Christmas 2010

Merry Christmas 2010

As I look back on the year, I can't help but think of the many wonderful blessings we have received . . . and at the top of that list is the arrival of three new grands -- Juliette (March 29), Annabelle (November 26) and Cole (December 20). What a fun picture that will make when they finally all meet each other for the first time next month!

Another event that contends for the top spot is the opportunity I had to see all of our adult children in the month of April. First I spent a week with Marie after the birth of Juliette, then a week in Utah with Emily and Lauren for their graduations, and then a day in the DC airport with Matthew since I had a long layover there before my return trek home. I was so happy to be able to spend a little time with each of them.

Other than a fun trip to Italy and Bavaria with the Clark family and an EFY trip to England (the kids), our year has been spent in the usual activities. Tracy has arranged his stake meetings so that he is only in Kaiserslautern a couple of times a week. I have finished two BYU classes (just six more classes to go!) and a couple of large crochet and quilt projects (late wedding gifts for Emily and Lauren).

Christian continues to take online classes from Maeser Academy; he does the remainder of his classes at Heidelberg High School with AP composition as a favorite. He did another internship at the community library which took up his afternoons for 12 weeks, but what he really loves to do in his free time is work on guitar and piano songs. He gave up his room (now he shares with Bryant) so that it could become the band room. He is currently heading up a youth "Unplugged" event for New Year's Eve at the stake center, so we often have groups of kids over for band practice. Another big event for Christian this year: he got his braces off on November 30! What a great smile he has!

Lissie and I just got back from visiting Emily and Lauren and to help out with the newborns, Annabelle and Cole. We were the boys' favorite Christmas presents since our flight was delayed a day and we arrived back home early Christmas morning! Lissie likes her online classes through Maeser Academy and usually spends her afternoons in dance classes -- ballroom and ballet. Her dream is to add jazz back into her repertoire. She got a guitar last year for her birthday and she has done very well this year at learning to play and sing (mostly Taylor Swift) songs. She has a fascination with "favorites" and has all the deacons in our ward trained to say that SHE is their favorite. She has Tracy and me trained too -- she is our favorite youngest daughter!

For several years Bryant has dreamed of getting a job as a paperboy, and his dream came true a couple of months ago when an opening came up here in Malschenberg; he actually made the calls himself and got the job to deliver papers every Wednesday and Saturday. It fit in perfectly with his soccer schedule too, and now he has more spending money than any of us! Actually, he has committed to saving 40% so now he also has more savings than most of us! He takes online classes from Maeser Academy and will likely attend half time at HHS next year. He finished his Eagle Scout requirements last spring, but wants to wait to have his Court of Honor until he and Ezra Clark are living on the same continent -- maybe after another year!

Wishing you all a lovely remainder of the Christmas season (it's just the beginning for us) and a wonderful New Year too.

We love and miss you all,

Tracy and Lisa
Christian, Elisabeth and Bryant