Christmas 2016 letter

Christmas 2016 what a year!

Jeremy is back playing sports. He participated in the last 3 games of basketball; then went on the run the mile and 800m in track as a freshman.  He just completed his first full season of football playing on the JV team as a sophomore.

Scouts is all in the family again. Chris is still the varsity leader. Jennifer was released from ­Young Women’s after 3 ½ years and is now the assistant cub master again (and ward chorister for sacrament meeting in church). Jeremy has turned in his papers for his Eagle Scout rank. Jeremy did a book drive for an assisted living center. He collected over 500 books and he also built two book shelves which were filled with the donations. Cameron was finally awarded his Tenderfoot rank.

Cameron broke a bone. Actually it was only a chip on one of the small ones in his wrist, but he had to wear a splint for a few weeks during basketball season. He even played with it on.

Chris promoted. For a few months, Chris worked as the weekend night manager at White River. But graveyard shifts are hard on a body. He has since gone back to his former position and he is much happier.

Tyler graduated from high school and headed off to college. He is attending Snow College in Ephraim. He excelled in track and field in the shot put and discus. He earned the most improved award – he participated in nearly every event during his 4 year career. He finally came into his own and wished he had one more season.  Perhaps he’ll join a college team one day. He’s become a social butterfly and gaining confidence and he even has a girlfriend. It’s awesome.

Mini vacations. A quick trip to Rocky Mountain National Park, driving through Wyoming and Colorado. Favorite spot for the boys on that trip was going through the Historic Wyoming State Penitentiary; it’s a creepy place.  We visited Goblin Valley, St. George and Zions and drove the Nebo Loop in a thunderstorm.

Jennifer is officially the shortest in the family. Cameron outgrew mom this fall. The boys remind her all the time that she is short!

Cameron is a fantastic discus thrower. He’s taking after big brother Tyler. He won every competition he went to throwing over 70 feet. He also participated in the NFL punt-kick-pass contest in Nephi. He won that too and moved on to the sectionals in Tremonton.      

Derek is back to school. He has taken a few classes at Salt Lake Community in aviation. It seems that is what he wants to be when he grows ­up. He has a great job at Sizzling Platter in their payroll department. He stays active playing ultimate Frisbee and going to the gym. He’s still a diehard University of Utah fan. AND he found an apartment  right before Thanksgiving.

Milestone birthdays. Chris 45, Derek 21 legally an adult, Tyler 18 also considered an adult, Jeremy 16 he almost has his license, and Cameron 13 he’s a moody teenager.  Only two kids at home now. It’s so weird.

Our only family picture: Feb 2016.

The newsletter version is much cooler and has pictures.