Merry Christmas 2010

This year has once again brought many fun and exciting adventures for our family.  Here are just a few of the highlights for 2010.
Richard turned 12 in February and received the priesthood.  I am a proud mama every Sunday when I see him dressed in his suit passing the sacrament.  I need to try and remember that during the week when I’m not so proud!  He is a 7th grader at Lakeridge Jr. High and loves the freedom it brings.  I have decided that his academics are his business and he is in charge of making sure his homework is done.  It has been one of the hardest things I have ever done.  Richard played Lacrosse during the summer, Football in the fall, and now he is wrestling.  His football team took the championship of their division and never lost a game.  He had a great set of coaches including Merrill as the head coach.
Riley turned 10 in June and realized the dream of his life when he and Richard bought a dog together they named Cali.  She was strictly an outside dog and I was assured when we got her that she could stay outside all year long.  Then it turned cold and the shivering began.  She now sleeps with Riley every night curled around his feet.  Riley is in 5th grade at Noah Webster Academy and loves his teacher Mrs. Roden.  Riley also played Lacrosse and Flag Football.  He also had great coaches including Merrill as his Lacrosse coach.  His Lacrosse team only lost one game and his football team won every game.
Lindsay turned 8 in February and was baptized in April.  She is the busiest girl I know.  She is on an all star competition cheerleading squad who won the national championship title in February.  She is also on a company dance team, and takes piano lessons.  All this in addition to all of her homework every night makes me re-think everything she is involved in.  Merrill thinks we should put her on a ski team, but I don’t know where we would find the time.  She loves every snowstorm we receive because she knows it means skiing at Park City will be coming soon.  Lindsay is in 3rd grade at Noah Webster Academy and is an absolute social butterfly.
Merrill is working at Aquaveo in Provo taking care of their computer system.  He is currently serving as a Gospel Doctrine teacher in our ward…a calling he loves.  I can’t think of anything that I would rather do less.  Merrill has also written a few children’s books that are really great.  He is a great writer, teacher, coach, father and husband and we are lucky to have him take care of us.
I am living the retirement program Merrill has been selling me all of these years…and it is GREAT!  For the first time in my life, I LIVE for Monday…when everyone goes to work and school.  I truly love my family, but it’s nice to have a break.  I am serving in our ward with the Young Women as the Mia Maid advisor and I love it.
As we look forward to a New Year we are excited to face the challenges that will surely come.  We feel so blessed to live near family and friends and to be able to call such a beautiful area home.  We love you all so much.
Merrill, Andrea, Richard, Riley, Lindsay and Cali