Happy New Year!

Jury duty, illness and a broken computer have all delayed our letter this year. Consequently, our Christmas greetings have become wishes for a Happy New Year!

The past year brought lots of first time experiences for members of our family:

Jim and Janene toured Valparaiso and Vina del Mar in Chile until the bus got in a traffic accident. We explored Buenos Aires and saw our first tango performance. We paddled inflatable kayaks to the base of the Thousand Springs waterfalls in Idaho. We rode bicycles for 2-1/2 miles up the rugged Rattlesnake Creek Road. We had Thanksgiving dinner in New York City at a French restaurant in Harlem. We rode bicycles through Central Park. We witnessed the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade from a block away.

Big Brother Jim had lots of adventures with Little Brother, Jordan. Jim got a real vacation on the week-long backpacking/fishing trip with the 16 and 17 year old young men from church. He worked in his garden from February to November. His commute to HP became shorter as he started working from our basement.

For Janene, the technique for skiing without falling down the mountain finally clicked. She rode a double-decker tour bus, a funicular railway and a cable car in Santiago, Chile, and afterwards got lost. A thief absconded with the $8 Walmart necklace off her neck in Buenos Aires. She tried her hand at rappelling at the church Girl's Camp where she served as a leader.

Elly took a part-time job as a client services administrator and found several opportunities to do what she loves most, write. Her husband, Brian, has a new job as regional sales manager with a company that supplies CO2 to the beverage industry. He travels more than ever before.

Nathan (10) and Matthew (7) had some first time adventures with Grandpa. They skied a difficult Black Diamond run. They learned how to build a fire. Nathan paddled an inflatable kayak down the Boise River all by himself. Matthew rode a 14 mile bicycle trip. Both boys experienced the Western Idaho State Fair with Grandma.

Maggie (4) played soccer, experienced preschool and didn't hesitate to try the jump on the sledding hill. Becca (20 months) started talking and rarely stops. She fearlessly slid head first on her belly like a penguin down a 20 foot snow-covered hill.

Tori has been house-hunting and learning how to parent a two year old. Her husband, Ryan, graduated from dental school and started working for two dental offices not far from Orlando, Florida.

Owen (2) learned the ABC song which he sings constantly, discovered that snow is COLD and experienced downhill sledding.

Jacob graduated from BYU with a degree in Industrial Design. He traveled through Florida, Germany and Austria last spring. He landed a job last summer in New York City at a prestigious design firm. He loves his big city life!

Sariah had lots of first-time experiences on her mission in Uruguay. She returned home in August in time to start studying Dietetics at BYU. She's been training to run a marathon. She was elected treasurer of her Student Dietetics Association.

Cami decided to major in English at BYU. Besides going to school full time, she works 20 hours per week at the bookstore. She went on a 30 mile bicycle ride with her Dad and brother, Jacob. Cami spent the summer volunteering in the gift shop at the local art museum.

We're grateful for the many new opportunities experienced and for the abundant blessings we have received this past year. We are thankful for a Heavenly Father who loves us, knows us and guides us. As we put our trust in Him, we have great hope for the coming year. We pray that your lives will be blessed with many great "firsts" in the new year ahead.