Nathan "Benjamin Franklin" Beadle

Nathan had his first lesson in the principles of electricity this evening. He unplugged Audrey's baby monitor from the cord and put the electrical connector piece - which was still plugged into the wall - in his mouth. After he put it in his mouth he then asked what would happen if you would put it in your mouth. (A little backwards - do first, then ask??) I stated that I wasn't sure what would happen. He then informed me that you could get stung. He then admitted that he had tested it out and requested a drink of water. As he was chugging his drink of water, he described the sting like that of a bee, stingray or jelly fish (not that he has any real experience, just a great imagination).

Nathan Loves Primary

Nathan made an intuitive comment this afternoon after church. We were having lunch and Tonya asked him what he learned in primary. He said he learned about CTR rings. She asked him if he knew what CTR stood for, and he said “yes, it means Choose the Right, but I want to choose the left.”

Nathan loves and misses his cousins when they are apart!

Audrey Billips

She thinks she's Miss Big Shot!

Stumpin in North Carolina

We went for a short hike this morning and the kids just had to sit on the tree stump that had fallen in the way of the path!

What the heck did my mom dress me in!

Ice Skating

This is from Nathan's first ice skating experience in December, shortly after Christmas. He spent over an hour and circled the rink twice. The first time on ice is tricky! It was a struggle just to stand up. He enjoyed it and I was proud of his perseverance!

Little Miss Independence

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!