Our Christmas Card - Better Late Than Never!

I'm totally cheating.  I didn't send out Christmas cards this year.  I really meant to, but it just never came together.   Besides, we haven't had a family picture taken since 2008 and I think Christmas cards need a family picture.  (I'm on it for 2012!)  I had Sadie draw this lovely rendition of us so at least you can get a pretty good idea of what we all look like right now:

Our most recent family picture - by Sadie, December 2011

Here are a few highlights of our year:

• We drove to Idaho, Utah and Nevada and spent over two weeks visiting family and various landmarks.  We were just shy of 5000 miles round trip, a new record for us.  
• Sam's voice dropped 3 octaves and he is now mistaken for Jeff instead of Missy when he answers the phone.  He loves plants, especially cacti and carnivorous varieties.  (Age 15)
• Savannah got glasses and braces and started High School - welcome to the awkward teenage phase. She has graduated to contacts and looks forward to getting her braces off in a few weeks. Jeff and Missy are happy that she cannot date for two years. She has a beautiful voice and is amazing on the piano!  (Age 14)
• Spencer was ordained a Deacon at church and graduated to the Young Men program.  He also quit 7th grade and now enjoys school from home. (Age 12)
• Sterling composed his first orchestra piece, March of the Victorians, in about three days and is currently writing in the individual instrument parts. He also enjoys writing stories. Sterling still loves all things Lego and has an unstoppable imagination. (Age 10)
• Soren was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while we were vacationing in Idaho.  He is our resident Pokemon expert and has designed some original Pokemon of his own.  (Age 8)
• Sadie runs the house and keeps us all in line.  She is a great reader and loves to help daddy with whatever he is doing.  She is losing teeth left and right and loves first grade and elephants.  (Age 6)
• Jeff was promoted to Full Professor.  He is currently rated 4.8 out of 5.0 on ratemyprofessors.com and has a chili pepper by his name because he's so hot! He enjoys working on projects to improve our home and recently turned an unfinished storage closet into a beautiful office/plant nursery for Sam.
• Missy keeps herself busy doing the typical mom things - mostly cooking, cleaning, laundry, and forcing kids to practice instruments against their will - but is also enjoying a new adventure as the Young Women president at church.  She has decided that homework should be abolished and makes it through the school year by looking forward to each day off.  

We are looking forward to a great new year.  We hope 2012 is your best year so far!

Cheers, 

The Stowell Family