Christmas letter 08

So I have seen many of my friends do this and I am just not on the ball to get one out to everyone! So here it goes........

Ahhh, 2008! Can't believe it's almost over. Time surely flies as you get older. Jake and I both celebrated the big 3-0 this year and it actually didn't hurt! We both are looking forward to our 30's and watching our kids grow. We went to Arizona in February to get out of the Utah weather, and was able to visit my family and just enjoy the sun! Then we were especially blessed to fly to Hawaii, where we have a timeshare in beautiful Kauai! We spent 2 magically weeks there with my family, and I actually got teary eyed when we were leaving. It feels like home there for some reason. Then over Thanksgiving, we went to California for a week with Jake's family, and had a blast at Disneyland and wonderful San Diego.  So we have taken some fun family trips to say the least, which hopefully we will be able to continue that tradition on in 2009!

With the struggling economy, Jake has slowed down home building for a while and has ventured into some other areas. He is working with some good friends of ours, in building a rehabilitation business for people struggling with addiction. This hits close to home for us and we have felt inspired to move forward with it. There are so many people struggling out there and we feel blessed to be able to try and help them. He is teaching elder's quorum and also is the ward sports director. He has gone through ups and downs this past year, but he is so grateful for his friends and family that have been so great to him! 

I am loving my home in Daybreak Utah.! I could live here FOREVER! We live about 500 yards from the new temple and it has been awesome to watch the building process. It will most likely open in the Springtime. I have really enjoyed my little boys and just being a mother and wife. I feel so blessed to have my little family. With any spare time, I try to keep in shape, (not that it's working the way I want it to:) , and working on interior design and training pilates.  I love teaching the 12 year olds in my ward and being in Primary.   

Zachary is in Kindergarten and doing great. He loves making friends and being social, but is also getting straight A's, with the exception of a B in handwriting.  No surprise there! I hope he will inherit the geniusness of his two grandfathers! He loves sports, and being on the go. I have to constantly keep an eye on him, for he is everywhere! But he is heading towards 6 and hopefully going to be able to channel that energy to something wonderful!  He is a joy and is always making us laugh.

Brady. Well, he is an angel. He is a lover and a tender heart. We LOVE HIM! He is loved by everyone who meets him. He, too is social. But in a different way than Zach. I feel blessed that he chose me and Jake to be his parents. Of course, he is on the go, and into everything, but it is the age. He has struggled with putting on weight in the past, but with the help of coconut milk, he is packing it on fine now. 

We are so grateful to have you all in our life. What would we do without our unfailing family, and true and devoted friends. We are mostly grateful for our Savior. He is the reason for everything good in our life. Thank heavens for our testimony of Him! We hope and pray that you are all happy and healthy and having a wonderful holiday season! Merry Merry Christmas!

Love~

Jake, Emily, Zachary and Brady