Merry Christmas!

We were really not on the ball this year and didn't do any Christmas cards. The new picture at the top of our blog is the picture we would have sent to all of you. The following is a brief recount of our year. Please know we love and miss you all and hope you have the best Christmas ever as you remember to make time for the most important part...Christ.
Mike started Medical school in January as well as starting a second job to bring in a little extra money. He continued to take call at the hospital and was made committee chair of our cub scout pack. He served on the activities committee (mostly to be the chair guy) and coached a baseball team. Recently he was made the wolf den leader. He will be starting his rotations in Jan. He was man of the year when he made a long time dream of mine come true....a trip to Disney World!
Deanna just kept busy keeping our house running. She continues to serve in the Primary presidency and loves working with the kids. She is also on the cub scout committee and is in charge of all advancements, as well as vicariously on the activities committee. She started taking a Book of Mormon institute class and is really learning a lot. She had the BEST time on our week long trip to Disney World and is counting the days until we go back...it will probably be a while. Mostly she loves to cook and try new recipes. She has really had fun sharing them once a week with all of you.
Drew (9) is getting so big. He is loving cub scouts and has earned so many patches mom doesn't know where to put them. He spent the spring playing baseball on the minor team, the White Sox. He is still practicing the piano and started learning to play the trumpet. He is doing really well. He is doing great in school and continues to be a great big brother.
Ainslee (7) continues to love to sind and dance. Her dream of being a ballarina came true this fall when she got to take her first real ballet class. She loved it! She turned into a little fish during the summer after they took swimming lessons and spent lots of time is a good friend's pool. She is taking piano lessons from mom, loves to read and can't wait to be 8!
Kaitlyn (7) took gymnastics and really had fun. She loves to swim, take piano lessons, play with her little brother, and help mom in the kitchen. She is quite the daredevil and went with dad on all the fast rides Disney World had to offer. She is such a sweet girl.
Bronson (5) played t-ball and had dad for a coach. His big step for the year was starting school. Mom was excited to have 4 kids in school until Bronson started half day. This is the first time we have dealt with half day kindergarten and boy is it a PAIN! Bronson loves school though, and is doing really well. His teacher was in love with him at first sight. He is really catching on to reading and picks out words he knows everywhere.
Camden (22 months) grew so much this year. He is a little crazy man and is now trying to carry on his own conversations. He loves his big brothers and sisters, especially getting into all their things. He recently discovered play hammers and goes around fixing everything. He is such a great kid...just taking whatever craziness is going on in stride. He got to take is first airplane ride while going with dad to a wedding. We love this little guy!
That about does it for us. We are so thankful to a loving Heavenly Father who watches out for us and blesses us so much. The gospel of Jesus Christ is true and gives us such clarity and direction in our lives. Wishing you much peace and love in the coming year! Mike, Deanna, Drew, Ainslee, Kaitlyn, Bronson and Camden