I have struggled putting a post together for many months.  Our camera has been broken.  I should blog about birthdays (my kids keep growing) I should blog about great teachers and fabulous schools my children attend, I should blog about all the wonderful tender mercies of a very wonderful father in Heaven who loves our little family.  But I haven't so here we go.   Our summer travels......

First, I went to Arizona with Jacob, Rachel and Jarom.  WE had a delightful time with Richard and Miriam and kiddos.  I worked hard on a personal goal and we all enjoyed our time there.  I found some great protein powder that really helped me have energy and that was a huge blessing.  We were there for the great McGuire's baptism.  What  a great day.  He is a sweet little boy with very great talents.    My children were great companions and Rachel was missing Derrek and Shelby so it was time to come home.

We helped out with a swim meet for the weekend and then took off to Disneyland.  We loved the magic of the place.  The lines were long but we were together and very blessed with being reimbursed the difference between a military discount and regular ticket prices.  Which is a huge blessing to our family.  Here are some pictures from our adventure....

The Christmas Letter (late and not sending)

Christmas 2012.

Our family has had a really great year.  We have all grown in many ways  (some us out and not up but really... we won't talk about that).

Jarom (20 Months)Adorable, funny and into everything.  He truly is such a great addition to our little family.  He loves to tease and be in the middle of everything going on in our house.  He runs, jumps, throws, and just about does normal 20 month stuff.  WE love his funny happy attitude.  His dimples and smile get him out of trouble often.  His favorite words are RACHEL  said with just the right inflection, more milk, cookie, doggie (no we do not have one), and go.  We love watching him grow and develop.

Rachel (5)  Our Kindergartener.  Rachel is still full of spice spunk and energy.  She runs from sun up to sun down and sometimes is up earlier than the sun.  She loves reading, animals, friends, and bossing Jarom around.  She is such a piece of sunshine and happiness.  She dances, laughs, cries and jokes with wild abandon.  She loves primary, school and home.  We adore her spunk and happiness.  Her name was pulled out of the hat (by one of my students) and she was the Jr. Peach Queen

R. Jacob (12)  I know sit down now. He is in the 6th grade. I cannot believe he is 12.  Where did the time go.  He is learning the cello and we love to hear him practice.  He is picking it up nicely and loves to listen to classical music as much as he loves to play it.  He got the aaronic priesthood in August right before Grandma and Grandpa left and has been a very thorough and thoughtful deacon.  He got to participate in the temple celebration by only a few days as his birthday was right on the cutoffs for practices.  He loved playing football again this year playing on the offensive line.  He also loves his little brother and is a great sibling to everyone.  Yes he is taller than his mother and no we do not need to talk about it.    He went from a size 6 shoe to a 10 in six months and so our clothes budget and food shopping has changed a bit.  We love his teasing and joyful help with everyone and everything.

Shelby Esther (14)  Really please make time stop....  Our beautiful girl is so wonderful.  She is in the 9th grade this year and is an amazing student.  She loves Seminary and is working hard to memorize scriptures and keep all of us on our spiritual toes.  She is swimming on the high school swim team and loves to practice and go to the meets.  We are proud of her dedication and efforts there.  She also is the vice- president of the Jr. Honor Society and has maintained a 4.0 for the past two years.  She is beautiful, brilliant and fun to be around.  I am blessed to be her mother.  She was able to participate in the temple celebration also.  It is fun to have her friends at our home and to enjoy each of them.

Derrek the great husband and father in our home.  He is still working at ICON in Logan and enjoys the people he works with.  He is the first counselor in the Young Men's presidency at church and works with the 14 year olds.  He loves the boys and enjoys being with them.  He hiked to King's Peak again this year enjoying a week and 50 miles with the boys.  We full filled one of his dreams of taking his family to the Redwoods forest this year.  Absolutely amazing and I am wondering why I have put that vacation off for 16 years.

Kappy- I  make great efforts to keep up with our family.  They are talented and love to be involved in life.  I am still teaching first grade with the Dual Immersion program.  I love that each child in my class has the opportunity to be bilingual   What a blessing. I am in the Primary Presidency and work with the scouts.  I love watching my children grow.  My heart flutters a bit when I think of the next few years in our home.  I love to be the mom.

Our family has enjoyed our vacations and time together. The temple being dedicated in our little town was wonderful.  We love attending.  It is so quick and easy to get there.    We miss Grandpa and Grandma Andrus but know they are on a mission and doing what they are supposed to do.  We love our extended family and enjoy them coming to our home to be here..   Have a great new year.  We are very thrilled to see what 2013 brings our way.    Derrek and Kappy