It's the most WONDERFUL time of the year :)

Merry Christmas, letter time!

2011 was a very full year of ups and downs and all arounds.

Zackary was born technically last December but still was our first year with him :) He has been nothing but a joy, one of the happiest babies ever! So snuggly and lovey and happy all the time. We didn't know he knew how to cry until he started teething this summer :) He is a our big man, been walking since October and getting into everything. He loves his big sister and brother so much and loves to do what they are doing. He turns one on the 9th and we are having a Mickey Mouse Club House party for him.

Ryken is a big preschooler this year. It was hard goings at first, didn't want mommy to leave but we developed a hug system ( he choose how many he needs before I leave )and he has been great since. Comes home singing songs and talks so much and is so fun and smart. We can't wait to start sports this springs since he will be turning 4 and can sign up. He honestly never stops running around and playing and doing things. Some of his funny quotes are from the following situations. He was running around in our apartment and I was honestly fed up, so I said "PLEASE.STOP.RUNNING.AROUND!" and he said "can we jump around?" and I said, "what?" and he said "you know, jump around" as he preceded to demonstrate by jumping in a cirlce... the monkey. Another time Steve was heading out to rake leaves and Ryken headed after him. I said "you have to stay inside, it is too cold" and he said "but I am daddy's mini-me" and I said "so?" and he said "I am his mini-me so I can go wherever he goes!" man, that kid is hilarious :)

Jasmin is in kindergarten! Ah! Mommy almost died having to drop her off. She is LOVING it. Loves her teacher, loved her first field trip on a real school bus, loves learning and doing centers and going to the library and being able to read books by herself. She made it on the Hot Shot team this year at her dance studio, so the team above last years team and is truly loving that this year. She loves being a big sister, sometimes too much ;) Really, you couldn't ask for a better helper and she loves playing with her brothers. In April we found out she is blind in one eye, apparently has been since birth, so still figuring out a diagnosis, two drs gave us two different reasons why so we plan to go to one if not two more specialists and see what they say. She blows our mind that even with that set back she just thrives in life.

This year was rather full for us as a family. Most of it has been the past few months. We sold our home in Provo faster than we thought we would and so had to hurry and find somewhere to live so ended up in a 900 sq ft apartment in orem. Coming from a 1300 sq ft home with garage and backyard was insane, half our stuff was sent to each of our parents to help store while we crammed 5 people into 2 rooms in the apartment. We thought we were going to build a home but couldn't find a lot in our price range where we wanted to live, so decided to look for a home to buy and found a foreclosure in Orem that fit the bill. We found it October 26 and got the keys to it Nov 23. It was built the same year we were married, 2005, so that made it extra fun and special :D

We are excited for this next adventure in our lives and planting some roots. Our ward was amazingly welcoming and friendly so excited to make new friendships there. Fingers crossed on no crazy callings ;)

We have so much to be thankful for this year, and couldn't be happier. We hope that this letter finds you and your loved ones in the same boat. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and the happiest of New Years :) We love you!

~SCJRZ