What we did in 2009

So I've never done a Christmas Letter and I used to be so good at sending out cards. I actually do have a box of cards that I can use to send out. However, I've become lazy and haven't done it. So this year I am writing a New Year letter of what we accomplished last year. So if you don't care to read it, then you can move onto another of my blog entries instead.

Joe – He fixed the green car (Dodge intrepid) so now it works and Victoria can drive it to work. He went to Disneyland (and CA Adventure) for the first time for his and Victoria's birthdays and anniversary. He works in the Junior Nursery in the ward.

Victoria – She learned to make pumpkin desserts out of fresh (not canned) pumpkins. She went to Disneyland, CA Adventure and Magic Mountain this year. She also works in the nursery in the ward. She learned seasonal loan products (RVs, boats, etc) at work. She's been with USAA 2 years now and her 401k now is completely vested.

Adam – He received the Aaronic priesthood and was ordained a Deacon by his Papa. He serves as the second counselor in the Deacon's Quorum. He played softball for his school earlier this year (7^th grade.) He made the football team again for this school year (8^th) and made the basketball team (8th,) all that practicing with the scouts paid off. He went to camp Geronimo for the first time. He went to Magic Mountain to celebrate his entrance into teenager-hood. He got glasses. He got to play with the Ironwood marching band during halftime of an Ironwood Football game. He went to the temple for the first time with the youth. He got stitches earlier in the year when he collided with a fence at school and it cut his leg.

Joseph – He earned his Webelos and Arrow of light. He is in his 2^nd year of home schooling through AZ Virtual Academy. He is in 5^th grade. He started taking medication. He got glasses. He almost met a rattlesnake. He has recently started reading books and really enjoys them. He went to Day Camp during the summer.

Joshua – He turned 8 and had a fun Army party. He got baptized along with his best friend Aaron on the 4^th of July. He got glasses too. He earned his Bobcat (with help from Aaron's mom, too.) He is in 3rd grade and his teacher at school is one of the counselors in the Primary so he sees her almost every day. He loves his teacher. He got to go to Cub Scout Day Camp for the first time.

Sam – He had surgery. He spent his last year in nursery and will be joining the ranks of Sunbeams. He was potty-trained and had a big boy party. He turned three. He fell in love with Lydia (Aaron's baby sister.) He loves to talk and tell stories and his language has improved since we started blogging although he still can't pronounce eses (S.) He kissed a chick. He dislocated his elbow once when Joshua and he were playing.

I am sure there is more and find that as I blog more I'll have a better record for 2010. Happy 2010!!

Adam's Musical Talents

In fourth grade Adam decide he wanted to be in orchestra. That year he learned to play the violin. When we went to the music store to rent his violin the owner talked with him about how very intelligent people play the violin. Albert Einstein played the violin. He told Adam to not give it up and he will learn to appreciate its beauty. We listened as he practiced every day. The best way to describe the sweet music he played is that it is like listening to a cat fight.

The next year the school provided the violin so we didn't have to pay for the rental anymore. That was nice. Again he practiced and we attend his concerts and it didn't sound as much like a cat fight, but I was still waiting for it to sound like heaven. Both years Adam even braved playing at the church talent shows.

So sixth grade comes around and we moved to another school. This year they tell him there are too many violin players and ask if he'll play the cello instead. He has been playing for 2 years and he can't play anymore because too many children already play. I am not sure if they were return students or new to the instrument. He decides to play the cello and the school provides it free of charge. This year he also wants to be in band. He decides he wants to be like Brad Anderson and play the saxophone. Brad Anderson for those who don't know him is a young man (couple years older than Adam)from our old ward who could play the piano, organ, sax, well you name it he could play it (except for the violin, which he could probably play now.) Adam really admired Brad so he picked the sax. They already had 2 alto sax players so he settles for tenor. Now he has to trudge 2 very large instruments home on the bus. Luckily he didn't have band and orchestra on the same day, so he only had to carry one at a time. These are deep low sounding instruments so the sound of his practicing wasn't so horrific. At the end of the year, the school sends home a flyer asking parent's if they'd prefer band or orchestra (only) the next year as they are dropping the program and it will be an after school program.

For seventh grade we are able to use a variance to get him into another school. They only offer band and it is during school time as an elective-type class. Adam must give up his cello, but can continue to play the tenor sax. He didn't sign up in the beginning of the year so he only plays second semester.

It's now eighth grade and Adam has signed up for band. The alto sax wasn't available so he sticks with tenor. He practices every day and is excited to play. His band teacher is the marching band leader at Ironwood so the students get to join the marching band on September 18th at the IHS football game. They aren't going on the field, but get to learn songs and play during the game. This will be an exciting opportunity for him and will teach him what opportunities are available for him in high school if he has a passion to continue playing the saxophone. Or maybe he'll go to back to violin or cello. Who knows?