December

I thought since the year is coming to an end and things are probably going to get a little more crazy with the holiday and SNOW, I would do a “quick” post to update everyone. I’ll start with Joel and I. We are fine. Nothing new. Thanks for caring. Nathan is still very much a chatter-box. He loves to ask, ask, ask. And if you don’t give him a good enough answer, well, he will just have to ask you again! We love that he is curious and all, but sometimes we have to say enough is enough Nathan! Anyway, he is constantly baffling us with what he knows and what he understands. He is still really into superheroes. Superman, Batman, Ninja Turtle, Transformers, you name it, he loves it. He also is enjoying having a little brother. Ryan and he are really good buddies, they have their squabbles, but mostly they play very well together. They have definitely figured out how to get into trouble together. Nathan is pushing right now for Ryan to sleep in his room. We are trying to postpone that, but know that the day is coming soon. Nathan really likes his school, he has a friend (Jamison) there who also loves superheroes so they hit it off right away. He does still try and play sick once or twice a week, but we can convince him to get up and go if he knows Jamison will be there. Ryan is still struggling with talking. We are going to have some people evaluate him today and make sure he is not having some problem that we can help him with. Joel and I really think he is just a quiet boy and that he will start jabbering any day now, but we figure it is better to have some evaluations done just to make sure. It is a free service, so what the heck. Ryan otherwise is doing really well. He likes to watch Baby Einstein movies and follow Nathan around. He almost always has a book or DVD case (he likes the pictures) in his hands and really likes people to sit and look at books with him. He seems to be a little more quiet and calm than Nathan, but I am sure when he is three we will be singing a different tune. Some family news. We were so excited to welcome little Ethan Christopher Smith on Nov 24. Congrats to Jeremy and Suzy, we are so happy for you! Suzy likes to tease us about getting “baby fever”, NO WAY!! A new little nephew close by will be just fine. I do want to put one little message in here about family. With all of the tragedy we have had this week in our “home town” this is a good time to step back and remember what makes us happy. Family, friends, home and Heavenly Father. We are truly a people chosen to be on Earth at this time, to endure the violence and tragedy, and we will emerge on the other side with a greater understanding of our purpose and of Heavenly Father’s gift of eternal life. Let us be so grateful for the safety of an eternal family and bless us to love those we are with with all our hearts and minds. Have a Merry Christmas and please stay safe.