Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! I decided not to send out a Christmas letter this year and just post it here instead. We have had a great year. Here are the highlights:

- Donny and I celebrated our 5th anniversary in January. I can't believe it's already been 5 years! I don't feel old enough for that.

- We got to go camping twice this year as a family. Katy absolutely loved it! We would have liked to camp more, but are grateful for the time we got. We have one more "campout" in the works for Christmas Eve in Meme and Papa's backyard. Hopefully it won't be too cold. :)

- Lots of visits with family. It was so nice. In August, Jon (Donny's brother) and Amber came out here. It was a short visit, but it was fun to have the whole family together again. In September, Mom's brothers and sisters had a reunion at the beach. It was good to see aunts and uncles and Grandma again - even though it was short. Also in September, Emily and Chris came out for a way too short weekend. They were able to help us celebrate Katy's 2nd birthday. I can't believe she's 2! She's not my baby anymore, she's a little girl. That's another thing I don't feel old enough for - to have a 2 year old. September was a busy month. Then, in October, we took our vacation and went out to Utah to visit my Grandmas, my sisters (Amy and Emily) and Donny's brother Jon again. I was able to celebrate my birthday with Emily which we haven't been able to do in 6 years. We really enjoyed being able to spend so much time with our families this year - we've been spoiled. Katy had lots of fun with her cousins.

- New callings. Donny and I are both in Primary. I'm serving in the Presidency and Donny is teaching the 10 and 11 year olds. We enjoy being in Primary together. If only we could get Katy to enjoy nursery on her own.

- Watching Katy learn and grow. She has changed so much this year. She talks all the time and will say anything now. We have to be very careful what we say around our little copycat. Some of our favorite things she says are: "Big truck's in trouble!"
"No, mommy. Go play! ober der (over there), dat way."
"Chrismas yights. I yuv it!"
She loves to sing "Happy Birthday" to anything and everything, and "twinkle stars" (Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star)", and "I Am a Child of God." Her newest song is "E-I-E-I-O" (Old macdonald had a farm) and if I don't do the animal sounds just right, she corrects me. Donny tries to trick me up by getting Katy to ask for an elephant or a giraffe, etc. I love to listen to her sing. She is so much fun. I don't know what I'd do without my little buddy.

As we celebrate this Christmas we remember the birth of the Savior and his Atonement. We thank our Heavenly Father for the gift of His son and for all that we have been blessed with, including so many family and friends. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!