2013 In Review

Just in case anyone who received our Christmas card really wanted to take the time to check out our blog, I guess I better actually post something here. 2013 has been an eventful year…here are some of the highlights:

Geoff:

• Called to be Stake President (volunteer clergy position meaning he presides over about 3,000 people in the LDS church here in Visalia) in February. This has been a great opportunity for him to serve and learn and figure out how to juggle his additional responsibilities of father and husband, along with his day job. This was a SHOCK to all of us. :-)
• Found his birth mother in April and actually met her and her husband in June when they came to visit California. They are wonderful!
• Coached Carson's U6 soccer team to 1st place (and learned a lot of patience)
• Continues working at Valley Pacific Petroleum Services as the Marketing Manager

Kolby:

• Baseball team took 2nd place. Played 3rd base and did awesome
• Survived flying without parents (he and Eliza went together) to Spokane, WA to stay with Grandma and Grandpa Downen in Sandpoint, ID
• Had a great football season and is now starting basketball season (mom is his assistant coach)
• Finished 3rd grade and started 4th grade - awesome student whom his teacher and friends rave about. The other day when I was volunteering in the classroom the girls were telling me how funny he is and how lucky I am to have him as my son. (uh oh!)
• Great pianist
• Achieved Bear Rank in Cub Scouts
• Planning his 10th birthday party - trip to the snow with friends
• LOVES trampoline basketball and must be active constantly
• is the BEST son in the world (and is learning how to hack into my computer)

Eliza:

• Amazing pianist
• Got baptized a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on her 8th birthday in San Diego with cousin Nolan. So proud of her!
• Awesome gymnast and soccer player - she was doing both but it got a little much during soccer season so we put gymnastics on hold. Loved seeing and now am missing her cartwheeling all through the house
• Currently doing "Odyssey of the Mind" - working with 6 other students and a teacher towards a creative competition and is expecting to make it to Nationals. Love her optimism :-)
• Loves to sing - in the shower, walking around with her iPod, in the car, laying in bed…anywhere! And sings nice and loud!
• Smarty pants getting 100% on almost all of her tests in 3rd grade
• Loves getting dressed up for events and doing her hair way more fancy than I could ever imagine doing my own hair
• Still the princess amongst the crazy brothers

Carson:

• Is more excited about Christmas than anybody else
• Loves making crafts and letters and pictures for our elf, Alvin, to get on his good side so Santa will bring him the most gifts
• Has taken over our computer/craft room…self-entertains for hours with markers, coloring pages, glue, popsicle sticks
• Loves anything Legos, but especially Lego Chima
• Played T-ball and is starting Basketball
• Has more friends than anyone else I know
• Super scholar and leader in his Kindergarten class

Logan:

• Started the year off as a sweet and innocent 2 year old
• Turned 3 in November and has decided he doesn't want to be quite as sweet
• Loves hosting Music Makers at our home every Wednesday
• Keeps us laughing -- Says the funniest and cutest and wittiest things ever
• Loves his alone time with Mom and Dad in the evenings. He lays in bed til everyone else is asleep and then comes looking for me and wants an apple cut up and then wants to hang out and chat. I need to stop this…
• Potty trained!!!

Lorile:

• Staying busy being a proud mom and trying to keep up with the hustle and bustle of our lives
• Serving in church as the 16-17 year old young women teacher
• Missing my early morning seminary calling but happy to have more time and not have to get up at 5:00 am 
• Love Volunteering in kids' classrooms 
• Attempting to lead a "balanced" life

I'm sure I have missed some key happenings and things from our lives this year, but this is at least a taste of what is going on. Hope all is well with your family! Merry Christmas! And Happy New Year!