We didn't send out a Christmas card last year, and decided last minute to do the easy way and just post a Christmas Letter blog with a current picture of us and just a few updates.
Gosh, where to even begin... it was another good year that flew by way too fast.
We started the year and spent much of the winter with Isaiah wresting in various tournaments around the area. He and Brian really enjoyed their time together, and Isaiah met some really great people and new friends along the way. They also enjoyed some time together ice fishing. Don't worry, no one was cold or uncomfortable, as Brian has all the warm and fun stuff needed for long days on the ice (heater, ice shack, vexilar, the whole bit...) If you ever want to go out for a day, just give him a call!
Winter proved to be rather hard for me, as I slipped into some depression and found myself just a little lost (again). After spending lots of time in bed and lacking much ambition for anything, I was very grateful for the arrival of spring and slowly got myself back up and out there, and was slowly able to get myself into a little bit better of a place.
With spring came the excitement of getting to get back to the campground and getting everything cleaned up and our camper opened back up and ready for the season. It was so good to be back! We had a great summer camping, boating, fishing, hanging out as a family, and hanging out with all our camping friends. We absolutely cherish our time and memories made at the lake.
Isaiah also played baseball this summer on a 5th grade team, so we spent lots to time in the bleachers watching him. Bailey also played some slow pitch this summer and we got to also watch him and his team play. Yup, I was an official #baseballmom this summer!
We decided to take a small vacation this summer and headed to Minneapolis for a few days. We stayed downtown and got to experience a MN Twins baseball game (yup -we got to witness the epic triple play live in person!). We went to the Mall of America where ate at the Wallburgers restaurant, got cupcakes from Carlo's Bakery, and hung out in Legoland, We also went to the zoo, and hiked, and Isaiah and I even got to run in a huge 5k race with 5,000 other runners that started right by our hotel. You can read about that adventure HERE. On the way home, we of course had to take in all the candies at the Worlds Largest Candy Store, and then spent a few last days just relaxing at the camper.
Suddenly it was fall and Isaiah was heading off to the 6th grade in the big Middle School building over in Alton. New school building, new bus routes, new kids in his class, new teachers... but we worked really hard at it and the transition all went pretty well, and he is absolutely loving it now. He also decided to join the band this fall, so we now have another baritonist in the family. He is having two lessons a week right now and is really learning quickly. He is excited to join the rest of his class in the "full band" practices and concerts after Christmas break.
Isaiah also played football this fall and got to go out and do some hunting with big brother Bailey (I'm not quite sure who was more excited about these outings). To date, Bailey is the only one who has come home with anything - but the season is not over! I have no fear that our freezer will not be full again by the end of January.
In September my parents, Bailey, Isaiah, and I packed up the car and headed to Cedar Rapids for a fun little trip together. Bailey, Isaiah, and I ran in the Kickoff to Kennick 5k race - which ended with us running under/through the stadium and coming out right on Kennick field where we crossed the finish line on the 50 yard line! It was cool and raining, and it was Bailey's first ever 5k... On the way home we stopped to check out the Grotto and enjoyed a little picnic lunch there, just like when we were kids growing up and traveling on vacation. It is a trip and experience I will never forget!
In October Brian and I got to take a long weekend away to the Black Hills together. I ran in the Crazy Horse 5k (Saturday) and Half Marathon (Sunday). We stayed in a great little apartment in Hill City and got to see the trees changing, it was so beautiful. We also drove the Needles Hwy, hiked to the Cathedral Spires, hiked to the top of Harney Peak (yes, the same day as my half marathon ~LOL), did wine tasting, toured Deadwood (where Brian won big on the penny slot machine), went to Mt Rushmore and just enjoyed a few days off from work and being away from any responsibilities (Thank you to my parents for taking on Isaiah and both dogs while we were gone #neveragain #lol)
Currently Isaiah is back to a busy wresting practice and tournament schedule, Bailey has been busy busy with harvest all fall, and added snow removal to his schedule at the first snow fall.
