Dear Family and Friends, Christmas Letter 2011
This year has been a crazy year for us--full of trials and blessings! We’ve barely had a moment to catch our breath. However, looking back we see all the tender mercies which helped us get through the tough times. We are so thankful for our many wonderful blessings--friends, family, a job, a house, our ward, our beliefs… but most importantly, our Savior. We couldn’t have made it through this year without His help.
JANUARY- We started off the year with a huge blessing, when our 6th daughter (Calyssa Ann) so obediently decided to arrive on 1-11-11, the exact day I wanted to have her. In fact, I was on my way to the hospital to be induced (since I was way overdue), when I went into labor. She struggled to nurse and to gain weight, but finally started gaining well at about a month old. (She is a sweet baby, who has red hair and blue eyes.) When she was only 2 weeks old, our first challenge came when Aurora broke her leg (a toddler fracture, which was more of a twist than a true break), after it got stuck in her car seat.
FEBRUARY- I was sick most of the month with two tonsil abscesses and mastitis twice. Somewhere in there, however, we took time to support Grant while he tried out for America’s Got Talent. Our whole family ended up on the news that night and even in a few shots here and there when the show aired (a few months later.) It was pretty exciting!
MARCH- The first week, Sariah broke her arm (a buckle fracture), when she tried to “fly” from a chin-up bar to a mattress across the room. She is definitely our dare-devil! That weekend, we were very blessed to have lots of family join us for Calyssa’s blessing. At the end of the month, the girls absolutely loved attending a Daddy/Daughter Dance (and a special dinner) with their Daddy. (Calyssa & I enjoyed a relaxing evening.)
APRIL- I (Angela) continued to struggle with tonsil abscesses and eventually had to have my tonsils removed, at the end of the month. It was not fun, to say the least. However, we were blessed to be well taken care of by our amazing ward friends and family. (Another huge blessing throughout all my tonsil problems was that our previous Bishop happens to be an ENT. I am so thankful for him and all his help!)
MAY- We sang “A Child’s Prayer,” in church as a family… well, they sang and I cried. LOL! Tierra and Karina played on the same soccer team together, as did Riana and Sariah. It was nice! At the end of the month, we made a trip to Spokane to meet our future sister-in-law/auntie.
JUNE- I attended my baby brother, Joe’s, graduation from high school. Crazy! Riana, Sariah, and Tierra had their first piano recital (they have taken lessons for a while but never had a recital.) All three plus Karina also had a dance recital in June. At the end of the month, I (Angela) was released from my calling as Primary Chorister and called to be the Personal Progress specialist for the Young Women. Sad, yet exciting! (Grant continues to enjoy his calling as Executive Secretary to the Bishop.)
JULY- As a family, we drove 5000+ miles, in three weeks, to visit Yellowstone (Montana/Wyoming), Mt. Rushmore on July 4th (South Dakota), Nebraska, Iowa, Nauvoo (Illinois), the Kansas City American Doll store, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, tons of Church History sites, and lots of friends and family along the way. It was quite an amazing trip! We highly recommend it!
AUGUST- The first two weekends, our family enjoyed performing in the Multi Stake Broadway Review. In addition to being in the group numbers as a family, a few of us had additional parts. Riana was absolutely adorable as Fiona (Shrek) in the solo/trio, “I Know It’s Today.” Grant and I had a fun time singing the solo/duet, “Heather on a Hill,” especially since it ended with an onstage kiss! :) Grant also sang, “Music of the Night,” as the Phantom of the Opera. The third weekend, we made a quick trip to Rexburg, Idaho for Grant’s baby brother’s wedding.
SEPTEMBER- Since Aurora became potty trained, she was able to join dance this month. She was excited to take clogging, just like her sisters. Later, Grant was able to direct another Men’s choir for Stake Conference—something he truly enjoys! At the end of the month, Grant (Goro), Karina (Trouble), and Riana (the cook) were able to perform in Kitsap Opera’s production of “Madama Butterfly.” It was pretty special when Grant’s Grandma (who used to play the part of “Butterfly” professionally) and his mom were able to attend (which was the reason Grant decided to do this.)
OCTOBER- We were able to attend my Aunt’s funeral and celebrate what a blessing she was to our entire extended family. The girls and I also started voice lessons in October, for the first time, with the dream of eventually becoming the next Von Trapp family. ;) We were also able to attend Kasey Keller’s (the Seattle Sounders goalie from my hometown- Lacey, WA) last home game ever. We are all huge soccer fans!
NOVEMBER- My younger brother, Tom, left on his mission. Grant coached Riana and Sariah’s soccer team to another 2nd place finish. Calyssa fell off the bed and ended up with a broken arm (a buckle fracture)!! (Calcium supplements here we come!!- LOL) We spent Thanksgiving weekend in Spokane with family, where Sariah got her ears pierced and we had the opportunity to sing as a family, “Away in a Manger.”
DECEMBER- The first day of the month, I (Angela) had my wisdom teeth removed- not fun but a breeze next to having my tonsils removed. After I was all healed up, Grant and I sang a duet, “Star Bright/Estrella de Luz,” in church. Then the girls danced with their cousins at a Ward Christmas Party. Later, Aurora had her first dance performance.
We hope you all had a blessed year! We love you!
Love, Grant, Angela, Riana, Sariah, Tierra, Karina, Aurora, and Calyssa (and our 6 fishies)
