Christmas Card! (blog style)

To all our friends and family:

Merry Christmas! And best wishes for a wonderful new year! As we take time to reflect on 2009, we count our blessings. Our little family has been well looked out for and our prayers have been answered. Of course not always in the way we would think, or at the exact moment when we would like it, but answered none-the-less. We have so much to be thankful for.

Our Maverick turned 3 this year, and much to his dismay we have been potty training ever since. His calm, well-tempered nature has suddenly become a nuisance… When asked “why didn’t you get it in the potty?” the reply is often, “I just didn’t want to…” He loves to play and having to leave play-time to go potty is simply a big hassle for him. In recent days we have FINALLY seen some progress. He will be the only Sunbeam not potty trained, I am sure. (sigh) That being said, he is such a sweet, obedient, playful, busy boy. He loves trucks, trains, planes, dogs, being outside, getting dirty, etc... And also playing with dolls, dress-ups, and playing house. HaHa! He really enjoys helping and works very hard. We love his big smiles and silly laugh.

Slater recently turned 1, and is suddenly into everything! He is not walking yet, but he crawls everywhere he needs to go, including up our many stairs. He says “uh-ah” and shakes his head NO all day long. He is usually right in knowing that he shouldn’t be doing what he is doing. He recently got his 2 bottom teeth and 2 top teeth that make his smile so cute and funny. He copies anything his big brother is doing. He loves pushing cars and trucks around, playing catch, being outside and watching cars go by. He has a huge appetite and the physique to show for it. We love his cuddles and silly laugh that is just like Mav’s. We can tell he is a little tease and a bit mischievous, but he is such a sweetheart!

Brian is super busy working on his joint MBA/MHA. He will graduate in March 2011. That can’t come soon enough… One of the greatest blessings of the year came in March when Bri landed a great job as the Marketing Manager at a local healthcare clinic. He is loving it and doing a REALLY wonderful job. He is such a hard worker. He is also such a great Daddy! His boys adore him, and Britt loves his patience with them at the end of a long day. He is still playing soccer and can often be found at the gym trying to gain weight. (How would that be?) he is also looking forward to a great ski season.

Brittany can also be found exercising… all day long, chasing Slater all over the house, cleaning up after Slater’s meals which he insists on feeding to himself, chasing Maverick to the bathroom every hour, running Mav’s soiled clothes to the washer on a regular basis, pushing around 60 lbs of kid(s) in the double stroller, playing with two busy boys, laundry, bathroom scrubbing, organizing, cooking, etc, etc… She has recently rekindled her crocheting talent, and loves baking, believing both activities to be VERY therapeutic after a long day. She loves being a mother.

Also this year we survived the “Swine Flu”! We celebrated 5 wonderful years of marriage, and took a trip to Washington D.C. We sold our condo in October and moved in with Bri’s parents for about 2 months. (Thank you. Thank you!) Then, about a week ago, we bought and moved into our new home just minutes away from both our parents. We are happy to be getting settled in a “real” house with a yard, garage, and everything in a really great area just in time for Christmas. We count our blessings! We are so grateful to family and friends for all the help and support. We love this time of the year, and are so grateful for our knowledge and testimonies of the Savior. Love you all! And we wish you a very happy holiday season!!!

Love,
Bri, Britt, Mav and Slater