Christmas Letter 2013...

Hello all you Fabulous People! It’s the most wonderful time of the year, the 2013 version. When I asked the family what they thought the highlights of 2013 were for them, they all involved trips that we had taken. The travel bug is alive and thriving within each member of this family.

Oakley (11) said his trip to Washington DC was his favorite. After having the greatest fifth-grade teacher on the planet, who instilled a deep love of our country and it’s history, Scott and I were able to take Oakley back to DC to see many of the sites. The most memorable moment for me was to see Oakley’s absolute reverence as we entered the National Archives. As he looked at the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Declaration of Independence, it was clear he understood the importance of these documents and how essential they are to making our Nation so incredible. We’re so proud to be Americans!

Eli (9) loved seeing Japan. He thought is was funny hearing Dad speak Japanese and the neat Japanese house we were able to stay in, complete with a tatami mat room with futons to sleep on. The monkey park where hundreds of snow monkeys just roam around was also a highlight. Although a bit freaky at first to just have all of those monkeys just wandering around, it was a fun day hanging out with them. (We’re used to having roving monkeys around since we are raising three boys!)

Asher (7), our airplane-obsessed-boy, wanted to see the Boeing plant for his birthday. Scott and I were able to take him to Seattle to see the almost-100 acre building. It was a site to see rows of 747’s lined up being assembled. This boy will be in the flight deck of one of these planes as soon as is reasonably possible. He is already studying my Flight Manual from ground school and sharing with the family all that he is learning about flight.

Scott was nominated for Husband of the Year for his surprise for me for my f-o-r-t-i-e-t-h (we still don’t say the number out loud) birthday. I did not find out our destination until we were actually at the gate at the airport. A week in Italy with the love of my life was the greatest surprise ever. Gorgeous and stunning don’t even begin to describe the sites of Italy.

Terah is fortunate enough to have a most loving of husband who allowed her a month of traveling extravaganza to help ease the sting of a very significant birthday. After the surprise trip to Italy, I was also able to travel to Paris and London with my darling sister-in-law (The highlight being able to see the chapel my Grandpa built when called on a work mission in 1961), and to Virginia to stay with one of my best friends for a week of Girl Fun, including a trip to Cape May, New Jersey, which is an unbelievably gorgeous seaside town.

Now on to some of our favorite quotes, past and present, from these cherubic boys we are raising:

10. Eli was asking how many people live on the earth and when I responded 6 billion, I was immediately corrected by Asher who said, “Actually, 6 billion and one because my Primary leader just had a baby.”

9. When having some granite countertops installed, the crew showed up to do some measuring. This crew was made up of about six men who were covered in tattoos and plenty of piercings.  The boys were SILENT, wide-eyed, and still as statues the entire time they were here. As soon as they were out of the door, Asher whispered, like he was worried they would hear him, “I know where they’re from. They’re from California!”

8. One of the things that makes raising boys easier is they are usually nonchalant about what clothes they wear. I’d put some clothes out for Asher to wear for an outing and when he came down the stairs with a different shirt on, I asked him if he could and change. His response, “Fine! I’ll wear that shirt. But when I get arrested for wearing something SO UGLY, it will be all your fault!” I wasn’t aware the Fashion Police had arresting privileges.

7. Although the summer months are filled with a lot of freedom and leisure time, there are chores to be completed. After the announcement that we’d be working in the yard was made, Asher responded, “Don’t make us weed! That’s the worst part of being a child!” Let’s not tell him it’s not any more enjoyable as a teen or an adult.

6. Fostering independence in our children is of the highest priority. One experience that confirmed that the lessons are sinking in and maybe even being taken a bit far was when I received an email from Delta confirming seats on a flight to Pocatello for Oakley and Eli on November 23rd. It was their turn to go up to visit Grandma Lee Ann for Thanksgiving Break and Oakley decided to take it upon himself to work out the details of how and when they would be getting there.

5. Another “maybe they’re taking the independent thing a bit too far” occurred when a package arrived from Amazon. When I opened it and discovered a package of 48 golf balls, I figured Scott had ordered them. When he said it was not him, Asher piped up, “It was me. Summer is almost here and we have a whole lot of golfing to do!” Auto-login was immediately removed from our Amazon account.

And a few flashbacks…

4. While out driving, 4 year-old Asher asked, “Why do those people have all that stuff out on their grass?” When I told him they were having a yard sale, he followed up with, “But why are they selling their yard?”

3. When four-year-old Eli asked me, “Mom, where are the Santa cigarettes? I can smell them on your breath!” I asked him, “Do you mean the cinnamon Santas?” He responded in the affirmative, which was a relief because I hated to think of Santa as a smoker.

2. After 5-year-old Eli had met individually with his kindergarten teacher before the school year started, I could tell he wasn’t overly thrilled. When I complimented him on how well he had done reciting the alphabet, his phone number and address, and his colors, he announced, “But I just wanted to show her my moves!” I don’t foresee booty shaking becoming a part of the kindergarten assessment in the near future.

1. When five-year-old Asher and I were blowing dandelion seeds, I asked him what he wished for. He responded, “That we will ALWAYS be the GREATEST family… and a monster truck!”

And that is our wish for you this Christmas season- that YOU will have the greatest family and loved ones surrounding you (and maybe even a monster truck, too.)