Merry Christmas
Joshy is getting heart-breakingly old and turned 3 last July. Fortunately, he is making these toddler years very fun and entertaining. He senses exactly when he needs to soften his dictatorial demands with his cherub charm that completely wins us over. He has a great imagination and loves to play with action figures. He named his favorite guy “Jenter”. He lost him and was so sad, but the kids found it, put it on the porch, rang the doorbell and ran. Josh opened the door, saw his long lost little action figure lying on the porch and in the most delighted voice squealed, “Jenter came home!!!!” We love Jenter, but mostly we love Joshua.
Benny is 6, and losing teeth by the second. He's always had a smile that embodies everything adorable, warm, cozy and sunny, but you add some big old gaps and it does not get cuter. Fortunately, he still mixes up some words like when he drank a slushy and yelled out, “Frain breeze!”. Ben is a first grader and is loving school. He also played soccer and basketball this year. He is a great athlete, and hands-down the most enthusiastic guy on the field or court. At the ripe old age of 6, he's definitely our most self-sufficient child. He also gets sick the most, I often wonder if that's just so I have a chance to take care of him sometimes. ;) We love Benjamin.
Nate is 9 and in 4th grade. He has the best teacher in the school and he loves her. In the last year he has suddenly developed opinions about his hair and clothes. He eats more than all of us combined and is still always hungry. He loves to tease, but his smile and sense of humor make him irresistible and hilarious when he chooses to use his powers for good instead of evil ;). Nate is your typical rough and tumble boy, but has a soft spot for little kids (especially Josh) and animals. He loves all things sports especially basketball, LeBron James and football. He played flag football this year and loved it. We love Nathan.
Abby will be 12 in January and is loving her last year in elementary school. She is a great friend and is so blessed to have such fun, quirky, inclusive girls around her. Abby was in our city's production of “Hello Dolly” last summer and loved it. She also played soccer and still takes ballet and piano. She is super responsible and really kind of keeps things going around here. She does also know how to let loose though and keeps us very entertained. Abby isn't the least bit shy about telling us who her current crush is and all the ways he is so dreamy. The position of “Abby's current crush” tends to have a high turn-over rate. We love Abigail.
Anna is 14 and in her last year of junior high. A.maz.ing. She is pretty slammed with a heavy school load and has spent many hours playing with Josh, Ben, neighbor kids, stray cats, or anyone else she can find to avoid doing her homework ;). She's still playing and loving soccer with a great team. She is a delightful combination of fun-loving and free spirited with the biggest conscience known to man. “How Do You Solve a Problem like Anna Maria” from The Sound of Music describes her perfectly (how do you catch a cloud and pin it down?). We are so grateful to have such a sweet, cheerful 14 year old who still likes us most of the time. We love Anna.
Last summer we got around to cutting ties with Josh's binkies. We chose the sending-them-to-the-moon-via-balloons method. I anxiously anticipated trauma and drama on his part as we tied his beloved binkies to the balloons. I was taken by complete surprise when I found myself choking down sobs as those stupid balloons so peacefully and smugly drifted away with the last bit of babyhood in our family. Aside from those occasional moments, I am really enjoying this phase of life. I love still having young ones, but am also loving watching the big kids come into their own. Life is good.
They say golf is great for networking. I have come to realize just how true that is. Brennan continues to make more and more contacts for more and more golf. He also manages to turn many of those contacts into actual business, but mostly more golf ;). Brennan was recently released from working with the 12-13 year old boys in our ward. Several of these cute boys were literally in tears when they found out he wouldn't be their leader anymore. He was too. I love that about him -- that he has so much in common with 12-13 year old boys. Just kidding, I love his ability to connect with people and set them at ease. We feel very blessed to be at the top of the list of people he loves. We love Brennan.
Merry Christmas! We devour your letters, cards and pictures. We are so grateful for each of you and for this time of year to reflect on the gift of our Savior. May His peace and love fill each of our homes throughout this new year!
Love, The Wrights
