too.

Our family highlights included a surprise trip to Disney Land, Universal Studios, and our rainy day at Sea World. We enjoyed a family reunion at Lava Hot Springs, our family summer trip to Boise, and our yearly girls only trip to St. George thanks to Aunt Trena's time share.

I love this time of year, the memories of Christmas as a kid and a time to share friends and family. I am so thankful for Christ in my life and the blessings we have because of Him. Merry Christmas.

The Stephenson Family