Our big news of the year is we are preparing to move – yet
again. This time, we’re headed to Klamath Falls, Oregon, and look forward to
being closer to family. Dan’s job is with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
again and he will be supervising their habitat restoration work and outreach
activities.
Emma, Ben, Eliza and Gideon all played soccer. Dan was Emma’s coach
in the spring and Eliza’s in the fall. Dan and Jennifer also played in a co-ed
adult league, so we all had a lot of fun.
We went to Devil’s Tower in northeast Wyoming and enjoyed
hiking around there. We went to New Mexico for spring break and saw the
Carlsbad Caverns, White Sands National Monument, Bandalier National Park
(before the big fire), petroglyphs around Albuquerque, Garden of the Gods in
Colorado, and stayed a night at Guadalupe National Park in Texas. We went to
Oregon and Washington in the summer to see family, camped at Fort Stevens in
the Astoria area, and toured the Tillamook Creamery. We went on some additional
day hikes at Curt Gowdy State Park and the area west of Fort Collins. We also
went to Water World in Denver for a day. Dan and Jennifer had a trip on their
own to Germany in March, visiting Dan’s sister’s family and touring various
sites for a couple weeks. Dan, Emma, Ben and Eliza went to Salt Lake for a
weekend in October to go to LDS General Conference. Also, this fall we went to
Anderson Farms and did the corn maze and various rides there.
We enjoyed having a big garden with various squash, peas,
green beans, tomatoes, carrots, cabbage, potatoes, melons, lettuce, onions,
peppers, garlic, pumpkins, broccoli, and spinach.
We bought a 2011 used Toyota Sienna minivan in early December
after our 2007 Sienna was totaled when we were hit from behind on an icy patch
headed to Denver.
Dan – Went through a leadership training for work and stayed
busy with coaching and playing soccer, being involved at church in the
bishopric the first half of the year, then playing the piano for the Primary
(children’s meetings) and is now president of the young men. He is still
running several times a week.
Jenn –Involved in book groups (hosted in November), played
soccer and ran in the summer, stays busy with teaching children songs at church
for the Primary. She went to Denver for a Time Out for Women conference with
friends and is currently attending hi-low exercise class twice a week.
Emma – Had her ears pierced in December, and has stayed busy
with spelling bee preparation, choir, honors reading, band (flute), volleyball,
track and soccer. She also has been old enough (11) to start watching the other
kids some, which has really given Dan and Jennifer some additional flexibility.
She and Ben have been doing a paper route since August and feel like they’re
super rich.
Ben – Started playing the violin this fall and played
soccer. He earned his bear badge and is a Webelos in Cub Scouts. He has a
variety of Lego creations and currently is into Pokemon.
Eliza – Was baptized in August (after turning 8), had an
adventure at the emergency room in January after falling off the McDonald’s
play equipment for a birthday party and had four stitches. She also got glasses
and can see much better now.
Gideon – Started Kindergarten this fall and stays busy
playing various games. He’s in speech therapy and we’ve been able to understand
him much better lately. He loves his
Boba Fett lego spaceship he received for Christmas.
Gabriella – Enjoys staying at home and is now 3. She is
growing up quickly and attended her last session of nursery at church before
beginning with the big kids with Primary. Current favorite phrase: “I didn’t
mean to.” – said very sweetly after doing anything wrong.
That’s 2011 for us. We hope it was a good one for you and
wish you the best in 2012!
Love,
Dan, Jennifer, Emma, Ben, Eliza, Gideon and Gabriella
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