And here we are, the Christmas tree is up and the decorations out around the house. The gifts are all bought and wrapped (well as long as I stop buying any more they are anyway), and while I am still fighting off a little bit of the hardness and ache I always have at the holidays, I am ready to celebrate.
And ... a quick update on all of us.
Brian:
Still co-owner and busy working for J&B Custom Carpentry. They had a fun year full of lots of various projects. You can follow their work on facebook - click HERE. And if you are ever in need of anything (big or small) give him a call! He is busy with Isaiah and his wrestling, he is still a lover of all things camo and is off to hunt and fish absolutely whenever possible. He is currently eagerly waiting for the ice to get thick enough to get out there and ice fish again. Oh, and I should also mention he turned the big 4-0 in November #wink ;-). Also this fall, he got to cross something off his bucket list when we went to see comedian Bill Engvall live.
Sara:
Last spring I took a job at Staples Promotional Products and got to get back into the Art Dept as an Art Administrator. I've been back for a year and a half already, and just loving it. I am also still doing some cupcakes on the side whenever I can fit them in (be sure to message if you ever need any!). I am still very passionate about health and fitness and spend a lot of time running. (I try to always be training for something.) I trained to do a progressive 4 for the 4th run in July, and fell and injured my ankle about a mile in to my ten mile run. I did complete the 10 mile race and went on to finish the Half Marathon the following morning, but it's been a long road of recovery since, and I'm pretty sure my ankle will never be 100% again. You can read about that HERE. I ran several 5k's, 10k's, and half marathons this year, and I'm currently training for another progressive 4 day challenge in January (5k, 10k, Half Marathon, Full Marathon 4 days in a row). You can read about that HERE. We shall see if this is something I will be able to complete or not... I teach a fun and very energetic group of 2nd Graders on Wednesday night at church. (Well, I'm not sure how much they are actually learning, but hopefully they are at least feeling well loved #smile). When I'm not working, caking, training, mom-ing, wife-ing, etc I still love to take photos, scrapbook, read, and blog.
Bailey:
Bailey works full time for Kuiken Farms where he drives semi hauling cattle and helps around the farm and fields as needed. He also helps out hauling milk at Roorda Dairy on occasion, and also has his own shop and storage business called Moonlite Garage. During the winter you can also usually find him out and about in a skid loader clearing snow in the area. He is 22 and living in Alton. He enjoyed boating and slow pitch this summer, and made it to the lake camping a few times. He also went on vacation with my parents camping at Starbuck, MN this summer and had a great time! He has a super loyal dog named Hinstley, and he still loves all things camo as well. He is also out hunting whenever he has the time. We love having him stop over and hanging out with us, and I just love the picts of the sunsets and sunrises he sends me quite often.
Isaiah:
Isaiah is 11 and in the 6th grade. He is busy in school and enjoying sports. He loves legos and PlayStation and watching tv shows like Dude Perfect, How It's Make, Mythbusters and America's Funniest Home Videos. He volunteered at the library this summer and loved getting to take his bike there and back and just having some larger freedoms and responsibilities.
Piper and Lily:
This fall we had to make the hard decision to move Lily to my parents house. Here we thought she was going to be long gone two years ago already, and here she is, still alive and doing really well actually. However, she was just not being very nice to Piper and we were at a bit of a loss as to what to do. While we are sad and miss her in our house terribly, it is so nice getting to see her any time we stop at my parents, and to say that my parents are loving her well is an understatement.
We want to wish all of you and your families a very Merry Christmas.
We pray that you can all find some time to reflect over the past year and count all your many blessings. We also hope that you are able to find moments of true joy and happiness this season. The holidays are a tricky time of year for most of us, and not always quite as joyful and happy as the tvs and social media portray. It is our sincere hope and prayer that everyone will be touched by God's grace and goodness this season, and that the coming year will bring you blessings beyond your wildest imagination.
Blessings and hugs from our family to yours
Brian, Sara, Bailey & Isaiah
{ Next blog post "Keep the Focus 2020" HERE }
{ Previous blog post "Endurance Outside the Box - Inside the House" HERE }
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