We were able to have our photos taken this year but discovered afterward that they won't be returned to us until December sometime. So...that creates a bit of a problem for the girl who has to send cards out early or they are on my counter until Valentine's Day. That's why you got a card with a beautiful summer photo we took at the Tulip Festival this past spring and this QR code....because the pictures made it just in time for us to share them digitally.Â
Blessings!
and with that....
Merry Christmas!!
​Seriously though, thanks for scanning the code and taking the time to be right here, right now. I hope your Christmas card is {or will be} hanging on my mantle. We're starting a new tradition this year: we're hanging onto Christmas cards we receive and then we're going to pull one out of the pile beginning in January and spend a week remembering the family who's card we pick in our prayers. We'd love to pray for you! (So text me if you don't do cards. We'll pray for you too! For reals.)
What a wonderful year it has been for our family. We are still homeschooling and enjoying the time we have together to make so many memories and learn so much. When I felt the tug to keep my babies home and live my life with them around me, I didn't have the capacity to realize how absolutely incredible it would be. Sure, there are hard moments, but being his wife, their mama, and the home maker brings me so much joy.
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Added bonus: Troy says the kids' teacher is pretty hot so that's a sweet perk.
​(Not sure if I should wink or shrug here...)
Annalee just turned eleven. She loves to bake and looks forward to the dinner prep rotation when she gets to choose and create our meals. She is a wonderful big sister and a lovely helper. She is in 5th grade, loves to read and enjoys science and learning the stories of days gone by. She soaked up every minute of vacation planning for our spring vacation and took all the pictures! She likes to write letters to her friends and really loves reading their responses. She's still singing and dancing with TaVaci which is her favorite of all the things she gets to do. She loves her bunnies and riding her bike. She has discovered her own interest in woodworking with her dad, sewing, and is excited to begin the program for Young Women in our church. She's been learning about a famous scientist to teach the rest of our family; she chose Marie Curie. She's a sweet friend to those around her and reminds us all that we are loved by her and by Heavenly Father. She's a delight!
Morgan will be nine really soon! She gets to celebrate her golden birthday this year (9 on the 9th) and had all of her friends over before Thanksgiving to celebrate with her. She is a sweetheart and keeps peace at home. She has a way of diffusing misunderstandings and helping everyone feel loved. She is excelling with drawing and loves math. She enjoys reading too. She was able to be baptized this past year and it is an experience she cherishes. She has a beautiful opera voice which she utilizes often when she bursts into song at the dinner table. She continues to work hard to strengthen her muscles. She is resilient and such a thoughtful friend to everyone around her. She leaves sweet notes for us and encourages us all to do hard things. When she gets money from selling her coloring books or doing extra chores, she's the first one to use it to buy things for her siblings and friends. She's a sweetheart!
Trenton is growing up to be the best little farmer and builder! He will find any valid or invalid reason or excuse to be outside. He doesn't mind the heat or the cold. He loves math and may just be a little walking calculator like his dad. He likes to read, but really prefers me to read to him because when he reads, he has to hold still. He built an entire "construction site" in the snow last year in our backyard and worked on it every day. He takes really great care of his sisters and his mama. He is saving his money for an excavator and is going places on his dirtbike. He's in 1st grade, likes doing school every day and has some amazing beatboxing skills which he employs with nearly every lesson. He is a sweet boy with solid opinions. He likes to keep his circle small and is such a good friend. He lives for hunting and fishing with his daddy. He is our favorite little boy in all the world!
Kate is the definitive exclamation point at the end of our family! She is our family manager and ensures everyone is where they are supposed to be and doing what they're supposed to be doing. She enjoys drawing, is creative, and has used more printer paper than the local print shop, I'm certain. She prefers markers over crayons but her siblings are convinced it's only because she likes to push the ends of their markers in so they won't work for them anymore. I'm of the opinion that they could be correct. She likes to tell us we are special and writes the cutest capitalized E's with as many arms and legs on her Es as she can fit. She adores babies but doesn't want anymore babies in her family because that special title belongs to her and she's not willing to share. Her favorite color is orange. She likes to do her own hair. When the hair ties get stuck, she just cuts them out. Simple. She is our bright and well-respected commander!
All four kids have had the opportunity to practice and perform with their TaVaci group. We are so grateful for Terri. Sometimes I get asked how I could be so pompous to believe I'm capable of educating my children in all the things they'll ever need. I usually laugh a little and assure them I don't know everything. I'm just confident in my role as their mom to find the best mentors and teachers as needs arise. Terri is one of those people and we are grateful for her. She teaches the kids so much about performing, music, auditions, and teamwork. Morgan totally surprised us and auditioned for a solo this year! It was awesome!
