Christmas 2014

We still live in Magna, Utah and love it. Life is grand and really hectic sometimes. Our kids are Luke (8), Jacob (7), Jane (almost 6), Dalton (3), and Alex (15 months).  They are really good helpers around the house and for the most part, play well together. They like to build forts outside with scrap wood, old tarps, and anything else then can find.  School kids have introduced Pokémon cards into our home so there is plenty of trading going on lately.  We like to read and play games together when it’s cold outside.

Luke is in cub scouts now and is learning all kinds of things like cooking, fishing, bird watching, carving, gardening, hiking, and has fun with his scout friends.  He started learning to play the piano and likes to dance around the house with his siblings to the blasting radio.

Jacob has become a good reader and made the fastest open class pinewood derby car for this year’s cub scout pinewood derby race.  He also really enjoyed playing soccer this year and made several key saves for his team as goalie.

Jane did soccer this year as well and had Adrienne as her coach.  She also enjoys making pinewood derby cars and had the pinkest, most rhinestone covered, flower powered vehicle in the open class. Her car finished a close second to her brothers’.

Dalton plans to be a “mean cowboy” when he grows up.  We try to influence him to be the nice kind.  He loves to read pirate books and fight imaginary mean guys off with his golf club.

Alex has finally started walking.  He is a very busy child.  He’s so skinny it’s almost impossible to keep him in the shopping cart or his high chair.  He likes to dance whenever music comes on and can blow kisses.

Adam continues to work for Exelis.  He planned a family wilderness campout this summer in the High Uintahs for a week.  We filtered our own drinking water from the nearby lake and caught fish to eat and cook over our fire.  It turned out really fun despite all the rain.  We hope to do it again next year, without a crawling baby.

Adrienne had a lot of fun coaching Jane’s soccer team and learning how to be a cub master.  The kiddos love to come to pack meeting and play games.  Adrienne is still getting used to all the party planning.  She also is going on her fourth year as oboist for the Magna town orchestra.

In our free time, Adam and Adrienne decided to tackle a remodel of a bathroom by adding a shower.  As these projects most often do, the scope and budget has exceeded the initial plan.  The bathroom is almost done and we have done everything but electrical with the help of our friends, google, and the library.  We are so grateful to have a second shower.

As this year comes to a close, we are continually grateful for our little family and the hope and joy that comes through the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Life moves too fast and we try to capture the little moments.  Thank you for your friendship and for your influence in our family’s lives.

Love, the Whittles