It's hard to believe another year has come and gone! This has been a great year for our family.
The kids enjoyed going to the mall again to do the Adventure to Santa experience. This year it was with the Kung Fu Panda characters. Now every time we drive by the mall, Amilia says "That's Santa's house!"
Top Ten of 2016:
10. I worked part-time as an after school tutor with a kindergarten student for about four months which was really fun for me and also did some craft fairs in the spring. I haven't done much since summer as the kids keep me busy enough, but I joined the gym back in August and have been going regularly and meeting with a personal trainer. I'm getting stronger and making milestones toward my wellness goals!
9. Ryan was accepted into a competitive leadership program for federal employees and also received a promotion with his position at the National Operations Center over the summer. He has been training for the Spartan Race that will take place in the spring.
8. In October, Ryan was asked to assist with a vacancy in Lake Havasu City, AZ, so he is currently working there and is able to come home about every other weekend. It has been a little crazy around here, but we are making it work.
7. Austin is 9 and in third grade and is part of gifted and talented classroom this year. He loves his teacher and the challenge has been good for him. He has finally found kids he can connect with. His vision is starting to get a little fuzzy, so he wears glasses at school. Austin did baseball in the spring and fall, although the fall season was short lived due to him having problems with his heels. Team sports are not really of interest to him, he'd rather be riding his bike or swimming, so we probably won't sign him up again until he asks.
6. Amilia turned 4 this year and started preschool with the Foothills Parks and Rec District. She loves going to school and has wonderful teachers. She did swimming lessons over the summer and has become quite the little fish. She also loves doing arts and crafts.
5. Audrey will turn 2 right after Christmas. She is a spunky little smarty pants! She is just as independent as the other two, she keeps us on our toes but we can't get enough of her sweetness!
4. We enjoyed a beautiful Colorado summer. We enjoyed parks, museums, hiking and got a membership to the Denver Zoo that we've been able to use often.
3. We were able to visit Ryan's family in Las Vegas a few times and also made it up to Billings to see Randi's family. Austin was able to spend 2 weeks with his Grammie Morgan, so that was a treat for both of them!
2. Ryan and I completed all the paperwork and training required for the foster care adoption program. We are currently in the home study portion and should have that completed by January. We are excited at the possibility of welcoming another child into our family.
1. We are looking forward to Ryan coming home for Christmas and then we will spend New Year's in Las Vegas and then spend a week in Lake Havasu with him.
Wishing you all a season of joy and love!
Merry Christmas!
Randi, Ryan, Austin, Amilia, and Audrey