As for Troy and me, we have enjoyed spending more time together and remembering how much we like each other! We've been married for a few years now and have had some really wild experiences. We got to celebrate 3 years in our house this year (a record!), we grew a beautiful garden, bought a little John Deere tractor, and he started working a bit at the local hospital in addition to his full-time director job. He is really loving his work. I am enjoying my work as well here at home.
We were able to take a family trip in May to southern Utah, Las Vegas, Arizona, a little bit of California, and SLC to use up a city pass with leftover fun from last fall. We have had the best time! We've made good use of Annalee's 4th grade park pass and were able to visit Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Craters of the Moon, and Zion.
We got to ride the train into Grand Canyon, spend a night, explore, and then ride the train back out. The Grand Canyon was cold and we were surprised! We wore our jackets almost the entire time we were there. It was incredible to see; our first wonder of the world. All four kids earned Junior Ranger badges from every national park we've visited which has been so good for all of us. On our way to southern Utah, we stopped at the Logan Temple to snap a photo of us on the lawn where we took some of our photos on our wedding day. What fun to reflect on that special day with our lovies!
Hoover Dam was fun to see. Troy's mom was able to travel with us so she and Troy and the big kids took a stroll across the bridge. Kate and I hung back. ;) Thanksgiving Point was fabulous too! The park has incredible statues depicting the Savior's life. We all loved it, but Annalee asked for my phone and carefully snapped photos of each and every scene. They are stunning and so expertly crafted. Death Valley was so interesting and thankfully, it wasn't too terribly hot while we were there.
​​We got to swim and play in lots of warm water, the resort we stayed at in Vegas had fun crafts (tie dye shirts for the kids!), we caught the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point just in time, and we got to explore children's museums, natural history museums, and the Saratoga Springs temple open house. It was a really incredible family vacation and we feel so blessed to have had the opportunity!
Troy and I were able to travel to Washington, DC in July for a conference he was attending for work. I hopped on the shuttle bus and explored by myself while he attended all of the classes. Then when he finished, we went exploring together. What a dream come true! Seeing so many of our nation's historic buildings, memorials, and monuments was inspiring. The Lincoln Memorial was definitely a favorite for me, but truly, I loved them all. Finding my uncle on the Vietnam Wall was a tender moment for me. As for the museums, The Archives took the cake! I went through security and set out to find the Magna Carta, The Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, and The Constitution. There was one guard who stood watch over the Hope Diamond and four guards who watched over those special documents. My heart leapt to see them! I felt deep admiration and immense gratitude for those who have sought after and fought to protect freedom. Arlington National Cemetery was humbling and pristine. There really aren't words to describe the feeling there. We arrived to see the changing of the guard and they were also doing a wreath ceremony for a man who fought in the Navy with his six brothers. His family was sweet and we were delighted to witness the ceremony in their honor and then visit with them. You can see their story here. What a family legacy!
The Supreme Court, the Capitol building, Library of Congress, Post Office Museum, George Washington's estate (Mount Vernon)...amazing!
So many wonderful experiences and I'm forever grateful we got to experience it together. ​I quite like this guy!
Living here has put us close to some cousins! Troy has been able to connect with his cousin Sam, his cute wife and their sweet family. We enjoy spending time with them!
My cousin, Jeff, and his cute wife, Tracy, invited and encouraged me to go and float the river with them this year. If you know me, you know that's a big deal. But Jeff and Troy promised they'd keep us safe and they did. We visited Frog Island, caught frogs, broke a flip flop and continued on floating. It was a blast! It's been such a blessing to live close. We love them so much!
It's been a year for us unlike many others.
We have entered into a new season in so many aspects of life, but some things have stayed exactly the same. We aren't in pregnancy, newborn, breastfeeding, or diapers anymore. It's strange and yet, it's beautiful!
 A shining highlight of my year was spending time with my big brother, his sweet wife, and their children! I don't remember ever meeting him, but I've been told he and I met when I was a baby. We have known about each other so this wasn't that kind of surprise. It was, however, a tremendous gift and an answer to many prayers for me.
In addition to him, I gained a sister, two nephews AND a niece to love! How amazing is that!?
I feel so blessed. Some experiences just don't have words to even begin to describe them. This evening was one of those for me. A cherished memory. An experience to remember fondly for the rest of my life.
A tender reminder that family is everything.
Absolutely everything.
God is so good. He is, indeed, a God of miracles.
We hope at this Christmas time and always, that you feel his great love for you.
May Heaven's richest blessings be yours today and always,
The Coulsons