This year I have had to simplify some things. With a new baby in our home (not to mention two almost-six-year olds), I just don't have enough time or energy to do all the Christmas-y things I want to this year. So I decided that anything that didn't help create Christmas memories for my kids, or teach them about the true meaning of Christmas, was out this year. I didn't bake a variety of goodies to take to my friends and neighbors (store-bought gifts for them this year), I didn't put up all my Christmas decorations (don't worry-the house still looks very festive), and I'm not printing and mailing Christmas cards this year (consider this your Christmas card!)
I had to remind myself that Christmas will come again next year, but my tiny baby is already not so tiny, and I'd rather spend my time snuggling with him and getting excited about each sound he makes, and each smile he gives me, than worrying about some of the less important details of this Christmas season.
But, if I had sent out a Christmas letter, this is what it would have looked like:
(click on the links for more info about each event)
This year has been a wonderful one!
In January, Bart started a new job. He was sad to say good-bye to his job working as an Otolaryngology PA, but also excited to start working in a family practice clinic, where 90% of his patients are Spanish-speaking. He is loving being able to use his Spanish, work in family medicine, and he especially loves his pediatric patients. I love that he no longer takes call, and only works until noon on Fridays!
After nearly two years of trying, March brought us the news that we were finally expecting baby #3! We couldn't have been more excited! Soon followed the fatigue and morning/all-day sickness, but let me tell you that it is way easier to be pregnant with one baby than with two, and I really enjoyed being pregnant. Luckily I was starting to feel better by the time Kade and Ky got out of school for the summer, so I had enough energy to keep up with them!
Kade and Ky were on their first sports team this spring. They played soccer and had a great time. It's so fun watching 5 year-olds play soccer! They played so hard and had such a good attitude. They haven't decided if they want to play soccer again, so we'll have to see what this spring brings.
In May, Bart had a PA conference in Las Vegas, so I decided to tag along so we could have one last getaway before the baby came. We ate lots of yummy food, saw a Cirque du Soleil show, and were amazed at the oddity that is the Las Vegas strip! It was a great trip and will hopefully hold us over until we are able to get away just the two of us again some day!
In August we all went to Iowa on vacation. We were able to see lots of Bart's extended family and it was nice to be able to reconnect with them. We spent one day at Adventureland, playing and the water park and going on lots of rides. We ended our trip by spending a day at the Iowa State Fair, where Kade and Ky won a ribbon in the Most Alike 5 year old category at the Twins, Triplets and More contest.
In September, Kade and Ky started Kindergarten! It's all-day here, and was a huge adjustment for them and for me. I suddenly had 7 hours to myself! I filled my days working on projects to decorate the nursery, and tried to rest my ever-expanding body. After about a month Ky and Kade decided that they like school, and they are really excelling. They even meet with the gifted and talent teacher for reading once a week. Now they love to go to school and have made lots of friends there.
Perhaps my favorite single day of the year was October 28th, when baby Krew was born! He has been such a sweet addition to our family and we are all in love with him! Kade and Ky are such good brothers and help me with the baby so much. Krew is a really good baby, and usually only cries when he's hungry or has a burp stuck (he's a very spit-upy baby!). He's growing way too fast, which makes me sad, but this time around I know that there are so many fun stages ahead, that it's okay to let him grow up!
This year we feel that we have so much to be thankful for! Our Heavenly Father has watched over us and taken care of us, and it's nice to be able to take some time this Christmas Season to think about Him and the ultimate gift He gave us, the birth of His Son, Jesus Christ. May the true spirit of Christmas be with you and yours this holiday season!
Love,
Bart, Ashli, Ky, Kade, and Krew
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