I was planning on sending out a Christmas greeting card this year with a picture on it, (our first time sending out a Christmas card) but I changed my mind because pretty much everyone will end up seeing the picture either on my blog, or else at their house, since I'm giving pictures to parents and grandparents. So instead, I'm going cheap and sending you a Christmas card on my blog, hoping everyone I would have sent one to, will see it here. A quick review of our year, which was a lot less eventful than last year, and which you've probably already heard about if you've followed my blog:
We've been in our home in Tooele over one year now, and have finished a few projects this year, the most recent, doorknobs on our bathroom doors! So you can all come visit and enjoy the privacy now! No one has come to use them yet, except a couple of kids next door. The only other improvement I am really looking forward to is: A DOOR ON JAYCI'S BEDROOM! Please get the word to Chad (I've told him a million times already). We put in grass in the front yard, planted 4 new trees, put up a fence in the backyard (new grass to be planted in the Spring), and built a new shed. We also fixed up the basement so it's usable.
Jeni enjoyed a trip to Arizona with her parents and Jayci, in the Spring, to visit the Neilsons, and a trip to Washington DC, with Julie and babies, in the fall, to visit Jon and Melissa. We experienced two homecomings this year: Megan, Chad's sister, in June, and Jeremy, Jeni's brother, in November. It's so good to have them back! We loved the visits from the Neilson's, and appreciate all of you who took the time to come to our humble home out in the boonies of Tooele!
Chad switched companies back in the Spring. He still does plumbing, but now works for Neerings Plumbing Heating and Air (give us a call, we'll be right there). He is enjoying the indoor work (now that it's repairs, rather than new construction), although, he really enjoyed the construction work. He is still attending classes at SLCC to become a licensed plumber. He goes to classes two nights a week, which takes him away a lot. He has a year or two left. He became a goatman this year when he purchased two goats in the Spring, and also keeps his friend's goat for him, totaling three goats. It has been quite an adventure for him to learn how to take care of goats. A few special challenges are: keeping them in their electric fence, and keeping them fed through the winter. He has also had a great time with our dog, Hank, training him, and taking him out on some of his first duck hunts. He shot a nice deer this year with his rifle, which was probably his greatest accomplishment of the year, if you ask him. He is currently the Young Men secretary in the ward, and as of yesterday, one of the two gospel doctrine teachers. So we'll be having some great lessons here in the next little while!
I (Jeni) had a busy year of trying to get all ready to start my own tumbling and preschool business in my basement. I taught tumbling with a friend from my old ward, Lolly, in her parents basement, from Jan-May, until she moved to Michigan. In May and June, Chad and I scrambled to get the grass in, and the basement finished: painted, stairs carpeted, floor painted, new lights, baseboards, etc. so that I could start my tumbling class in June. We literally did most of it the day before my first tumbling class started. I enjoyed my tumbling classes in the summer, and continued it through the fall. In September I started up a preschool with 6 students, which I love! I have enjoyed it even more than I thought I would, and it works out really well with Jayci. I am also currently babysitting my neighbors 4 kids, Mon-Thurs. for two and a half hours a day. In October I got called to be the Young Women secretary and am loving that calling. It's the best position if you're going to be in with the Young Women because you don't have to teach or attend all of the activities, but you still get to be involved. My favorite part is being in the Presidency with some great ladies! They are great examples, and friends to me. I especially enjoy their patience with me and my often distracting, crying baby that I drag with me everywhere I go.
Jayci turned one back in October, and hasn't stopped going ever since! She is quite the little character, and we enjoy being entertained by her all day. My mom says she can't get anything done when she babysits her because she just wants to watch her all day since she's so entertaining. She has mastered her fishy face, currently says "juice" and "uh-oh" really well, along with lots of other things she tries to say that aren't quite discernible yet. She loves running, DANCING, drinking juice, trying to do all sorts of tricks, climbing, and spinning with her dad. One of her greatest loves is animals and being outside. She is so heart broken when her dad goes outside without her. She is quite the Daddy's girl these days and will follow him around all night when he's home and loves to run up to him and scrunch up her nose and sniff in and out, quite entertaining! She is the greatest joy in our life and we feel so privileged to be parents!
We love all our family and friends and appreciate so much what you all do for us! We feel so blessed to have the gospel in our life and to have so many privileges and blessings! Merry Christmas!
