Christmas 2008 Newsletter

The year 2008 has been a wonderful year for our family. We started out the year 2008 on vacation in Michigan, playing in the snow and cold. Nathan was able to enjoy sledding for the first time and it quickly became a favorite for him. Upon returning to Florida after Christmas break, Ryan continued at the University of Miami for his second of a two-semester program in tax and estate planning law. The big occurrence of the year for our family began in April, when Ryan was offered a position with the Van Winkle Law Firm in Asheville, North Carolina. Although it was hard to leave warm, sunny Florida, in May, we bought a house just outside Asheville and made the move. The law firm has many qualities that appealed to Ryan. It is very well known in Asheville; perhaps we could say it is the big fish in the pond here. The firm is full of great people and Ryan has learned a lot so far, while also preparing to take the North Carolina Bar exam in February.

Nathan began preschool in August. He enjoys going to school and learning new things. One of the things he has enjoyed learning is computers. He has made a lot of progress since he began. Mostly, though, he enjoys playing with the other kids. He talks about them all the time even when he is not at school. He also loves his friends at church and talks about them all the time.

Audrey has grown into quite a social butterfly. She is not shy about saying hi to everyone she sees and smiling at everyone. She loves people and has quite a cheerful personality.

We have continued our activity in the Church here in Asheville as well. Ryan was asked to serve in the young men’s organization, spending most Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings working with the great group of teenagers. Tonya was asked to teach a Sunday school class (Relief Society) two Sundays each month.

Tonya decided to take the H&R Block tax course in September and will most likely be spending quite a bit of time over the next few months preparing income tax returns. Most of her energy, though, is spent chasing Nathan and Audrey around and keeping up with them.

We wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and may blessings come to you throughout this season and 2009!

Merry Christmas 2008!

Today was the day Nathan made (really just decorated) his first gingerbread house. He just couldn't wait and was so proud of his creation. He would stick his fingers in the frosting on purpose so he could lick them, trying not to make it obvious what he was doing (pretending it was an accident). He also had a Christmas program at preschool today, but he refused to sing. Otherwise, he had fun.

Temper-tantrum girl

You might not know it from this adorable, innocent looking face - but this girl knows how to throw a tantrum. When she doesn't get exactly what she wants, or feel exactly how she wants, she cries until her parents give in. Not that her parents are complaining - it's just a phase, I'm sure you're saying. She has begun to walk, taking a few steps here and there but she's pretty lazy about it. She doesn't really like doing it, not at all like her brother at that age! She is very outgoing and friendly, saying hi to everyone and waving and smiling all the time. Not shy one bit.